Results 7,821-7,840 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn
- Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (16 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: Total enrolment in both primary and post-primary schools is expected to grow by almost 70,000 between now and 2018 - over 45,000 at primary level and 25,000 at post primary - and will continue to grow up to at least 2024 at post-primary. This projected growth in enrolments reflects the increases in enrolment at both levels in the past five years and also the continuing very high level of...
- Written Answers — Student Support Schemes: Student Support Schemes (16 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 123, 124 and 129 together. I am aware of the impact of changes to the student grant scheme on students, however, as the previous Government had factored in the savings from these changes to the public expenditure programme for 2011, I regret that I am not in a position to reverse or vary them. The Deputy will be aware that, while a qualifying student may...
- Written Answers — Third Level Places: Third Level Places (16 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: The number of full-time new entrants to publicly funded higher education institutions under the Higher Education Authority is larger than it has ever been due to an expansion in third level places in recent years. Indeed, Ireland is currently performing very strongly in terms of student participation in higher education and has the highest tertiary attainment rate among 25-34 year olds in...
- Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (16 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 to 128, inclusive, together. 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...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: The current status of all projects on the school building programme, including those in County Kildare, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this will be updated regularly throughout the year. For the Deputy's convenience, however, I set out below details of the 37 applications for building works from schools in County Kildare that are on hand. The Government's...
- Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (16 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: 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) co-ordinates special needs education provision at local level and arranges for the delivery of special educational services...
- Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (16 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will be aware that my Department provides for the education of children with special educational needs through a number of support mechanisms depending on the child's assessed disability. In general, educational provision for children with special needs is made; in special schools; in special classes attached to ordinary schools; or in integrated settings in mainstream classes....
- Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (16 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: My Department has no record of having received an application for emergency funding from this school for the works referred to by the Deputy. Should an application be received it will be assessed and the school authorities will be notified of the outcome.
- Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (16 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: I, along with my colleagues in Government, recognise the importance of ensuring that students from a Protestant background can attend a school that reflects their denominational ethos. At this point I do not propose to give any specific commitment on the allocation of teachers to schools for the 2012/13 school year. The number of teaching posts that we can afford to fund in schools is a...
- Payments to Bondholders (17 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: That says it all.
- Payments to Bondholders (17 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: The country is in a very difficult place.
- Schools Building Projects (17 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: I thank the Deputy for raising the matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the House the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and to clarify the current position of the application for major capital funding from Clonakilty Community College. Unfortunately, the culture of promises for schools building projects is corrupted. Pledges going back...
- Schools Building Projects (17 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: Regarding the Deputy's other question about VEC involvement in the project, due to the sheer scale of the task of delivery on school building projects, the Department has requested VEC assistance to accelerate delivery on the ground. It should not be taken that this will happen in this case. However, it must be recognised the VECs are performing excellent work in this area. The Taoiseach...
- Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (17 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: My Department agreed in principle to an application by the school, referred to by the Deputy, for additional accommodation on the basis of an expected increase in enrolments and an associated increase in the teaching staffing numbers. However as the teaching post concerned has not been approved due to the projected increase in enrolments not materialising, the approval conveyed to the school...
- Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (17 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: The processing of student grants is carried out by local grant awarding authorities â VECs and local authorities. In the circumstances, it will be necessary for the student in question to contact her grant awarding authority to ascertain the position regarding her grant application.
- Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (17 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy recently made an application to my Department for Emergency Works. This application is being assessed by my Department and the school authorities will be notified of the outcome in due course.
- Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (17 Nov 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, 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 objective of this policy is to assist as...
- Written Answers — Apprenticeship Programmes: Apprenticeship Programmes (17 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: I am informed by FÃS that in order to qualify as a Carpenter/Joiner craftsperson, an apprentice must be employed by a FÃS approved employer and complete all seven alternating on-the-job and off-the-job phases of their apprenticeship, which is a minimum of four years (208 weeks) in duration from the date of registration, as well as achieving the qualifying standard throughout their...
- Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (17 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: My Department does not lease any office properties. The leasing of Government offices and properties is the responsibility of the Property Management Services in the Office of Public Works, which acts as an agent for all Government Departments. The number, terms and cost of the leases is a matter for the OPW.
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (17 Nov 2011)
Ruairi Quinn: The Government's Medium Term Infrastructure and Capital Investment Framework published on the 10th of November includes an allocation for education capital of just over â¬2.2bn over the five years of the plan - an average annual allocation of just over â¬440m. Total enrolment in both primary and post-primary schools is expected to grow by almost 70,000 between now and 2018 (over 45,000 at...