Results 7,641-7,660 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn
- Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (8 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: The Back to Education Allowance is a Department of Social Protection scheme. The vocational training opportunities scheme is administered by VECs. My Department understands from the Department of Social Protection and the relevant VEC that the student in question has not applied for either allowance.
- Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (8 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that the General Allocation Model (GAM) was introduced in primary schools in September 2005 to ensure that each school has learning support/resource teaching support available to meet the needs of children with high incidence special educational needs. Teaching allocations to primary schools under the GAM have...
- Written Answers — Asbestos Remediation Programme: Asbestos Remediation Programme (8 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: An application under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme for the removal of asbestos floor tiles and the provision of new floor covering has been received from the school referred to by the Deputy. Additional information is being sought from the school in question and as soon as this information is received further consideration will be given to the school application.
- Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: The Gross Voted Expenditure Allocation for my Department for 2011 is â¬8,888 million, made up of Current Expenditure of â¬8,387 million and Capital Expenditure of â¬501 million. Up to the end of October 2011 estimated expenditure of â¬7,181 million has been incurred, made up of â¬6,813 million in Current expenditure and â¬368 million in Capital expenditure.
- Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (8 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy 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 — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (8 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for a student's grant awarding body. Where a grant awarding authority turns down an application and subsequently rejects an appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department or to the Student Grants Appeal Board, as appropriate. No appeal has been received in my Department from the student to date. I am not,...
- Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (8 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy will be aware, the reality of our economic situation presents significant challenges that have to be reconciled with limitations on public resources. This is a very stark reality, which, unfortunately, means that changes to any public service, including the student grant scheme, cannot be ruled out. I empathise with students and I am very conscious of the fundamental role...
- Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (8 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 185 together. In respect of question 185 I can confirm to the Deputy that since my appointment as Minister for Education and Skills I have not appointed a former Government office holder to any position. In respect of question 184 I can confirm that: - In relation to bodies currently under the aegis of my Department one former Government office...
- Seanad: Reform of Junior Certificate: Statements (8 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the opportunity to address the Seanad on this important issue. As Senators know, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, was asked to undertake a review of the junior cycle curriculum in schools, to examine how creativity and innovation might be strengthened and curriculum overload and rote learning addressed. The review was undertaken...
- Seanad: Reform of Junior Certificate: Statements (8 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: It was honours and pass.
- Seanad: Reform of Junior Certificate: Statements (8 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: I will try to address most of the points. If possible I will try to write to Senators in response to some comments. A lot of concern was expressed about buy-in by teachers, particularly on the question of assessment. As I said, unless the examination changes nothing else will change. I am acutely aware of the reservations. One senator asked a specific question on the examination proposals....
- Seanad: Reform of Junior Certificate: Statements (8 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: Yes. The literacy and numeracy strategy is being rolled out and is part and parcel of broader reform. The curriculum does not function in isolation. It will take time and resources to implement reform. In regard to the points system, in my innocence, I was two months in office before I realised the points system is not part of the education system as we know it. Rather, it is owned and...
- Written Answers — Schools Recognition: Schools Recognition (9 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: It is understood that the Deputy's question refers to the ABA pilot scheme which was funded by my Department for the past decade. All of the centres which participated in this scheme have been granted recognition as special schools for children with autism. These schools will operate in line with my Department's policy. Following their recognition the new schools are currently progressing...
- Written Answers — English Language Students: English Language Students (9 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: According to the annual survey of approved language schools carried out by Fáilte Ireland, an estimated 96,250 overseas English language students studied in Ireland in 2010. The following number of English language students studied in Ireland in 2010 (or 2009, where current figures are not available): Japan: 2,000 South Korea: 3,100 China: 2,098 (2009 figures) Taiwan: 89 (2009 figures)...
- Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (9 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports. This includes the allocation of resource teaching hours to schools as well as the establishment of special classes,...
- Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (9 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy will be aware, the reality of our economic situation presents significant challenges that have to be reconciled with limitations on public resources. This is a very stark reality, which, unfortunately, means that changes to any public service, including the student grant scheme, cannot be ruled out. I empathise with students and I am very conscious of the fundamental role played...
- Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (9 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy will be aware, the reality of our economic situation presents significant challenges that have to be reconciled with limitations on public resources. This is a very stark reality, which, unfortunately, means that changes to any public service, including the student grant scheme, cannot be ruled out. I empathise with students and I am very conscious of the fundamental role played...
- Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (9 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for determining the appropriate staffing levels in relation to the support of pupils with special educational needs in mainstream and special schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's policy in allocating this support. The staffing of special schools is determined by reference to the...
- Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (9 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy will be aware the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is an independent agency with responsibility for determining the appropriate staffing levels in relation to the support of pupils with special educational needs in mainstream and special schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's policy in allocating this support. Circular 0042/2011 provides information to...
- Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (9 Nov 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...