Results 5,481-5,500 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Topical Issue Debate: Medical Card Administration (18 Dec 2014)

Damien English: While I understand he has visited, I certainly will tell him again that the Deputy wishes him to do that. The Minister has made clear that he expects all the changes that will happen in the new year, as well as the new actions, will address the problems with the process. He has stated clearly that if this does not happen, further changes must take place and he will address that as well....

Topical Issue Debate: School Completion Programme (18 Dec 2014)

Damien English: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Reilly, who sends his apologies for not being here to debate this important issue. The aim of the school completion programme is to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and generally to improve school attendance, participation and retention of its target...

Topical Issue Debate: School Completion Programme (18 Dec 2014)

Damien English: I will bring the Deputy's concerns to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Reilly. I ask that he bring to the people concerned the message that this is not about imposing cuts. The review is an attempt to try to bring about best practice in this area given the variance between projects around the country. Some projects work extremely well and achieve great results. Like the Deputy, I am...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: SOLAS Administration (18 Dec 2014)

Damien English: The transfer of assets and liabilities from SOLAS to the Education and Training Boards is covered by legislation. The fixed asset buildings of SOLAS including their contents were transferred to the Education and Training Boards by Ministerial Order as provided for in the Further Education and Training Act 2013. A full list of assets and liabilities was provided to each Education and Training...

Topical Issue Debate: Education and Training Provision (14 Jan 2015)

Damien English: I thank Deputy Deering for raising this matter and for giving me the opportunity to clarify the position in relation to the payment of allowances to participants on the Moving On training initiative. This initiative is part of the local training initiative programme funded by my Department through SOLAS and the education and training boards. The latter, in collaboration with local community...

Topical Issue Debate: Education and Training Provision (14 Jan 2015)

Damien English: That was the case in the good times.

Topical Issue Debate: Education and Training Provision (14 Jan 2015)

Damien English: I understand that subsidised child care is not just available in the mornings. After-school care is available under the child care employment and training support scheme and I presume that child care is also available. I will check the position for the Deputy. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Reilly, announced a major review of this area in recent days. When I used the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Expenditure (14 Jan 2015)

Damien English: In general, the Special Transport Grant, sanctioned under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, is paid at the end of each school year upon receipt of a completed Statement of Attendance Form. Requests for more frequent payments are only considered in exceptional circumstances, for example, where annual payments might result in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Provision (14 Jan 2015)

Damien English: Bus Éireann has advised that the child in question resides approximately 0.7 kilometres from the pick-up point; this is considered to be a reasonable level of service in the context of the scheme as it is applied nationally. Safety of children travelling on the school transport service is of paramount importance to my Department and to Bus Éireann. Bus Éireann place special...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further Education and Training Programmes Funding (14 Jan 2015)

Damien English: My Department funds Further Education and Training programmes, including the Post Leaving Certificate programme (PLC), through SOLAS, the new Further Education and Training Authority. The PLC programme is a full time programme for learners who have completed their Leaving Certificate and for adults returning to education. It is provided in schools managed by the Education and Training Boards...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (14 Jan 2015)

Damien English: Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Bus Éireann, which operates the scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that it has not...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards Staff (14 Jan 2015)

Damien English: My Department does not hold data on the number of adult education officers and adult guidance counsellors employed by ETBs. The assumption of responsibility by ETBs for training did not allow for any increase in staff in these grades in ETBs. It should be noted that separate managerial and advisory staff transferred to ETBs with the Training Centres. My Department provides annual funding...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (14 Jan 2015)

Damien English: Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Bus Éireann has advised that there are a number of school transport services operating into the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Provision (20 Jan 2015)

Damien English: Bus Éireann which operates the School Transport Schemes, on behalf of my Department, has advised the family that a service will be available for the child in question within the next few days. The family may claim the Special Transport Grant for the period in which they provided transport.

Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (21 Jan 2015)

Damien English: I thank all the Deputies for their contributions to this motion relating to the reform of the junior cycle that was tabled by Sinn Féin. I had a chance to listen to most of the comments. There was much decent debate but also some ill-informed debate. It is quite clear that some people do not actually understand the changes we proposed or the great lengths the Minister has gone to...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Schools Amalgamation (21 Jan 2015)

Damien English: I am taking the matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, who sends her apologies. She cannot be here due to the change in schedule. I thank Senator Healy Eames for raising the matter as it provides me with an opportunity to clarify the current position in regard to the proposed amalgamation of the Mercy and Presentation schools in...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Schools Amalgamation (21 Jan 2015)

Damien English: That issue was not specified.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Schools Amalgamation (21 Jan 2015)

Damien English: Let me be clear. This is a local decision. The two schools have gone through a process that is still continuing. If consultation is under way, it should also be continued. A steering group as been established and will comprise nominees from both schools. However, the Department will not tell either school where to go. This is a local decision. The schools had access to technical...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Schools Amalgamation (21 Jan 2015)

Damien English: A gym was not mentioned, but I have given the Senator a commitment to get her some information when I can. I can do no more than that. I imagine that the steering group will consider what do to with the site that will not be in use. That opportunity should be discussed, but this is just my personal opinion. Now is the time to have a conversation about whether the other site can release...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Job Creation (22 Jan 2015)

Damien English: I welcome the opportunity to discuss this report and what is being done in the overall area. We must bear in mind that the report covers some of the growth and boom years from 2004 to 2013, thus highlighting many issues in the regions, but it stops short of including this year when we are seeing much growth throughout the country. Significant progress has been made since 2011 in...