Results 10,681-10,700 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (28 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. The Design Team are currently working on the Stage 2a Submission (Developed Sketch Design) and, when complete, the school will forward this submission to my Department for review. Assuming no issues arise, the project will then proceed to stage 2(b) which includes planning...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (28 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 to 90, inclusive, together. In March 2011 approval was given for a number of new primary schools to commence operation in September 2011 and 2012 to cater for demographic needs. Approval was granted for two new primary schools in Ashbourne; one under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta to commence operation in September 2011, and the second under the...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (28 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy is aware, the Government's Medium Term Infrastructure and Capital Investment Framework, which was published on 10th November last, sets out the demographic challenge facing the education system. Total enrolment in both primary and post-primary schools is expected to grow by almost 70,000 between now and 2018 - over 45,000 at primary level and 25,000 at post primary - and will...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (28 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The new online grant application system has not changed the basis on which the income of self employed persons is determined. In the case where an accounting year end differs from the tax year, the income shown in the business accounts for a year which ends between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2011 is acceptable for the purposes of the Student Grant Scheme. This is the basis on which income...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (28 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: All appeals submitted to the Primary Staffing Appeal Board were considered in accordance with the published appeals criteria set out in my Department's Staffing Circular 0007/2012. The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal which was considered at the April meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. That appeal was unsuccessful on the basis that the school did not meet the...

Written Answers — School Patronage: School Patronage (28 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The assessment of the applications received for patronage of new second level schools, including in the area referred to, is being finalised and it is expected that the New Schools Establishment Group will be in a position shortly to make recommendations to me for consideration and final decision.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (28 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy may be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a formal role under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004 to advise me as Minister in relation to any matter relating to the education of children and others with disabilities. It is my intention that the significant resources to support children with Special Educational...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (28 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: On the 19th of December 2011 I announced details of 56 major school building projects planned to advance to construction in 2012. A further 60 schools under construction at that time also form part of the 2012 building programme. These projects are part of a €430m education infrastructure plan for 2012 and represent the first phase of a €2 billion five-year plan. Of the 116 schools...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (28 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Over the last number of years my Department has introduced various measures to both monitor and manage sick leave. Since 2010 when an officer returns to work from a period of sick leave a return to work form must be completed by their immediate line manager and where necessary a return to work meeting is held. These forms are returned to Personnel Section and held on the individuals personnel...

Written Answers — Public Sector Reform: Public Sector Reform (28 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The Implementation Body published its second review of the Public Service (Croke Park) Agreement on 13 June 2012 which reviewed progress made and savings achieved during the second year of the Agreement. A copy of this review is available on the Implementation Body website www.implementationbody.gov.ie . The first review of the Public Service Agreement was published in June 2011 and is also...

Written Answers — Skills Shortages: Skills Shortages (3 Jul 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The joint Government-Industry ICT Action Plan, which I launched in January this year, was developed as a direct response to specific skills shortages in the ICT sector. The Plan outlines a range of short, medium and long 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...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (3 Jul 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 maintenance grant. Officials in my...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (3 Jul 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The only costs incurred by my Department in relation to providing services through the Irish language were in respect of the translation of documents and the provision of Irish language training to staff. It is a requirement of the Official Languages Act that documents setting out public policy proposals, annual reports, statements of strategy, and matters considered to be of major public...

Written Answers — After School Support Services: After School Support Services (3 Jul 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: All recognised national schools running costs are met by my Departments schemes of capitation and ancillary service grants. Schools receive capitation funding in January and June, and the ancillary services grant in March. The amount paid to an individual national school by way of capitation and ancillary services grants is determined by the school's enrolment, subject to a minimum grant in...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (3 Jul 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: There are currently 19 one teacher schools in the primary school system. Based on information available to my Department there will be 16 such schools in the coming school year 2012/13.

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (3 Jul 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department has recently published updated "Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools". These procedures are based on the recently published "Children First – National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011" and apply to all primary and post-primary schools, irrespective of size. The new procedures incorporate significant improvements to the...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (3 Jul 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is the national statutory body with responsibility for ensuring that health and safety requirements are met by all employers, including schools. The Authority also provides information and advice to organisations to assist them in ensuring that their responsibilities in respect of health and safety in the workplace are met. The HSA has published a...

Written Answers — School Patronage: School Patronage (3 Jul 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy may be aware, in June 2011, I announced the need for the establishment of 20 new primary schools to cater for increased demographics across a number of locations up to 2017, including the Sandymount/ Ringsend area in Dublin 2/4. I also announced new arrangements for the recognition and determination of patronage of these new primary and post-primary schools. The new arrangements...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (3 Jul 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department has approved funding for the construction of a mainstream classroom as well as accommodation for pupils with special educational needs at the school to which he refers. A letter confirming this approval has issued to the school authority.

Written Answers — Free Fee Scheme: Free Fee Scheme (3 Jul 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Under the terms of my Department's Free Fee Scheme 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 higher education institution. The main conditions of the scheme are that students must be first-time undergraduates, hold inter alia EU/EEA/Swiss...