Results 5,861-5,880 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Administration (23 Sep 2015)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 120 together. One of the main objectives of the School Transport Scheme is to ensure that, as far as possible, eligible children have a reasonable level of service while at the same time, ensuring that school transport vehicles are fully utilised in an efficient and cost effective manner. In this regard, Bus Éireann generally plan and timetable...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (24 Sep 2015)

Damien English: Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that a ticket will issue after valid payment details are submitted by the family in question. In this regard the family should contact their local Bus Éireann office at 01-8302222.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (29 Sep 2015)

Damien English: Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Bus Éireann has confirmed that when the application was made in late August, this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (29 Sep 2015)

Damien English: Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class/special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs. The provision of therapeutic services such as Speech and Language Therapy,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (29 Sep 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. The family referred to by the Deputy are eligible for school transport to the school in question....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Provision (29 Sep 2015)

Damien English: Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs. My Department has no record of a school transport application for the child in question. In this regard, the family should...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015: Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (29 Sep 2015)

Damien English: I would like to add a few comments to what the Minister said. I thank the committee for having me here again; the year goes by very fast. In working with the Minister, Deputy Bruton, on the area of research and development, it is important to look at the rationale behind that. It is important we realise it is about future-proofing the economy. We have had great success through research...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015: Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (29 Sep 2015)

Damien English: I will deal later with the issue of innovation. The Minister, Deputy Bruton, referred to the 25 new programmes identified, which were selected following a competitive process that was industry-led. Earlier this year we engaged, through the management council, with the industry on its view on new apprenticeships and the new areas in which this could happen. We received submissions which...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015: Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (29 Sep 2015)

Damien English: On the promotion of apprenticeships, training and so on, while I do not want to stray into the remit of the Department of Education and Skills, our Department tries to engage with companies through Enterprise Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland, SFI, and so on to beat the band and get them interested in making proposals. We also facilitate a range of meetings that bring our stakeholders...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015: Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (29 Sep 2015)

Damien English: Absolutely.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015: Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (29 Sep 2015)

Damien English: I was also frustrated that they felt they had to write a letter. I felt I had made it clear-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015: Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (29 Sep 2015)

Damien English: It is probably the same area.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015: Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (29 Sep 2015)

Damien English: Likewise, I was frustrated that they felt they had to write a letter because I had made it very clear from the start of my job that I was very willing to talk to everybody on this issue as it is something I feel very strongly about. Since we started the consultation on the strategy, we have gone to great lengths to involve everybody in all disciplines and areas. I met some of the authors of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015: Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (29 Sep 2015)

Damien English: The Deputy is absolutely right although I disagree, as I have made very clear, that there is a crisis. Over the past year, I have probably met many of those 900 people as I go out of my way to attend as many of these functions as I can and to meet those involved in the research community. They now recognise that we are very open to this conversation in both the Department of Education and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015: Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (29 Sep 2015)

Damien English: I apologise to members for my early departure. I will revert to members on any specific questions they have. I will be pleased to discuss the science strategy with the joint committee at a separate meeting in future.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Youthreach Programme Staff (30 Sep 2015)

Damien English: The Youthreach Operators Guidelines were drawn up in late 2010. The draft guidelines were circulated to a number of stakeholders including the TUI at that time for their views. The Guidelines are designed to assist in the management and administration of the Youthreach programme. They are intended to establish common practices and procedures across the Youthreach programme and to bring...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Tendering (30 Sep 2015)

Damien English: The services of internationally recognised experts in the field of vehicle maintenance systems and safety standards are engaged by Bus Éireann to conduct inspections on school buses that are utilised to provide services on its behalf under the Department of Education & Skills School Transport Scheme nationally. As previously advised, these inspections are designed to complement...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2015: Vote 26 - Department of Education and Skills (30 Sep 2015)

Damien English: We do not have the figures yet, because even though the closing date for payments was 31 July, quite a few people paid in August. Also, some routes are still being sorted out and some cases are still being dealt with. Deputies and Senators would be aware of this because they are raising these matters with us directly as are people involved. Therefore, we will not have the full figures for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2015: Vote 26 - Department of Education and Skills (30 Sep 2015)

Damien English: Those routes are not there for 2014 and 2015. Even today, some new buses are being sanctioned for new routes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2015: Vote 26 - Department of Education and Skills (30 Sep 2015)

Damien English: Is that in regard to 2013?