Results 2,521-2,540 of 13,254 for speaker:Seán Sherlock

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2011)

Seán Sherlock: Why does the Deputy not talk about the legislation before us?

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2011)

Seán Sherlock: The Deputy should give us a critique of the legislation, as he sees it.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2011)

Seán Sherlock: Is that not laudable?

Seanad: Social Welfare Code (9 Nov 2011)

Seán Sherlock: Access to certain social insurance payments, which are based on PRSI contributions, differ between employees and the self-employed. While employees and the self-employed are liable to PRSI at the rate of 4%, employers also make a PRSI contribution of 10.75% in respect of employees, bringing the PRSI payment in respect of employees to a combined 14.75% rate per employee under the full class A...

Seanad: Social Welfare Code (9 Nov 2011)

Seán Sherlock: I am happy to make a submission in light of the concerns raised. The State has to be mindful of the cost of implementing such a scheme, in terms of deriving short-term benefits. I take the point made on the advisory group on tax and social welfare. I will refer the matter to the Minister, Deputy Burton. I respectfully suggest the Senator engage with the Minister. The Senator referred to a...

Seanad: Social Welfare Code (9 Nov 2011)

Seán Sherlock: I respectfully suggest that as the Senator has raised this matter on the Adjournment if she were to raise it again with the Minister he would respond. I will notify the Minister that it has been raised on the Adjournment.

Seanad: Waterford Institute of Technology (9 Nov 2011)

Seán Sherlock: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. The National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030, otherwise known as the Hunt report, lays out a clear possible development pathway for amalgamated institutes of technology, which meet specified performance criteria, to seek redesignation as technological universities. A small number of new technological universities, with their own legislative...

Seanad: Waterford Institute of Technology (9 Nov 2011)

Seán Sherlock: I acknowledge the legitimate concerns expressed by the Senator. The institute of technology sector of itself is very much engaged on those points, particularly in regard to the humanities and the social sciences side as they pertain to the sector. I am also confident those questions have arisen in the context of deliberations on the Hunt report. Nevertheless, I will convey the concerns...

Written Answers — Research Funding: Research Funding (15 Nov 2011)

Seán Sherlock: The Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI) was launched in 1998 and provides funding for third level research infrastructure, national shared facilities, and structured PhD programmes. The Programme is designed to facilitate Irish institutions to produce world-class research in science, technology, humanities and the social sciences, including business and law. To date,...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (15 Nov 2011)

Seán Sherlock: The total SFI expenditure over the period 2000-2010 and allocation for 2011 is shown in the table below. Year Capital/ Research grants ( €m ) Current expenditure/Pay ( € m) Administrative costs of running grant programmes ( €m ) Total(€m) 2000 0 0 0.40 0.40 2001 8.76 0.43 1.69 10.88 2002 31.00 0.90 3.10 35.00 2003 65.00 1.00 3.42 69.42 2004 108.59 1.32 3.82 113.73 2005 118.20...

Departmental Expenditure (16 Nov 2011)

Seán Sherlock: The Deputy is having a laugh.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio (16 Nov 2011)

Seán Sherlock: If the Deputy had been here an hour ago, the Minister would have given him the low-down.

School Curriculum (16 Nov 2011)

Seán Sherlock: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 48 together. The key recommendations in the report, including bonus points for higher level mathematics, professional development for teachers and the roll-out of Project Maths, are being progressed. Bonus points will be implemented from 2012. Project Maths began in all second level schools in September 2010, building on the experiences of 24 project...

School Curriculum (16 Nov 2011)

Seán Sherlock: One of the main recommendations related to bonus points. From next year there will be 25 bonus points for mathematics. There will also be a system of continuing professional development of teachers at primary and secondary level in the teaching of mathematics, including a professional masters degree and a part-time higher education diploma in mathematical education. Consideration has been...

Written Answers — Science Foundation Ireland: Science Foundation Ireland (16 Nov 2011)

Seán Sherlock: Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) typically makes research grants awards that are multi-annual in nature, typically spanning a three to five year period. The table below sets out the researcher numbers directly supported by SFI since 2006. Year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 No. of Researchers 1,362 1,909 2,812 3,225 2,999 c.3,000 Due to the wide range of variables that impact upon the...

Cloud Computing (22 Nov 2011)

Seán Sherlock: On 30 June, the Minister, Deputy Bruton, announced the establishment of a cross-Government implementation group on cloud computing. This group, which is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, comprises representatives of Departments and agencies responsible for all aspects of cloud computing policy, IT procurement, security, infrastructure and enterprise policy. The group last...

Cloud Computing (22 Nov 2011)

Seán Sherlock: Our job is to engage with the centre for management and organisation development, CMOD. The Government acknowledges the possibilities of this. One could say work is ongoing on making the ICT infrastructure more user friendly. There will be challenges, potentially in regard to industrial relations peace, but I believe strongly that through proper engagement with all the stakeholders across...

Cloud Computing (22 Nov 2011)

Seán Sherlock: I did not quite get the last point.

Cloud Computing (22 Nov 2011)

Seán Sherlock: I am not aware of such problems. I say that openly and honestly. Research is ongoing and the centre is in the process of developing a cloud computing strategy for the public service, which it intends to bring to the Government for consideration and approval in the first quarter of 2012. If a specific issue arises, I would love to hear the Deputy's thoughts.

Cloud Computing (22 Nov 2011)

Seán Sherlock: I fundamentally disagree with the Deputy. If he is willing to show me the source of the statistics he cited, I will revert to him on the matter.