Results 5,921-5,940 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Topical Issue Debate: Misuse of Drugs (6 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for the additional points she has made, which I will relay to the Minister of State, Deputy Ó Ríordáin. As the Deputy herself said, this is an issue that cuts across several Departments, including Health and Justice and Equality. Unfortunately, the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, could not be here today either. The Government is conscious that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (6 Oct 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 km from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Children who are not eligible for school transport, may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (6 Oct 2015)

Damien English: The child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs. The family has advised my Department that they are not in a position to bring their daughter to and from school and Bus Éireann has been requested to establish a dedicated school transport service for this child. The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Provision (6 Oct 2015)

Damien English: In general, children with special educational needs are eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest recognised mainstream school or unit that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs under Department of Education and Skills' criteria. Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Tendering (6 Oct 2015)

Damien English: Bus Éireann is obliged to tender all works, goods and services in line with the European Directives on public procurement. This includes school transport services performed by contractors under the School Transport Scheme, which Bus Éireann operates on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills. Bus Éireann is satisfied that the tendering process is a competitive...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Second Stage (6 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I was caught by surprise there. I thought there were a few more speakers. The Minister for Justice and Equality and I would like to thank Members for their contributions. As the Minister said in her opening remarks, this is a wide-ranging Bill which addresses child protection, including new emerging threats, support of victims, the updating of existing law and a reform of prostitution...

Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (7 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I thank the Deputies for raising this matter. In recent weeks, Deputy Bannon was in contact with the Minister and me in this regard. It is important we bring clarity to the situation. If there is any confusion, we will try to put it to bed. I will offer a formal answer, after which we can go through the details. This debate gives me the opportunity to outline to the House the current...

Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (7 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I again thank both Deputies. To be clear, the Department's building and planning unit has proven itself to be fit for purpose in recent years. It has responded quite well and has a clear mission, which is to spend taxpayers' money correctly, wisely, fairly and equitably nationwide. Consequently, as the Deputy will appreciate, there must be a formal process. The unit has proved itself - I...

Topical Issue Debate: University Governance (7 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I would like to thank the Deputies for raising this issue. It is certainly a matter of concern to my senior Minister, but she cannot be in two places at the same time so I am answering this matter on her behalf. In early 2012, a former employee of the University of Limerick informed a public representative, who in turn informed the Committee of Public Accounts, of alleged irregular practices...

Topical Issue Debate: University Governance (7 Oct 2015)

Damien English: The full terms of reference will be available in the next couple of days. I can have them sent on to the Deputies. I presume the terms of reference will be wide in order to cover all this. The Department, the HEA and all involved are anxious that this be dealt with fully and conclusively. There is no point in having a review that does not cover all the concerns and alleged wrongdoings, so...

Topical Issue Debate: University Governance (7 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I was only aware of one. The Deputy will appreciate that I do not have all the information on the full case. I can check for him, however, and will get that confirmed. The hope is that this review will deal with all this one way or the other. That is why it will be dealt with quite quickly. As regards the Deputy's concern that the review may prevent a further investigation, I do not...

Topical Issue Debate: University Governance (7 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I have given my view on it. It is not in my gift to ask them or tell them to do that. It is my view, however, that it is best to avoid High Court proceedings where possible. We will see how this review comes on, but I will discuss it with the Department as well.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (7 Oct 2015)

Damien English: Children are eligible for Post Primary School Transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from, and are attending, their nearest education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. In general, transport services are not established in areas where suitable public scheduled bus services already exist. In such cases children...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Provision (8 Oct 2015)

Damien English: Children are eligible for Post Primary School Transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from, and are attending, their nearest education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. The closing date for receipt of payments for school transport was 31st July 2015; a number of families, with children who are eligible for school...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects Expenditure (8 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I thank Senator Reilly for raising this issue, which I am taking on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy O'Sullivan, who cannot be here today. In responding to the issue raised by the Senator I take this opportunity to remind the House of the significant challenges with which we are faced in terms of meeting increasing demand for pupil places throughout the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects Expenditure (8 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I will relay the Senator's concerns in relation to the school mentioned. The overriding objective of the plan is to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place, including, where possible, through the replacement of poor accommodation. The areas in respect of which demographic demand has been identified are the areas on which we need to concentrate.

Seanad: Horizon 2020: Statements (8 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I welcome this opportunity to address Seanad Éireann on Ireland's results so far in Horizon 2020, the biggest ever European research and innovation programme. With approximately €78 billion of funding available over seven years, Horizon 2020 is the EU funding programme for research and development for the period 2014 to 2020. Its objectives are to enable a world-class research...

Seanad: Horizon 2020: Statements (8 Oct 2015)

Damien English: Cork, for example.

Seanad: Horizon 2020: Statements (8 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the opportunity to have this debate. It was good to have the opportunity to talk about Horizon 2020 in the Seanad and to discuss the results of the programme to date and to engage with Members. I will try to answer some of the issues and questions that came up during the debate. If I cannot provide a response I will come back to the House with the...

Financial Resolutions 2016 - Budget Statement 2016 (13 Oct 2015)

Damien English: That includes private health insurance.