Results 25,401-25,420 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Placement (7 Sep 2018)

Richard Bruton: Every year, my Department ensures that there is a school place or adequate educational provision for every child in the country. This includes meeting the September 2018 accommodation needs of primary school pupils in the Ashbourne area. My Department has had extensive engagement with the relevant stakeholders in relation to the immediate needs in the Ashbourne area. My Department is also...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (7 Sep 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 383 and 384 together. The current position on the contributions made by the religious congregations is set out in the attached update provided to the Public Accounts Committee at the end of July and which is also published on the Department's website.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (7 Sep 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government recently announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022), including a new 600 pupil post-primary school to be established in 2019 to serve the Drogheda school planning area (in which Duleek is located) and Laytown school planning area as a regional solution. This announcement follows nationwide,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (7 Sep 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy will be aware, I recently announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022), including a new 8 classroom primary school to serve the Dunshaughlin school planning area to be established in 2019. This announcement follows nationwide, demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (7 Sep 2018)

Richard Bruton: The project to which the Deputy refers has been approved and devolved for delivery to the local Education and Training Board (ETB) under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme. The design team that the ETB has appointed for this project is currently preparing tender documentation. The completion of this documentation will allow the process of tendering for the completion of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (7 Sep 2018)

Richard Bruton: I wish to confirm to the Deputy that my Department will continue to participate in the OECDs learning environments evaluation programme and a letter was issued to the OECD on 29thAugust confirming this.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Data (7 Sep 2018)

Richard Bruton: This Government is committed to ensuring every child with special educational needs has the opportunity to fulfil their full potential. In 2018, almost €1.8 billion will be invested in Special Education, nearly one fifth of the overall Education budget, and up 43% since 2011. The Department's policy is to provide for the inclusive education of children with special educational needs...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (7 Sep 2018)

Richard Bruton: The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2b (Detailed Design), which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. In June 2018, the school and its design team was authorised to commence the prequalification process to select a shortlist of contractors for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Insurance Coverage (7 Sep 2018)

Richard Bruton: Responsibility for procurement of insurance and payment of same rests with Boards of Management and the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) in respect of schools operated by them. If a particular school has a query in relation to the cost of insurance it should raise this directly with its insurance provider. Boards of Management and ETBs should take a proactive approach when it comes...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Equipment (7 Sep 2018)

Richard Bruton: The decision to use tablet devices is a matter for the Board of Management of a school. Where the introduction of new technology is planned, consultation with members of the school community including parents is advised. The cost and other implications must be fully considered by the Boards of Managements before a decision is made. An advice sheet on the adoption of tablets in schools is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Funding (7 Sep 2018)

Richard Bruton: Capitation funding is intended to contribute towards the cost of heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep and general teaching aids required in schools. Capitation grants are paid on a per pupil basis. Special enhanced capitation rates are paid in respect of pupils with special needs who attend special schools or primary special classes dedicated to children with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (7 Sep 2018)

Richard Bruton: The current position with the contributions made by religious congregations is set out in the update which was provided to the Public Accounts Committee at the end of July and which is also published on my Department's website. The update can be found at

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions Entry Requirements (18 Sep 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together. Universities in Ireland are autonomous institutions under the Universities Act, 1997. The entry requirements and selection criteria for entry to academic programmes, including medicine, is a matter for, and at the discretion of, each higher education institution. This applies to both EU and non-EU students. In relation to EU...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (18 Sep 2018)

Richard Bruton: It is estimated that the average cost per annum to the State of a medical student is c. €11,000. This takes into account State grant and tuition fee funding paid by the State (where appropriate). It excludes the Student Contribution of €3,000 which is paid by the student, or paid on behalf of the student in cases where the student qualifies for assistance under my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (18 Sep 2018)

Richard Bruton: My Department has responsibility for the management of the State's response to residential institutional child abuse, this includes the coordination of the engagement with religious congregations that managed many of the residential institutions involved, particularly in relation to the receipt of contributions towards the very substantial costs incurred by the State in responding to the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Advisers Data (18 Sep 2018)

Richard Bruton: There are currently five special advisers engaged at my Department. The following tabular statement gives details of the Ministers concerned, the name of the appointees, the date they took up duty and where appropriate, the date they ceased employment. In accordance with the terms of the Ethics Acts a copy of their respective contracts of employment have been laid before the Houses of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (18 Sep 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy is aware, a project to deliver permanent accommodation for the school to which she refers is included in my Department’s Capital programme. Officials in my Department continue to liaise with officials in Fingal County Council in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the identification and acquisition of a suitable location for the school in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (18 Sep 2018)

Richard Bruton: The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an early stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(a) - Developed Design. During this stage, the agreed preferred design is fully developed in preparation for seeking statutory approvals and with accurate cost plans. The Design Team for this school is currently preparing Stage 2(a) documentation. Upon...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Supply (18 Sep 2018)

Richard Bruton: In the last two years we have hired 5,000 additional new teachers. It is the case that many teachers who would have been available to carry out substitution work are now gaining permanent and long term contracts. I am aware of reports that some schools are experiencing difficulties in finding substitute teachers. In order to ease the situation, in the last school year I suspended the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (18 Sep 2018)

Richard Bruton: The current entry level qualification for Special Needs Assistants is set out in my department's circular 0021/2011 which requires a FETAC level 3 major qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications, OR a minimum of three grade Ds in the Junior Certificate, OR the Equivalent. This remains unchanged. The Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme which set out...