Results 3,061-3,080 of 13,254 for speaker:Seán Sherlock

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

Seán Sherlock: The Deputy should make the request.

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

Seán Sherlock: The Deputy should make the request in writing. It is on the record. The Deputy will appreciate that the demographic issue is clear. His situation in Lucan is not untypical of other parts of the country, including my area where there are serious demographic demands. There is a feeling among existing schools that they have been bypassed in favour of the creation of new schools. However,...

Other Questions: Schools Mental Health Strategies (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 34, 48 and 59 together. The promotion of student well-being and positive mental health strategies in schools is a key aim of my Department. Accordingly, the Minister, Deputy Quinn, has directed my Department's support services to review and prioritise support for schools on the guidelines for mental health promotion which he launched recently with my...

Other Questions: Schools Mental Health Strategies (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I accept the point the Deputy is making. Perhaps it is a commentary on life in this country at present for people who are unemployed, employed or in specific professions that the level of stress has increased dramatically. We have had a recession for more than five years at this stage and that takes its toll. Decisions have been made on budgetary issues pertaining to education involving a...

Other Questions: Schools Mental Health Strategies (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: There is common ground here. What has amazed me since becoming Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills two years ago is the well-spring of initiatives in schools and the level of cohesion between teachers and pupils in their collaboration on such projects. We all acknowledge that and I accept the point that we should examine some of these projects to determine whether we...

Other Questions: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: The Department currently spends some €1.3 billion or 15% of its budget in support of children with special educational needs, including those with autism. Many children with autism are supported in mainstream schools where they are integrated with other children, including those with other special educational needs. These children have access to additional resource teaching hours and...

Other Questions: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue, which is specific to his area. Department officials and I would be very interested to hear how the process with the VEC could take shape, with a view to engaging further in the process. If we are talking about a very specific geographical location, my own view - without being in full possession of the facts of the case made by the Deputy - is that...

Other Questions: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: If the Deputy could make a request to the senior Minister, I will refer to the fact that the issue was raised in the House, along with the matter raised by Deputy Keating.

Other Questions: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I acknowledge each of the contributions. It is important to state that there are 540 autism-specific classes approved throughout the country. There are specific pockets where there are shortages or where issues may need to be addressed. They can be raised through this forum and on the floor of the House but also by way of direct representations to the Minister for Education and Skills,...

Other Questions: School Patronage (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 12 together. The surveys of parental preferences were undertaken largely in towns and suburbs. It was also open to parents of preschool or primary school children in rural areas or rural schools to participate in the surveys. The purpose of the surveys was to establish if parents want a more diverse range of primary school patrons in their area....

Other Questions: School Patronage (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: The surveys were conducted in 43 areas across the country. We have taken the responses to those surveys and are acting accordingly. There is a process underway with the existing patrons to consider the options. There is a timeframe for responses. The small schools issue has not been decided yet so the link with this issue is incongruous. The accusation of hypocrisy, therefore, does not...

Other Questions: School Patronage (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: None of us is averse to a bit of political banter from time to time but the purpose of this set-piece is to get to the nub of the questions. Following the recent publication of the results of the survey on primary school patronage, the Minister has written to the Catholic patrons in the 23 areas where parental demand for change has been confirmed in the most recent surveys. A total of 43...

Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: The researchers funded by Science Foundation Ireland, SFI, are connected to close to 650 distinct companies that employ more than 90,000 people in Ireland. These researchers also leverage significant research funding from non-Exchequer sources, such as the EU and industry, usually in the order of €80 million to €90 million per annum. The SFI also supports more than 20...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Higher Education Institutions Issues (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I propose to take Questions Nos.10 and 32 together. As you are aware, the Higher Education Authority last year published "Towards a Future Higher Education Landscape". They invited submissions from institutions and commissioned expert analyses with a view to providing me with formal advice on an outline future configuration of the higher education system. This will include advice on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staffing (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I acknowledge the challenges faced by schools in managing the overall impact on teacher allocation to schools as a result of budgetary measures over the last 4 years. In the most recent budget the Government confined such measures to the fee-charging sector and protected schools in the free scheme from any changes in pupil-teacher ratios. It is also worth noting that, unlike almost all other...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staffing (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: The health and safety of school staff and pupils is a fundamental aspect of the day-to-day management of schools. My Department has a role in supporting schools in relation to how they discharge those responsibilities. The survey conducted by IMPACT can be valuable in informing best practice in schools and I hope it will be made available to my Department and others. On receipt of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Vocational Education Committees Staff (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: The persons to whom the Deputy refers were paid by each of the 33 VECs and the information requested is held by each VEC, not centrally by my Department. Officials from my Department have contacted the VECs and will forward the information to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Physical Education (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: Physical education, PE, is a mandatory subject in all primary schools. The PE curriculum includes six strands that provide a balanced physical education programme. The strands are: Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics, Games, Outdoor and adventure activities, and Aquatics. My Department also supports the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme which is a mandatory requirement at...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Reform (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 29 together. The Deputy will be aware that, following agreement in principle by the Government to broaden the current means testing arrangements for student grants by way of inclusion of the value of capital assets, Minister Quinn set up a dedicated implementation group to bring forward detailed proposals. The Minister has received a draft report...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Guidance Counsellors (17 Apr 2013)

Seán Sherlock: The Minister for Education and Skills has already acknowledged to the House that bringing guidance within quota is challenging for schools. However the alternative was to adjust the PTR staffing allocations. The budget decision sheltered the impact for all DEIS post-primary schools by improving their standard staffing allocations. There are no plans to review this decision. It is important...