Results 9,661-9,680 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Computer Science: Computer Science (18 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: These issues have not arisen in any formal discussions at European level or at the European Council. However the recently published figures by Eurostat on university graduates and their computing and computer skills may prompt discussion in the future.

Written Answers — Computer Science: Computer Science (18 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The content of the initial teacher education programmes is, currently, a matter for the individual Colleges of Education. The programmes provided by the Colleges of Education include modules and content on Information and Communication Technologies. The nature and depth of the content varies between the different institutions. The Teaching Council, which has statutory responsibility for the...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (18 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: As I previously indicated, the information requested by the Deputy is an administrative matter for each agency. The day to day management of agencies, including the payment of salaries and expenses, in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines, is a matter for the management of each agency. Accordingly, my Department does not maintain the level of detailed...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (18 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: A nearby school which has been authorised by my Department to transfer the prefabs in question to its own site for continued use is currently completing a tender process for the removal of the prefabs. It is anticipated that a contract will be awarded and that the prefabs will shortly be removed from the current site. The site upon which the prefabs are currently located is not owned by my...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (18 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority. Reckonable income for student grants purposes is gross income from all sources whether it arises in the State or not. It includes income from pensions. The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (18 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The information requested in relation to contracts awarded in 2011 by my Department to consultancy firms is outlined on the following table. My Department did not award any contracts to consultancy firms in the first quarter in 2012. Contracts awarded in 2011 by the Department of Education and Skills to Consultancy Firms Consultancy Firm Cost of Contract € Centre for Cross Border...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (18 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that my officials have consulted with the planning authority and are currently preparing a planning application for submission to the planning authority, in respect of the school to which he refers.

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (18 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The redundancy arrangements for Special Needs Assistants were agreed at national level at the Labour Relations Commission. These arrangements are outlined in, and are governed by, my Department's circular 58/2006. The circular is available on my Department's website. The person referred to by the Deputy was employed by two different schools during the period 2005 - 2011. The person...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (18 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: A pension benefit statement, in respect of the person to whom the Deputy refers, is being addressed by officials in the Pension Unit of my Department and will be sent to the person in question.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (18 Apr 2012)

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 schools for special educational needs supports. The NCSE has published statistics in relation to resource allocations as at August 2010 on its website www.ncse.ie. In respect of resource...

Written Answers — Active School Flag: Active School Flag (18 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 405 and 406 together. Recognising the contribution of physical activity to the health and well-being of children and to increase the physical activity levels of school children, in 2009 the Department of Education and Skills launched the Active School Flag (ASF) to motivate and reward schools which strive to achieve a physically active and physically educated...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (18 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I'm assuming that the Deputy is referring to the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) which is a professional body with a division of behaviour analysis. In the time available to respond to the question I can inform the Deputy that there is no record in my Department of a formal meeting during the period in question with the PSI on applied behaviour analysis or indeed of a request from the...

Written Answers — Policy Reviews: Policy Reviews (18 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: When policy matters are under review in my Department it is desirable that, where possible, the views of parties with an interest in the specific matter will be solicited. As a general principle it is good practice that where clarification on an issue pertaining to a particular science is required in the context of policy considerations, the views of professionals, qualified in that science...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (18 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: A Road Safety programme for Transition Year, has been developed by the Road Safety Authority in collaboration with my Department, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and the Professional Development Service for Teachers and has been offered nationally as an option since September 2008, following a successful pilot in 2007/8. The programme is available in twenty hour and...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (18 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Implementation of Junior Cycle Reform will begin from 2014 onwards. There are 24 Statements of Learning in the new Junior Cycle Framework. It will be a matter for schools to determine, from the range of subjects and short courses on offer, how these statements of learning will be met. Reform will be introduced on a phased basis. All of the existing subjects are being continued, and Irish...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (18 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The information sought by the Deputy is an administrative matter for each agency and is not managed centrally by my Department. As the Deputy will be aware, the procurement of goods, works and services by bodies under the aegis of my Department is carried out in conformity with the EU Treaty principles of non-discrimination, equal treatment, transparency, mutual recognition, proportionality,...

Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Denmark.

Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The carefully rehearsed spontaneity.

Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Tell that to Joe the Plumber.

Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: So we have invisible regulations now.