Results 10,061-10,080 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staffing (19 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: When the moratorium on the filling of posts of responsibility was introduced in 2009, the Government exempted Principal and Deputy Principal posts in all primary and post-primary schools. These posts continue to be replaced in the normal manner. The impact of the moratorium was therefore limited to the Assistant Principal and Special Duties posts of responsibility. The alleviation...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (19 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Local Training Initiatives are managed and operated by local groups and the staff are employed by these groups. Responsibility for funding Local Training Initiatives has recently moved from SOLAS to the each of the Education and Training Boards. The Department has issued a sanction to fund enhanced redundancy for former employees of Local Training Initiatives where appropriate. I...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Transport (19 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The cost of ministerial transport in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 is €101,974, €158,723, €198,184 and €212,210 respectively. These figures include the salary of the civilian drivers for the Minister and Minister of State, the subsistence costs incurred by the drivers and the amount of travel and subsistence paid to the Minister and the Minister of State. Cabinet...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: State Examinations (19 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank Senators O'Donnell and Craughwell for raising this issue. Since my appointment as Minister, I have consulted widely with all education partners on the proposed reform of the junior cycle. I have met with parents, students, management bodies, school leaders and teachers' unions. To progress the debate, it was agreed that Department officials would meet with the teachers' unions....

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: State Examinations (19 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I am willing to look at any information or research that anyone gives me and I have been reading much of it myself. To reiterate, the SEC will stand over all of this certificate, not just 60% of it. They will stand over the assessment that is done in the schools as well as the 60% at the end. We trust the SEC and they will do that.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: State Examinations (19 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: First, they will be doing checks on up to 15%.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: State Examinations (19 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Second, there will be a very careful system of grading and marking and explaining how it is done, etc. There will be an interaction. Senator O'Donnell referred to her experience and I respect that, but at the level of higher or further education people assess their own students all the time.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: State Examinations (19 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: That is acceptable

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: State Examinations (19 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Yes, that is exactly what I am referring to.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: State Examinations (19 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: There is assessment at higher education level.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: State Examinations (19 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Sorry, Chair, we are having some interaction. It is clear that we all feel very strongly on this issue.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: State Examinations (19 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Yes.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: State Examinations (19 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I had a meeting with the teacher unions today. Despite the fact that we did not reach agreement, we interacted quite well in terms of some of the issues involved.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: State Examinations (19 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I reiterate that I have made a significant change to what was on the table. I do need some comeback on the other side.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: State Examinations (19 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I will

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Skills Development (20 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department has a number of strategies and initiatives in place to ensure that further education and training meets the skills requirements of the workplace. SOLAS with the assistance of relevant experts such as the ESRI, employers and local and national organisations have published a five year strategy for the further education and training sector which provides us with a strategic roadmap...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Refurbishment (20 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department's Planning and Building Unit has no record of receiving an application under the Emergency Works Scheme from the school referred to by the Deputy for works to the playground. Should an application be received, it will be assessed and the school authorities will be notified of the outcome.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (20 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Deputy will be aware that the establishment of a network of autism-specific special classes in schools across the country to cater for children with autism has been a key educational priority in recent years. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Parent and Student Charter (20 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Deputy will be aware that changes to the Education Act, 1998 will be necessary to provide for and support the introduction of a Parent and Student Charter. With this in mind, a set of principles will be required to act as a charter to strengthen the relationship between parents, students and schools, and the position of parents and students generally within the school system. I plan to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (20 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: As part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage...