Results 9,221-9,240 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I will examine the issue before Report Stage. The universities have many opportunities to express their views. This, however, is the formal consultation with an tÚdarás, which is incorporated into the legislation. As I stated, on Report Stage I will return to the issue of publishing the consultation findings.

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. I understand a university's name is protected if it is a registered trademark. To ensure university names are protected, I have asked my officials to consider the amendment in greater detail. If it is appropriate to do so, I will table an amendment. I am being constructive as I realise the Senator's amendments are also designed to be constructive.

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: As I stated, we will examine the issue again. I am coming to the Bill in the middle of the legislative process.

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I want to ensure we get the wording right and protect the universities. As I stated, Senator Sean D. Barrett has tabled a number of highly constructive amendments, as have other Senators. I will examine the issue and perhaps we might have a more detailed debate on it on Report Stage.

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Again, the Senators are making valid points and I will examine it before Report Stage. I prefer to keep in the "special interest" but will consider the suggestions of the phrase "and international reputation" and the word "and".

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: We will examine it. I am not sure we will come back with the exact phrase "international reputation" but we will see what we can do to meet what the Senator is trying to achieve.

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I do not propose to accept the amendments because the application process for authorisation to use the title of university outside the State is open to any institution that fulfils the strict criteria outlined in the Bill. While the Senators may be correct about the purpose of the Bill, the criteria are very strict and it would not be right to have the piece of legislation for one particular...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: There are a number left.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Higher Education Institutions Expenditure (24 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: A 2012 Comptroller and Auditor General report noted that Universities and Institutes of Technology (IOTs) had cash balances of €706 million at the end of the 2010/11 academic year. When account was taken of restricted reserves and other capital funding requirements, and pension reserves, the cash balance for recurrent purposes was €568 million which also included private sources...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (24 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The decision to increase the Student Contribution, which stands at €2,750 for the current academic year, to €3,000 by 2015/16 has already been signalled by the previous Minister. The Deputy will appreciate that in line with normal practice I am unable to comment on the budgetary process. It should be noted that some 50% of students who qualify for free fees have the Student...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: SOLAS Training and Education Programmes Provision (24 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: SOLAS, with the input of the ESRI undertook a comprehensive consultation process with a range of key stakeholders inside and outside of the FET sector as part of the development of a five year strategy for the FET Sector. This important strategy has now been completed and gives a road-map for the ongoing development of the FET sector over the next five years. The FET Strategy contains a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Expenditure (24 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: There was no change in Budget 2014 to any of the student grant rates including the non-adjacent or adjacent rates of grant or the higher special rate of grant for the 2014 financial year. The aim of the student maintenance grant scheme has always been to make a contribution to the cost of going to college; covering the full cost has never been a feasible option. The Student...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Educational Psychological Service Administration (24 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I can inform the Deputy that in common with many other psychological services and best international practice, NEPS has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. Psychologists use a problem solving and solution focused consultative approach to maximize...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Placement (24 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Educational Welfare Service of the Child and Family Agency (EWS) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The EWS may be able to offer assistance and advice on securing a school placement within the pupil's area. The contact details for the EWS is Educational Welfare Service of the Child and Family...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Establishment (24 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The delivery of the proposed new Education Campus in Carrigaline, Co Cork has been devolved to Cork Education & Training Board. The Campus will comprise a Gaelcholaiste, Gaelscoil and SONAS Special Primary School. The project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. Subject to the planning process it is envisaged that construction will commence in 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (24 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The primary staffing schedule currently operates on the basis of a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 28 pupils, with lower thresholds for DEIS Band 1 schools. Schools have autonomy in relation to the deployment of classroom teachers to individual classes. My Department's guidance to schools is that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible taking all relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (24 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: While I am unaware of the specific context in which the Deputy is raising this issue, I am setting out below the arrangements in place to ensure quality delivery and value for money in Education and Training Boards training contracts awarded pursuant to the SOLAS contracted training procedures. The Deputy will note that the procedures provide for a mix of academic qualifications and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (24 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department's policies focus on ensuring that all children can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. A range of placement options for pupils with special educational needs, including autism, is provided, in order to ensure that all pupils can receive a school placement. Many pupils with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (24 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department is currently analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards. This process includes an examination of the Lucan area. When this exercise has been completed arrangements will made to make accommodation available where it is needed.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (24 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Five Year Construction Plan that was announced in March 2012 as part of the Department's €2 billion capital investment programme, outlines the major school projects that are scheduled to commence construction over the duration of the Plan. These have been prioritised on the basis of meeting significant demographic needs. The Deputy will be aware that there are two Post-Primary...