Results 501-520 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Higher Education. (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The Institute of Technology Tallaght, which is the smallest such institute in Ireland, has submitted a list of projects which would cost €71.5 million to complete. The Deputy will be able to imagine from that the level of expenditure required by the approximately 20 institutes of technology. If we do this, we should do it correctly. I hope to have the report soon. Once I have it, I will...

Departmental Costs. (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The matter referred to by the Deputy is subject to inquiries by the Standards in Public Office Commission. When the commission has completed its inquiries, any actions suggested or recommendations made will be complied with fully.

Departmental Costs. (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I have a difficulty. In its wisdom, the House decided that incidents like this should be referred to the Standards in Public Office Commission. In the good old days the Minister would be answerable to the House when the Opposition put down questions. However, all Members are entitled to defend themselves under the double jeopardy clause.

Departmental Costs. (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I am entitled to wait until the Standards in Public Office Commission makes its findings. I do not wish to be disrespectful to the House but I have provided all the information to the commission at its request. When it is finished making its inquiries, I will provide its findings to the House. I have given as much information as I can at this point. I do not intend to give further information...

Departmental Costs. (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I do not know how to answer that question. If Deputies are not aware that the Department of Education and Science makes available to Members whatever information it possibly can——

Departmental Costs. (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: ——then where have they been? This type of information, whether packaged or unpackaged, is available on request. Opposition Deputies frequently ask for briefings which departmental officials, using their own time, readily give to them. Should I start charging for that service? A sense of proportion has to be kept in all of this. If any Deputy has not received information from the...

Departmental Costs. (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The information was available in various departmental publications, in ministerial speeches and in answers to parliamentary questions. I was asked to collate the information and make it available. If people request information, it will be given to them, so long as it is available.

Departmental Costs. (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: We must wait to see if the Standards in Public Office Commission decides there is a problem that it went to representatives of the Fianna Fáil Party——

Departmental Costs. (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: ——or that it should not happen for all political parties. We will face an appalling vista if Departments are not in a position to make information available. It must be carefully considered.

Departmental Costs. (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: Those questions would be better left to the Standards in Public Office Commission.

Departmental Costs. (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I will be prepared to answer the questions when they are dealt with by the commission. I constantly get requests from individuals, political parties and the media for information. I regard it as my duty to answer any questions as fully as possible and I hope I can continue to do so. I make no distinction — and neither do any of my civil servants — between various sources of inquiry. I...

State Examinations. (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I am aware of the comments made by the acting general secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland. I share his view that in some cases grinds can be counterproductive when they interfere with normal school teaching and learning and may add to the pressure and panic in the run-up to the leaving certificate examinations. However, I recognise that in certain circumstances, such...

State Examinations. (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is responsible for making recommendations on the leaving certificate curriculum and examinations. Over 12 months ago, it instituted a consultation process on the leaving certificate examination which is now being finalised. Aspects of the leaving certificate have been changed and alternatives to the formal leaving certificate have been...

State Examinations. (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I have no idea how much grinds are costing parents or how much the grind school industry is worth. The advice I give to parents and students is that the leaving certificate is not the be all and end all. There are alternative routes to most jobs or courses. I also advise parents not to put undue pressure on young people who are studying for the leaving certificate. There are alternatives...

State Examinations. (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I have taken every opportunity to advance the cause of reform in education and of the leaving certificate. The Deputy has been present on some of these occasions. I have spoken to the NCCA to try to ensure it arrives at a speedy conclusion of its discussions and issues recommendations. The NCCA works on the basis of consensus so the process is quite slow. That is a disadvantage. Its...

Order of Business. (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The whole lot together makes up 12%.

Written Answers — Commissions of Inquiry: Commissions of Inquiry (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 55 and 113 together. Following the appointment of Mr. Justice Sean Ryan as chairperson designate of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, the Government requested that he carry out his own independent review of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse. This report, together with a review of the operations of the commission carried out by the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The Government's major investment of recent years in upgrading school accommodation has resulted in new and enhanced school accommodation throughout the country. Since 1997 almost €2 billion has been invested in the school building programme at primary and post-primary level, the largest investment programme in the history of the State. This is a very significant amount of investment. This...

Written Answers — Teacher Assistance Service: Teacher Assistance Service (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The interim phase of the employee assistance service for teachers concluded its operation in August 2003. A review of the interim phase was considered by the steering committee responsible for overseeing the operation of the service. The steering committee concluded that the current service arrangements should not be extended beyond the scheduled end of the interim phase in August 2003. The...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The position in the matter to which the Deputy refers is as I outlined to the House in February 2004. The educational infrastructural needs of the Adamstown area as it develops are separate and distinct from those of the Lucan area and clearly cannot alleviate any current difficulties that may exist in the Lucan area. Swift and decisive actions have been taken to address the demands that have...