Results 3,041-3,060 of 13,254 for speaker:Seán Sherlock

Topical Issue Debate: Health and Safety Regulations (16 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: Okay. I take the point. I understand that the National Poisons Information Centre was in contact with the Health and Safety Authority, HSA, as the competent authority for detergent regulations last August to September, as it was concerned about the number of incidents reported - as highlighted by the Deputy - involving children and liquid detergent tablets. More than 50% of the inquiries...

Topical Issue Debate: Health and Safety Regulations (16 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: Again, I fully acknowledge the points made by the Deputy. It is fair to say – I speak objectively – that the HSA is quite fastidious in terms of how it approaches matters such as this one. The Government is happy to allow the HSA to continue to work with the National Poisons Information Centre to monitor and review progress on the voluntary product stewardship programme. If...

Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (16 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time". I will briefly outline the principal objectives of the Bill. The primary changes extend the remit of Science Foundation Ireland, SFI. Through funding supports via our higher education institutions, SFI will be able to fund applied research as well as continuing to support oriented basic research. This will allow SFI to take the outcome...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: School Closures (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 5 together. The report of the value for money review of small primary schools is being finalised and it is expected that it will be submitted formally to the Minister for Education and Skills shortly. I understand the Minister intends to bring the report to Cabinet for discussion and consideration prior to its publication. The Government's response...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: School Closures (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I note the issues raised by the Deputy. The review commenced in October 2010 under the Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government and such value for money reviews are part and parcel of governance within the State. It is important that we try to ensure as we best we can that the ethos of rural schools is maintained in the context of the positive impact they have on their communities.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: School Closures (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I again acknowledge the Deputy's concerns in this regard and I reiterate that the report is being finalised. It has, therefore, not been completed and the concerns raised by both Deputies should form part of the policy outcome. However, no final policy decision has been made.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: School Closures (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: It is not right for Deputies to up the rhetoric on this issue when a final decision has not yet been made. In the case of rural schools with only a small number of pupils, it is eminently reasonable and sensible to proceed with amalgamations when they can be achieved through a process of consensus. The annual savings to be achieved are available for everyone to see. The budget measures set...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: State Examinations Issues (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: The State Examinations Commission, SEC, has statutory responsibility for the certificate examinations. A waiver from spelling and grammar can be provided to candidates with special educational needs under the scheme of reasonable accommodations in the certificate examinations, RACE. A devolved system is in place for the junior certificate examinations. Schools can recommend the granting of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: State Examinations Issues (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: Perhaps the Deputy will submit a parliamentary question on the case to which he referred or raise it directly with the Minister to have it examined. In cases where a parent or student is dissatisfied with any aspect of a decision by the State Examinations Commission, he or she may appeal to an independent appeals committee whose members are drawn from outside the commission. The remit of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: State Examinations Issues (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: The Deputy raises an issue in the context of the transition from junior to leaving certificate in terms of one being a devolved system while the other is independent. There seems to be a question regarding the need for further clarification on that transition in the context of how the two-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: State Examinations Issues (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: -----systems operate. The Deputy indicated that he has referred the particular case involved to the Minister, Deputy Quinn. If he could refer it again-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: State Examinations Issues (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: -----I will revert to him on the matter.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: University Sector (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: The national strategy for higher education outlines a range of actions aimed at enhancing teaching and the learning experience of all students. Last November the Minister announced the establishment of the national forum for the enhancement of teaching and learning, which will provide a platform for progressing key actions such as the development of innovative pedagogies, better supports for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: University Sector (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: With respect, I hope I understand the Deputy's question. If he is expressing concerns in respect of the focus on teaching, I am not quite clear from where his underlying assumption that there are issues around teaching within the third level sector comes. Perhaps I missed something in that regard. There is a national strategy in respect of teaching in the higher education sector. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: University Sector (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: The straight answer to the Deputy's question on mining data is that such data is already available.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: University Sector (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I was just about to say that measuring teaching outcomes from either a quantitative or qualitative point of view is quite challenging, particularly in view of the different academic ethos which obtains within the various higher education institutions. One way to try to ensure more efficient outcomes from a teaching point of view is to consider professional academic development and the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: School Curriculum (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: The "Teachers' Voice" is a report based on the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland, ASTI's consultation with teachers on the new framework for junior cycle. It is valuable to have access to these findings, which are being considered within the Department. At the ASTI conference, the Minister, Deputy Quinn, made a point of commending the ASTI for the content of the report and the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: School Curriculum (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: The teachers' representative organisations are part of the educational partners consultation group and provide partners, including the ASTI, with a formal medium for assisting in the planning of the phased introduction of the junior cycle. This is proof of their involvement in a consultative process. Meetings are held approximately every month. At these, the partners have an opportunity to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: School Curriculum (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: There is pageantry and choreography to these setpiece events in the Chamber. As an Opposition spokesperson, there is a little jousting and political point scoring. That is fair enough, but every Deputy acknowledges the need for junior cycle reform and wants it to go the right way and to be based on consensus and consultation. There should be proper continuing professional development for...

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects Status (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: As the Deputy will be aware, there are two schools on this site, a junior school and a senior school, both of which have temporary accommodation in addition to their permanent structures and have applied to the Department for replacement permanent buildings. The next step to progressing a building project for the schools involves the appointment of a design team and the commencement of the...