Results 10,721-10,740 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Other Questions: Technological Universities (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I am sorry; I misunderstood. The terms of reference relating to the establishment of a technological university were set very carefully with outside expert advice on what would be required to be sure that we can stand over the quality and so on. Mr. Kelly does not have any leeway in that regard. There are very good reasons for those terms of reference. They are about ensuring that people...

Other Questions: Technological Universities (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: There are many requirements but they are carefully balanced to ensure we end up with an institution that is worthy of the title "technological university".

Other Questions: Technological Universities (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I will probably have to come back to Deputy O'Brien on that.

Other Questions: School Enrolments (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: Between 2012 and 2015, five new schools will have been established to meet demographic needs in the north Kildare area. This includes the establishment of a Gaelscoil and an all-Irish aonad in a new post-primary school to enhance provision though the medium of Irish in the area. The patronage of all these new schools was determined by an open process in which the level of parental demand...

Other Questions: School Enrolments (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I assure the Deputy that the situation remains under continual review. Obviously, what she has said today will be brought back to the Department. The post-primary review is under way. The Deputy raised the post-primary issue. I can come back to the Deputy on how that review is progressing, etc. It is under way. I acknowledge that County Kildare is very much a growing demographic area....

Other Questions: School Enrolments (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The intention is to give people those choices. The Deputy described what happened in the past, but Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí around the country have been recognised, have their own patron bodies and are well established. There is no unwillingness on the part of the Government or the Department to support that choice. The Deputy's point is that there are not enough...

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects Status (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: As the Deputy is aware, a building project for the school is being progressed within my Department's architectural planning process. I understand that the school's design team and school authority are working on the stage 2(a) report. A stage 2(a) stakeholders meeting will be arranged when the report is finalised. In these circumstances, I do not consider that convening a meeting as...

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects Status (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: On the Donegal school, I understand that the design team is finalising the stage two report. It would not, therefore, be appropriate for me to meet the school representatives until they have finalised that and given it to the Department. There will certainly be stakeholders' meetings but at this stage I do not think there is any point in me meeting them because the ball is in their court in...

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects Status (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I reiterate that it would not be appropriate for me to meet a delegation while the design process is still in train. I am sure Deputy McConalogue will raise the matter again when that process has been completed. The next school building programme is to commence in 2016. We are working on drawing up that programme at present. There are some schools with building projects that are ready...

Other Questions: School Staffing (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: In accordance with the Education Act 1998, teachers are employed by the school management authority of each individual school. In the case referred to by the Deputy, in 2009 the school management sought to dismiss the teacher concerned. The Maynooth statute provided that "a clerical manager shall not dismiss a teacher or assistant, male or female, or give notice of dismissal, until the...

Other Questions: School Staffing (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: There is ongoing litigation between the teacher concerned and the Minister for Education and Skills and, accordingly, I am not in a position to comment. The Department of Education and Skills lodged its amended statement of defence on 4 September 2014. The Department carries out regular inspections but inspections can also be undertaken in specific circumstances. As part of its annual...

Other Questions: School Staffing (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I am not unsympathetic to the general philosophy behind the matter raised by Deputy Daly, but because there is ongoing legal action on the specific case, I cannot comment on it. In general, if concerns arise about behaviour in schools, the Department inspects and monitors the situation and will give undertakings, when necessary, in such cases.

Other Questions: Schools Building Contractors (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: All school building projects which are funded from public moneys, are required to use the forms of contract provided under the capital works management framework which includes a suite of public works contracts, standard conditions of engagement, model forms, suitability assessment questionnaires and guidance notes published by the Office of Government Procurement, OGP. As the Deputy is...

Other Questions: Schools Building Contractors (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I have engaged in discussions with Unite on that specific issue of the workers' rate of pay. The Deputy has provided a slightly simplistic way of describing it. In respect of the ongoing dispute at the site referred to by the Deputy, I understand that both parties have attended a Labour Court hearing, a construction industry disputes tribunal hearing and also a Labour Relations Commission...

Other Questions: Schools Building Contractors (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: That is absolutely the determination of my Department and the reason we report anything untoward to the various relevant authorities. On a point of clarification, the CAS audit is being continued. It is a full monitoring service for the duration of the contract. On the question of the pay rate of €5 an hour, I wish to clarify that this is not straightforward, direct employment,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Industrial Disputes (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I have met with the Teacher Unions and also the other education partners on a number of occasions since my appointment as Minister last summer. In November 2014, I tabled what I believe is a fair and reasonable proposal. The Unions did not accept my proposal but acknowledged that it was significant. After both teacher strikes, in December and last week, I noted that their strike action was...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Value for Money Reviews (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The report of the value for money review of small primary schools will be published as soon as my Government colleagues and I have finalised our consideration of the report and its recommendations. I am not in a position to give a precise publication date at this time.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Disadvantage (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: My key priority at present in relation to educational disadvantage is to continue to maintain and prioritise resources for schools with the most concentrated levels of disadvantage. The last Budget included an increase in spending on education for the first time in recent years, amounting to additional funding of €60m during 2015. This funding will be used to provide 1,700...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Language Schools (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The judgment in relation to legal proceedings challenging some aspects of the planned reforms to international education was received on Tuesday 13th January, and since that point, I have been involved in a number of discussions on this matter. The range of options that are available to progress the reforms in a manner consistent with the High Court decision and without prejudice to a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Site Acquisitions (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Carrigtwohill/ Midleton area is projected by my Department's Forward Planning section to undergo significant increases in educational demand in the coming years. In that context, projects to provide permanent buildings for Gaelscoil Mhainistir na Corann and Midleton Educate Together National School were included in the five year school building programme. In December I announced that the...