Results 6,361-6,380 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: From September 2010, the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government removed eligibility for all new applicants in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) and the VTOS allowances for those pursuing PLC courses, for student maintenance grants. The cost of the student services charge and tuition fees payable to colleges continues to be met for eligible students by the Exchequer on...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: On approval of a special class my Department provides lump sum grant aid towards the purchase of educational aids and equipment for special needs pupils enrolled in that class. The funding is provided on a devolved basis and it is a matter for the school authority to decide on the items to be purchased. In addition, my Department historically provided grant aid towards the purchase of...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96, 98, 99, 101 and 108 together. The Deputy will be aware that it is necessary to ensure that educational services are delivered within the resources available due to the current fiscal position. I intend to prioritise and support special educational services. However, I cannot re-visit the previous Government's decision to place a cap on the number of posts...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 103 together. The primary curriculum is currently being reviewed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment in the context of the forthcoming National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy. The focus of the review will be on how best to enhance children's learning in these areas, provide a clearer delineation of the learning outcomes required, and...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Programme for Government undertakes the prioritisation of school building projects in a revised national development plan. I have already declared my intention to initiate the preparation of a five-year plan for educational infrastructure at primary and post-primary level having regard to demographic trends and the need to upgrade existing stock. Improved forecasting of demand for new...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Programme for Government emphasises that this Government's ambition is to build a knowledge society and that education will be the engine of sustainable economic growth. In performing this role the education system has regard to the skills needs of future employment. Specifically, it responds to the reports of the Expert Group for Future Skills Needs. The role of the Expert Group is to...

Written Answers — Educational Policy: Educational Policy (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will be aware that in my previous role as Opposition Spokesperson on Education that I had regular engagement with the education partners on a range of issues across the entire sector. As Minister for Education and Skills I intend to continue this engagement particularly in relation to the implementation of commitments in the Programme for Government. For example, one of the first...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos.106 and 116 together. The Deputy will be aware that up to date information on the school building programme is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. For the Deputy's convenience the major school building projects in County Kildare which are expected to be completed in 2011 are listed as follows. Scoil Choca Naofa, Kilcock (anticipated...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that details of the successful applicants under the 2011 Summer Works Scheme were announced on 30th March 2011 and are published on the Department's website, www.education.ie. A total of €41.2 million will be made available under the Summer Works Scheme and will see major improvements in primary and post primary schools around the country including Co. Kildare....

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 113 together. In the 2009/10 school year there was an enrolment of 26,771 pupils at primary level and 14,806 pupils at post-primary level in County Kildare. Based on my Department's most recent statistics it is expected that enrolments will increase nationally from a current enrolment at primary level of circa 509,652 pupils to circa 552,800 pupils by...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of analysing all areas in the country in order to determine the level of additional provision which will be required at both primary and post primary level up to 2017. Overall post-primary requirements in County Kildare, including the case for the provision of a new Irish language post-primary school will be considered in this...

Written Answers — School Patronage: School Patronage (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department has received expressions of interest from the organisation referred to for the establishment of new schools at both primary and post-primary level in various locations in County Kildare. At primary level the Deputy will be aware that a review of the criteria and procedures for the establishment of new primary schools has been undertaken by the Commission on School Accommodation...

Order of Business (9 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: It is proposed to take No. 8b, motion re appointment of members to committees, No. 8c, motion re referral to select committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the report by the Minister for Defence regarding service by the Defence Forces with the United Nations in 2010, No. 8d, Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 – Financial Resolution, No. 10 - Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 - Committee and...

Order of Business (9 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I have heard what the Opposition Deputies have said. The Bill is urgently needed. Its purpose is to give effect to the jobs initiative which is a job creation programme of €500 million. We already had an extensive debate in the House on the jobs initiative. The tourism industry in particular is awaiting VAT changes in order to promote growth and job creation. The policy content of the...

Order of Business (9 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: Every Deputy in this House is concerned with the revelations that €100 million, which was required for the fair deal scheme, seems to have got lost within the HSE. Nobody has said that more articulately than the Minister for Health. The statements will take place this afternoon, but there are time constraints. If, after the statements, it is the view of Deputies participating in the...

Order of Business (9 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: Every Deputy in the House would share the concern that Deputy Ó Cuív expressed. I am conscious that this matter may become sub judice and there may be proceedings so we all should be careful as to what we might say here. On the specific question of whistleblowers' legislation, the Labour Party when in opposition under my ministerial colleague, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, proposed specific...

Order of Business (9 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: We should take some small degree of comfort from what has happened, in that the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, has acted on the matter. I have noted Deputy Ó Cuív's comments and I am informed that the proposals for the legislation are well advanced. If they are not sufficiently well advanced, the Deputy's proposal will be taken into consideration by the Minister.

Order of Business (Resumed) (9 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Government is in the course of implementing its programme for Government and we are considering the strategic investment back in the context of the restructuring of the banking sector. Significant progress has already been made and we will introduce measures as soon as possible. I am not in a position to give a precise date at this point.

Order of Business (Resumed) (9 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy is referring to enacted legislation. In that sense, I suggest the appropriate mechanism to raise the issue is a parliamentary question.

Order of Business (Resumed) (9 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I will raise the matter with the relevant Minister, as I am not in a position to give the Deputy a concise answer now.