Results 5,981-6,000 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Topical Issue Debate: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (22 Oct 2015)

Damien English: It is a new pilot scheme. I think most people welcome the new rule. To be clear, they have to be resident for a full five years whereas an Irish or EU citizen has to be resident for just three of the preceding five years.

Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects Status (22 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter because it gives me the opportunity to remind the House of the significant challenges facing the Department in terms of meeting increasing demand for pupil places throughout the country in the coming years. It also presents me with the opportunity to clarify the position regarding the provision of school places in Monasterevin, County Kildare. ...

Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects Status (22 Oct 2015)

Damien English: As the Deputy knows, the money for the second level school is ring fenced. That project is included in the current five year plan so there is no reason why it cannot progress to construction next year. The proposed amalgamated school is progressing through all of the stages and that project is in a strong position for inclusion in the forthcoming six-year plan to be announced in the coming...

Topical Issue Debate: Car Theft (22 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I am replying to this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, who could not be present and conveys his apologies. I welcome the Deputy's intentions in raising this important issue. While the offence of taking a vehicle without the lawful authority of the owner is provided for in section 112 of the Road Traffic Act 1961,...

Topical Issue Debate: Car Theft (22 Oct 2015)

Damien English: As I stated, I have no problem conveying the Deputy's proposal to both the relevant Departments. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport would have liked to have been in the House to respond on this issue. This matter is not one for national governments as we are subject to clear European regulations in respect of type approval requirements for vehicles. I stress, therefore, that any...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Traffic Offences (22 Oct 2015)

Damien English: Where do I start? About 20 topical issues were raised there. I understand that most of them are very topical and we will certainly get the Deputy answers to them. I will not be able to give him the answers as most of them are above my pay grade. I will get the Deputy the answers he requires to some of the questions he has.

Topical Issue Debate: Road Traffic Offences (22 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I am here to respond to the issue the Deputy raised which was the urgent need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to bring forward consolidated road traffic legislation before the end of the Government's term given the recent revelations. That is the issue the Deputy raised and that is the issue I am responding to. I apologise on behalf of the Minister who could not make it...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Traffic Offences (22 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I agree with Deputy Broughan that this is a cultural issue. All the changes in the world to road traffic law will not be enough to stop every tragic death. Even one road death is one too many. Thankfully, there has been considerable improvement in road safety and the numbers killed in the past ten or 15 years. This has been due to successive Governments. This is a cross-party issue...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Traffic Offences (22 Oct 2015)

Damien English: Most incidents on the road are avoidable, so they are not accidents. It is a cultural issue that goes way beyond transport, law or the Department of Justice and Equality. It stretches into education and awareness of the problem. Most people try the lottery every now and again because they believe they can win. They see the ads that say, "It could be you." They roll the dice and try, but...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Availability (22 Oct 2015)

Damien English: The purpose of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability. Bus Éireann, which operates the scheme on behalf of my Department, is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Provision (22 Oct 2015)

Damien English: Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Bus Éireann has established that the older sibling of the child referred to by the Deputy was in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Provision (22 Oct 2015)

Damien English: Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Bus Éireann has advised that under the terms of the Scheme children residing in the Johnstown Bridge...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Provision (22 Oct 2015)

Damien English: The purpose of the School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. Under the terms of the Scheme, children are eligible for school transport where they are attending their nearest school and meet the requisite distance. School transport services, routes, pick-up points,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Scheme Data (22 Oct 2015)

Damien English: Bus Éireann has advised that the total number of children availing of school transport for the years in question are as follows: 2015/16 - 112,181; 2014/15 - 112,577; 2013/14 - 114,063. The figures for 2015/2016 were taken on 13 October and will increase as tickets are still being issued. The figures for the other two school years were taken on 31 December.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (3 Nov 2015)

Damien English: My Department received an application for school transport for the child in question in the first week of September 2015. Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs this child is eligible for school transport. In this regard, a new school transport service has been sanctioned. Bus Éireann has advised that the proposed service...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (3 Nov 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 kms from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. The children in question are not eligible for school transport as they are not attending their nearest school....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (3 Nov 2015)

Damien English: In general, children are eligible for school 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. The family referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for school transport as they are not attending their nearest national school. Children who are not eligible for school transport may...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Provision (3 Nov 2015)

Damien English: Bus Éireann which operates the School Transport Scheme has advised that the school transport service referred to by the Deputy was not operating under my Department's School Transport Scheme. Families who wish to apply for school transport under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme can do so at www.buseireann.ie.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Administration (3 Nov 2015)

Damien English: The Deputy will be aware, from my previous reply, that a replacement ticket was issued to this family. Bus Éireann has confirmed that the child in question is currently availing of a school transport service.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Tendering (3 Nov 2015)

Damien English: Bus Éireann is obliged to tender all works, goods and services in line with the European Directives on public procurement, which includes school transport services performed by contractors under the School Transport Scheme. Tenders are evaluated on the basis of the award criteria which consists of both Price and Quality of Service. The experience of the driver(s) assigned to perform...