Results 341-360 of 34,777 for speaker:Seán Fleming

Education Cuts: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Seán Fleming: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate.

Education Cuts: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Seán Fleming: It is somewhat unreal to participate in this debate, particularly in light of recent comments in the media by people involved with the teachers' unions and by members of the public. Everyone is aware that there will be a shortfall in tax revenues this year. Nevertheless, the Government has provided €9.6 billion in the Estimates for 2009. It may be a surprise for some to discover that this...

Education Cuts: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Seán Fleming: At present, there are approximately 60,000 teachers and 20,000 individuals working with children with special needs. This represents an increase of 60% in the number of staff in our classrooms in ten years, which is an outstanding achievement. People are aware of the figures relating to special needs but some do not like hearing them. There are some 19,000 adults in our schools who work...

Education Cuts: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Seán Fleming: The reason for this is straightforward. One need only walk through one's constituency to realise that the numbers of people coming to Ireland from elsewhere is decreasing.

Education Cuts: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Seán Fleming: Not only are the numbers decreasing but many people, particularly those from eastern European countries, are returning home.

Education Cuts: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Seán Fleming: As a result, fewer children require language support services than was the case two years ago. I am of the view that such services should be temporary in nature and should be aimed at ensuring children have adequate English to allow them to fully integrate with their peers.

Education Cuts: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Seán Fleming: Language support services should not be available on a permanent basis. The idea that children need special education in the English language over a five or six-year period would be an indictment of the teachers who provide the service.

Education Cuts: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Seán Fleming: The children in question only require assistance for a year or two before they can become fully integrated. There will still be 1,400 teaching staff involved in the provision of language support and the needs of individual schools will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. The capitation grant, which incorporates matters such as changes to the book grant, has been increased. We are...

Education Cuts: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Seán Fleming: People should not be scaremongering on this issue in respect of what will be the position in 2009. It should be remembered that classes will be no bigger than was the case two years ago. Comment has been lacking in this debate on the most important aspect of a child's education, namely, the quality of the teacher who provides it. The debate has focused solely on the quantity of teachers.

Education Cuts: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Seán Fleming: The Government is committed to working with its partners in education to improve the educational outcomes for all students. It comes down to the quality of the education on offer as opposed to the quantity of people in classrooms. People have been complaining about the schools building programme but it is proceeding apace.

Education Cuts: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Seán Fleming: The summer works scheme will return next year and the devolved grants scheme is also due to proceed. We will produce a county-by-county list in the near future if Deputies so desire.

Education Cuts: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Seán Fleming: There is a great deal of activity in this area. I commend the Government amendment to the House and I look forward to progress being made with teachers, parents and students in 2009.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (5 Nov 2008)

Seán Fleming: Question 323: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a citizen from Switzerland who is living here for some time is eligible to be considered for social housing; if there are specific rules or regulations to prevent this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38623/08]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (13 Nov 2008)

Seán Fleming: Question 193: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if, in respect of people who are in receipt of disability allowance, they automatically become entitled to the contributory State pension; if not, if they can make arrangements to pay PRSI contributions during their lifetime in order that they will have an entitlement to the contributory State pension; and if she will make a...

Written Answers — Joint Policing Committees: Joint Policing Committees (19 Nov 2008)

Seán Fleming: Question 194: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in relation to the joint policing committees in local authority areas, there will be duplication of the roles of these committees between the county committees and the committees covered by areas that were formerly town councils that operate within the local authority area; and if he will make a...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (25 Nov 2008)

Seán Fleming: I welcome the opportunity to speak on Second Stage of the Finance Bill. I acknowledge the important steps taken by the Minister in bringing forward the budget at an earlier date this year and thereby ensuring the Finance Bill will be debated in the cool light of day at this time of the year. The budget is usually announced in early December and we would all go away and forget about it and...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (25 Nov 2008)

Seán Fleming: This is termed as "patronage". I would hope elected public representatives engage more with public service bodies, be they national or local. I cannot understand the argument that there is something wrong with the democratic involvement of Ministers in activities in their Departments. I understand the criticism of Ministers not being involved in their Departments, not supporting policy...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (25 Nov 2008)

Seán Fleming: Question 416: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of issues that can be taken into consideration for a person to be granted a payment under the occupational injury benefit scheme; the way these matters are assessed and by whom; if she will outline the medical qualification of assessors; if reports from the applicant's medical consultants are given full or partial...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (2 Dec 2008)

Seán Fleming: Question 291: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the circumstances and discussion that took place between the Reception and Integration Agency and a person (details supplied) in respect of their moving out of the direct provision centre in County Wicklow and the circumstances involved; if the person continues to be eligible to qualify for direct provision; and if he...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (2 Dec 2008)

Seán Fleming: Question 371: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a scheme (details supplied) in County Laois will be given approval to go to contract and invite tenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43800/08]