Results 7,341-7,360 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (5 Oct 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I regret that the economic circumstances of the country are such that I am not in a position to reverse or vary any of the changes to the student grant scheme announced in Budget 2011 by the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government. These changes include the removal of the automatic entitlement of mature students to the non-adjacent rate of grant and an increase in the qualifying...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (5 Oct 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: Under the Student Grant Scheme, an approved course is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of at least two years duration or a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one year duration pursued in an approved institution. I regret that given the level of demand on the funding available to me for student grants I have no plans at present to extend the scope of the student grant...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (5 Oct 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: In general, students who previously pursued a course of study are not eligible for grant assistance for a second period of study at the same level, which appears to be the case here, irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously. Subject to the conditions of the student grant scheme, grants are available where students are progressing to a course at a higher level. The...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (5 Oct 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now...

Written Answers — Vocational Education Committees: Vocational Education Committees (5 Oct 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: Yesterday I decided and announced the headquarter locations where VECs are being merged as a result of the Government decision to reduce the number of VECs from 33 to 16. The headquarters for the newly merged Carlow/Kilkenny VEC will be located in Carlow Town.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (5 Oct 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department's main intervention in pre-school services is the Early Start Programme which is a targeted programme for children aged 3-4 who are at risk of educational disadvantage. My Department doesn't fund the Early Education Centre referred to by the Deputy. I understand that this Early Education Centre is funded by the HSE and as this is a direct service provision, the matter has been...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (5 Oct 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department increased the duration of the studies break requirement in the 2010 student grant schemes and onwards from one year to three years. This was done because, in some cases, students who would not otherwise have qualified for a grant on the basis of parental income were availing of a 'gap year' which had the effect of creating a break in studies. The break in studies clause as it...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (5 Oct 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Student Support Act provides the Minister with the power to regulate for different classes of applicants. This power would enable me, if there are compelling reasons and adequate resources to do so, to consider extending the circumstances where a student could be assessed without reference to parental income. My Department will review the circumstances where a means assessment independent...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (5 Oct 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I assume that the Deputy is referring to potential changes to the student grant scheme under the Budget for 2012. The Deputy will appreciate that the preparation of the Estimates for any Budget is carried out on a strictly confidential basis and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on specific issues or proposals, including those relating to student grants, in advance of the Budget...

Written Answers — Higher Education Funding: Higher Education Funding (5 Oct 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: This year my Department is providing some €1.2 billion in current funding to the higher education sector. The reality of the economic situation presents challenges for the higher education sector. Future demand for participation growth needs to be reconciled with limitations on public resources and a need to protect and enhance core quality. While the nature of these difficult trade-offs...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (5 Oct 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: A value for money review on small primary schools is currently underway in my Department. This review is part of the normal review processes undertaken by all Departments on an annual basis on selected areas of expenditure and is being conducted in line with the standard procedure for value for money reviews. The review is expected to be completed by the end of the year and a report should...

Seanad: Springboard Initiative (5 Oct 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. I have listened with some interest to what she has said. I note the question that was specifically put to me relates to whether the person in question can get funding under the springboard initiative. Therefore, my official reply will be restricted to that, but I will pursue it beyond the points raised by the Senator. Let me, however, read into...

Seanad: Springboard Initiative (5 Oct 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: That is my understanding.

Seanad: Springboard Initiative (5 Oct 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I have received the documentation from the Senator and will be in contact with her directly.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (6 Oct 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: Firstly, I wish to reiterate this Government's commitment to the provision of resources for children with special educational needs. The Programme for Government sets out that education will be a priority for this Government and that we will endeavour to protect and enhance the educational experience of children, young people and students. Approximately 15% of the entire budget of my...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (6 Oct 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy applied to my Department for funding under the Summer Works Scheme 2011. Unfortunately, due to the scale of demand, it was not possible to grant aid all applications for funding under the Summer Works and Jobs Initiative Schemes. My Department has no record of receiving an application from the school for funding under the Emergency...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (6 Oct 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: No decisions have yet been taken regarding the payment of the primary school minor works grant in the current school year. Payment last issued in November 2010 in respect of the school year 2010/2011.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (6 Oct 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for the establishment of special classes and for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE has sanctioned a new class for children with autism in the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (6 Oct 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers made an application recently to my Department for capital funding for major capital works. This application is currently being assessed and my Department will be in further contact with the school when this process has been completed. The current status of all projects on the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (6 Oct 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department are liaising with the relevant stakeholders in relation to the appointment of a completion contractor. While it is not possible at this stage to give a definite date, it is envisaged that construction will re-commence before the end of this year.