Results 7,661-7,680 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Third Level Courses: Third Level Courses (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 to 84, inclusive, together. The Government is strongly committed to promoting Ireland as a centre for international education. The Programme for Government sets out an ambitious target of doubling international student numbers over the coming five years, through full implementation of the international education strategy, Investing in Global Relationships....

Written Answers — Third Level Facilities: Third Level Facilities (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 to 87, inclusive, together. The detailed information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. However, the Higher Education Authority has commenced an exercise to assess the efficiency of utilisation of existing higher education space with a view to determining whether spare capacity exists within the sector critically during holidays, night-time,...

Written Answers — Third Level Expenditure: Third Level Expenditure (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in the Department, however, the Higher Education Authority has been requested to contact each institution seeking a response and I will forward the available data to you as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Third Level Courses: Third Level Courses (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 90 together. Universities and Institutes of Technology are autonomous institutions within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997 and the Institutes of Technology Act 2006 and my Department does not have any function in relation to their academic affairs, including decisions concerning course provision. This kind of autonomy is a hallmark of a high...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Government is taking measures to reduce salary costs at the highest levels across the public sector through the application of salary ceilings. We are also committed to delivery on the public service reforms agreed under Croke Park. Policy on rates of pay in the Education sector forms part of wider public pay policy, including related commitments and reforms under the Croke Park...

Written Answers — Departmental Research: Departmental Research (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I refer the deputy to the following document which has been prepared by the Higher Education Authority, and which seeks to outline and compare the salary levels of academic staff in Irish universities with those in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. Academic Pay Scales in Ireland and Other Countries This note seeks to outline and compare the salary levels of academic staff in...

Written Answers — Teaching Qualifications: Teaching Qualifications (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The recognition of teacher qualifications in this State is a matter for the Teaching Council, the body with statutory responsibility for establishing and maintaining standards in the teaching profession. While it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in individual cases, I have forwarded the Deputy's correspondence on to the Teaching Council for a direct reply.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy may be aware that the project to which she refers was tendered in 2009 and a preferred bidder was identified to do the works. Unfortunately a number of issues outside of my Department's control delayed the progression of this project. However, I am pleased to inform you that most of these issues have now been resolved. Provided there are no further issues, it is intended that the...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (10 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department understands that the student in question appealed the decision of the grant awarding authority on his student grant application to its appeals officer on 25 October 2011. The grant awarding authority advises that the appeal is currently under consideration and a reply will issue as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Third Level Awards: Third Level Awards (10 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The National Diploma made by DIT Bolton St is a legacy award and is no longer made since the introduction of the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) in 2003, but has been placed at Level 7 of the NFQ. I understand from the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI), which is responsible for the Framework, that the placement of an existing or former award in the framework does...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (10 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 80 together. 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 allocating teaching staff and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to special schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Departments...

Written Answers — OECD Report: OECD Report (10 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: Most of the indicators presented in the OECD's annual publication, Education at a Glance are based on detailed information provided through the "UOE" (UNESCO, OECD and Eurostat) data collection. The UOE data collection consists of a series of detailed questionnaires and data tables covering education expenditure, enrolments, entrants, personnel and graduates and is completed by all OECD...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (10 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for the provision of a range of educational services at local and national level for students with special educational needs. In particular, its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) coordinates special needs education provision at local level and arranges for the delivery of...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (10 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) have been fully engaged in identifying placement options for the child in question. The NCSE has advised my Department that, irrespective of the assessed levels of ability of the child, there are schools placements available for this child. I also understand from my officials that the parents of this child have...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (10 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that I do not have any property leased directly from the private sector in County Westmeath.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (10 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The particular funding for the schools referred to by the Deputy was withdrawn with effect from 1 January 2009 due to real concerns about the constitutionality of making grants available to fee-charging schools of one ethos and not to those of another. The Constitution specifically states that the State shall not discriminate against one religion in favour of another. There are 26...

Written Answers — Third Level Charges: Third Level Charges (10 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. Ireland must adhere to its agreed economic recovery programme in order to reduce the budget deficit to 3% of GDP by 2015 and to restore our independence. This will mean that forthcoming budgets will involve further adjustments in...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (10 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The selection and enrolment of pupils in schools is the responsibility of the authorities of the individual school. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. As schools may not have a...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (10 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department are liaising with the relevant stakeholders in relation to the appointment of a completion contractor. Subject to no issues arising, it is envisaged that construction will re-commence before the end of this year.

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (10 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will be aware of this Government's commitment to the protection of frontline services for pupils with special educational needs. 10,575 whole time equivalent (WTE) Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts are being provided for primary, post-primary and special schools for the coming school year in order to support the care needs of pupils with disabilities. The specific information...