Results 9,821-9,840 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (24 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that a response is issuing in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (24 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority. The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form and supporting documentation, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student should qualify for a grant. I understand from the awarding...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: One former school inspector is contracted as a consultant as the interim manager of three schools pending the amendment of the Vocational Education Act to enable patrons of these schools to establish Boards of Management. Another retired school inspector has been appointed to the board of directors of the Middletown Centre for Autism based at Armagh which is a body jointly funded by my...

Written Answers — School Patronage: School Patronage (25 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy will be aware, I officially launched the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector in April 2011. During the course of its work, the Advisory Group to the Forum conducted a number of public meetings and sought submissions. 215 written submissions were received initially and these were examined by the Advisory Group. Public working sessions with the main...

Written Answers — School Patronage: School Patronage (25 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 61 and 63 together. The Deputy will be aware that I recently published the Report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector. The overarching aim of the Forum's work was to ensure that schools cater for diversity and ensure an inclusive and respectful environment for all their pupils. The Advisory Group have...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (25 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The Government recognises that small schools are an important part of the social fabric of rural communities. They will continue to be a feature of our education landscape. However, this does not mean that small schools can stand still or never have their staffing levels changed to something that is more affordable and sustainable for these difficult and challenging times. Around 73 small...

Written Answers — Graduate Statistics: Graduate Statistics (25 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 to 69, inclusive, together. The data requested is provided in the following Table. Graduate data is not yet available for 2011. However, recent CAO data shows that the number of students expressing a first preference for Science courses (including Computing) at honours degree level (level 8) increased by 18.47% this year and over the five year period...

Written Answers — Information and Communications Techology: Information and Communications Techology (25 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The ICT Action Plan outlines a range of short and medium term measures to develop a sustainable domestic supply of high quality ICT graduates to support the further expansion and development of the ICT sector and support innovation and growth across other sectors of the economy. Since I published the Plan in January over 760 places have been made available on 17 new ICT conversion programmes...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (25 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment provided its advice to me on Junior Cycle Reform in late 2011. Since then, consideration has been ongoing in relation to the implementation of reform. Reform will be introduced on a phased basis. All of the existing subjects are being continued, and Irish (except where there is an exemption), English and Mathematics will remain core...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (25 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 74 together. The information sought by the Deputy on exemptions from the study of Irish held by students in post-primary schools is not readily available. I have asked my officials to compile the information and to forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available. The specific information sought by the Deputy regarding the breakdown of exemptions...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department has not incurred any expenditure on hair or make-up since February 2011.

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (25 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: In March 2011, the Government agreed new measures for Cabinet Ministers in relation to the provision of official transport to take effect from 1st May 2011. On my appointment as Minister from the 9th, March 2011 until the 30th, April 2011 I was provided with a state car. From the 1st, May 2011 in line with the revised procedures I have used my own car and I am provided with the services of...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (25 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 79 together. The staffing arrangements for the 2012/13 school year are set out in Primary Circular 0007/2012 which is available on my Department's website. As part of the reforms to the teacher allocation process existing posts are being used to put in place a network of over 2,500 full-time resource posts in close to 1,700 base schools throughout the...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (25 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The Primary Staffing Appeals Board met last week. A total of 367 schools submitted appeals to the Appeals Board. These appeals were considered in accordance with the appeals criteria set out in Department Staffing Circular 0007/2012. 205 schools had their appeals upheld by the Staffing Appeals Board. A summary outcome of the appeals is now published on my Department's website. Individual...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (25 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Since my appointment as Minister for Education and Skills in 2011, my Department has not made any payments to external public relations and communications consultants.

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (25 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I am happy to report to the Deputy that there has been no delay. The work on portfolios and e-portfolios is being progressed in the overall context of Junior Cycle Reform. I have asked the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to investigate the area of e-Portfolio assessment and the potential role that e-Portfolios might play in a reformed junior cycle. To inform this process, I...

Written Answers — School Openings: School Openings (25 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The information requested by the Deputy is detailed below as requested. School Openings 2006 – 2011 Year Opened County Roll No. School Name & Address New school /Amalgamation 2006 Limerick 76101I Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh, c/o Athenaeum Building, 30 Upper Cecil Street, Limerick New School 2006 Galway 76102K Gaelcholáiste Athenry, c/o VEC Offices, Coiléar Bán, Athenry, Co. Galway New...

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (25 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Under the terms of my Department's Free Fee Initiative the Exchequer meets the cost of tuition fees in respect of eligible students who are pursuing full-time undergraduate courses of study which are a minimum of two years duration in an approved institution. With effect from the 2011/2012 academic year, a new student contribution charge was introduced in higher education. This charge...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (25 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Circular 31/2011 details a cascade of measures for recruitment of teachers, prioritising unemployed registered teachers over retired registered teachers, and registered teachers over unregistered persons. Each principal must report to his or her board of management on a regular basis on the fact that a list of unemployed registered teachers is being maintained, and the circumstances in which...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (25 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority. I understand from the awarding authority in this case, County Wexford VEC, that the grant application from the student referred to by the Deputy was approved on the 17th of April 2012.