Results 25,181-25,200 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Establishment (10 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy is aware, a project to provide permanent accommodation for the school in question is included on my Department's Capital Programme. Officials in my Department continue to liaise with officials in the relevant local authority in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the acquisition of a suitable site for this school.  Discussions with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (10 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy will be aware, a project for the school in question is included in my Department's 6 Year Construction Programme. I understand that the technical assessment process in respect of the project (to include the extension, refurbishment and prefab replacement) has been completed and the Project Brief is now being finalised. In that context, my Department will be in further...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Recruitment (10 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Free Education Scheme (10 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: To answer the Deputy, the majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools in the Free Education Scheme receive capitation grant assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services. Capitation related grants are issued to the majority of primary and post-primary schools to employ such staff.  Within the capitation grant schemes, it is a matter for each...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (10 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: On 29th May of this year, I published the Review of Eligibility of Persons to access the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (“Caranua”).  The Review shows clearly that the monies available to Caranua will be fully spent for the group of former residents whom the fund was originally targeted.  It is clear also that the fund is not going to be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (10 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: My Department is liaising with the Patron to identify the accommodation needs of the schools to which the Deputy refers pending the delivery of their new school buildings.  I met with the Principals of the schools recently and I was glad to be able to give them assurances that their needs in this regard will be met. Since the liquidation of the contractor for the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (10 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: I recognise the need to improve capitation funding for schools having regard to the reductions that were necessary over recent years. Restoring capitation funding as resources permit is one of the actions included in the Action Plan for Education and I remain committed to achieving this. However, I must be prudent in the context of ongoing budgetary pressures and prioritise where it is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Services Staff (10 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: To answer the Deputy, the majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools in the Free Education Scheme receive capitation grant assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services. Capitation related grants are issued to the majority of primary and post-primary schools to employ such staff.  Within the capitation grant schemes, it is a matter for each...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (10 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The project to which the Deputy refers is being delivered by the Office of Public Works (OPW). The OPW recently finalised work with ESBI on the undergrounding of electrical cables. The OPW tendered these works and have now issued a letter of intent to award a contract to the preferred bidder. The works are expected to commence in the coming weeks and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (10 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: My Department understands that the demolition of the HSE building in question is unlikely to be halted. The school referred to by the Deputy has recently advised my Department that an alternative area of land which is under the ownership of the HSE may be available. I understand that the school is exploring this directly with the HSE and that they will keep my Department updated with any...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Services Staff (10 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: To answer the Deputy, the majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools in the Free Education Scheme receive capitation grant assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services. Capitation related grants are issued to the majority of primary and post-primary schools to employ such staff.  Within the capitation grant schemes, it is a matter for each...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (10 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: A building project for the new post-primary school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s current 6 year construction programme. As the Deputy is aware, officials from my Department have been working closely with Limerick City and County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of school sites in order to identify and procure a suitable site...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (10 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 271 together. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for determining the appropriate staffing levels in relation to the support of pupils with special educational needs in special schools, in accordance with the policies of my Department. Enhanced pupil teacher and SNA ratios are provided to special schools to support them in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Facilities (10 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: In relation to the issue of the charging of fees by schools, the position is that apart from those recognised fee-charging second level schools, recognised primary and post primary schools are precluded from charging school fees. Voluntary contributions by parents are, however, permissible provided it is made absolutely clear to parents that there is no question of compulsion to pay and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Grievance Procedures (10 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: Under the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. Accordingly, any legal proceedings taken by a board of management are a matter for the board in question.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (10 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The school building for the project referred to by the Deputy was handed over for occupation on 1 September 2017. However, as part of the contract for this project, there remain some outstanding works at the adjacent GAA Club including completion of the all-weather pitch and reinstatement work to the car park. There are also a number of snags to be resolved in the school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (10 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school.  The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in Department Circular 0030/2014, which...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (10 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that the school was advised in August 2016 that my Department is not in a position to provide funding for a school hall due to the necessity to prioritise funding for essential classroom accommodation to meet demographic need. The Deputy will be aware that under the National Development Plan (NDP), increased funding has been provided for the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (10 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school to which he refers is included in my Department's Capital Programme. My Department is currently finalising the project brief with the aim of progressing the project into the architectural planning process. My Department will be in direct contact with the school's patron in this regard.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (10 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: In April, 2015, my Department approved an all-in-devolved grant for the provision of 2 mainstream classrooms and a WC for assisted users for the school in question. The additional accommodation was to be provided on a stand-alone basis. The project proceeded to tender without reverting to my Department as required under the terms and conditions of the Scheme. In addition, the Board of...