Results 801-820 of 3,797 for speaker:Ciarán Cannon

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (11 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 236 together. My Department estimated in late November 2011 that at least 4,500 interventions had been commenced in the areas of guidance, training and third level education for relevant redundant workers included in the three separate EGF construction sector applications submitted to the European Commission and subsequently approved. This estimate was...

Written Answers — European Globalisation Fund: European Globalisation Fund (11 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 235 and 237 together. Of the 8,924 persons on the Department's database deemed eligible for EGF-related services, 8,779 were recorded as having a home address in this jurisdiction. Letters of notification of relevant EGF services issued to these persons on 19 December 2011. The other 145 persons do not have a recorded address in this State such as would...

Written Answers — Apprenticeship Programmes: Apprenticeship Programmes (17 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 to 167, inclusive, together. The Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme (RAPS) was introduced in 2011 to provide opportunities for eligible redundant apprentices to undertake on-the-job training at Phase 3, Phase 5 and Phase 7 of the standard based apprenticeship programme. I understand that RAPS has re-commenced from 9th January 2012 and will provide...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (17 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: 1On 16 November 2011 the EU budgetary authorities approved three separate applications for co-financed assistance from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) made by my Department in respect of almost 9,000 former workers made redundant in the construction NACE 41, 43 and 71 sub-sectors between 1 July 2009 and 31 March 2010. European Commission financing decisions awarding EGF...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (17 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: FÁS contracts with Specialist Training Providers (STPs) country-wide to deliver training programmes to people with disabilities. A total of 2,110 training places are available annually. FÁS also encourages all people with disabilities to avail of and participate in its broad range of mainline training options. In addition, the European Social Fund-supported Third Level Access Measure...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (17 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: Certification fees were charged by FÁS for the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) since 2002. In November 2010, FÁS agreed with FETAC to pay fees for all backdated CSCS certificates from April 2009 and for 2010. Fee payments for all certificates going forward were also agreed with FETAC. CSCS certification fees collected by FAS up until April 2009 were allocated as a...

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: Yesterday the Minister for Education and Skills set the debate in the context of the overall financial and budgetary framework in which Ireland must operate. We inherited this legacy from the previous Fianna Fáil Government. He made clear that controlling the public service pay bill and reducing public service numbers-----

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: -----are fundamental to dealing with the gap between public expenditure and revenue. With one third of all public sector employees working in the education sector, it is not possible to leave staffing levels untouched. None the less, despite difficult circumstances the Government is trying to protect frontline services at a time of rapidly rising enrolment in our schools. It is clear from...

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: No Government wants to reduce resources for the education system. However, it would be healthy if our debates on particular measures were based on reason and balance rather than ill-founded assumptions or judgments about how school leaders will manage the changed arrangements. I will clarify a number of critical points. There has been no change to the Education Act 1998, which stipulates...

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: This contrasts with how the last Fianna Fáil Government reduced staffing for second level schools across the board and without protecting DEIS schools. Their more favourable student-teacher ratio will put them in a better position to manage the changes in guidance provision within their standard staffing allocations. A disturbing feature of the comments made in the media and this Chamber is...

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: Our schools are caring institutions and their leaders are responsible professionals. We are confident they will continue to support vulnerable pupils in their care.

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: This budget measure must be viewed in the context of the major challenges that face us in trying to shelter public services to the greatest extent possible in these exceptional times. We have confidence that our second level principals and the boards of management of our schools will balance the guidance needs of pupils with their curricular and other needs within the resources available to them.

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (18 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: The Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme (RAPS) was introduced in 2011 to provide opportunities for eligible redundant apprentices to undertake on-the-job training at Phase 3, Phase 5 and Phase 7 of the standard based apprenticeship programme. I understand that in 2011, over 2,300 redundant apprentices were placed on the scheme, with 1,600 completing their on-the-job phase. A further 700...

Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: Most of the contributions to the debate on both sides of the House have welcomed the publication of this Bill. It would be helpful if there were Members from the Opposition side of the House present at the conclusion of this debate.

Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: Members have acknowledged the progress made in framing the proposals to strengthen the legal framework for EROs and REAs, originally established in the Industrial Relations Act 1946. Deputies have expressed an appreciation for the manner in which it is proposed in the Government's Bill to give legal effect to the recommendations of the independent review on the reform of these sectoral wage...

Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2011: Referral to Select Committee (19 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation pursuant to Standing Order 82A(3)(a) (6)(a).

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (19 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: FÁS contracts with Specialist Training Providers such as the National Learning Network to deliver training programmes to people with disabilities. Training allowances set by FÁS are paid directly to the trainee and FÁS reimburse the training provider based on invoices received. As part of Budget 2012, it was decided to reduce training allowances in respect of 16 and 17 year old on FÁS...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (19 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: SOLAS will have strategic responsibility for further education currently delivered by Vocational Education Committees (VECs) and training currently delivered by FÁS. FÁS will be disbanded as part of this process and its training provision transferred to VECs. While it is envisaged that SOLAS itself will be staffed mostly by former FÁS Head Office staff, around 700 FÁS Training Division...

Written Answers — Future Skills Needs: Future Skills Needs (19 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs identifies future skills needs of enterprise outlining current provision of education & training and identifies gaps in provision, where enterprise requirements cannot be met from current supply. The Expert Group has a key role to play in the identification of skills shortages in the enterprise sector and its recommendations will continue to be...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (19 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: The legislation for the creation of SOLAS has not as yet been passed and no staff have been assigned to SOLAS. Disciplinary issues in relation to FAS staff are an operational matter for FAS within the meaning of the Labour Services Act, 1987 and I have no role or function in these matters. I have been informed by FAS that a number of staff were subject to disciplinary sanctions in relation to...