Results 10,841-10,860 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (28 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I wish to advise the Deputy that the project for the school, referred to, is being progressed into architectural planning and has been assigned for the appointment of a design team. As the Deputy will be aware, the school in question is one of a number of schools which it was not possible to include in the 5 Year construction programme. However the school project is being progressed to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (28 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I wish to advise the Deputy that the school in question has recently submitted an application for additional accommodation to my Department. The application will be assessed and a decision conveyed to the school authorities as soon as this process has been completed.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (28 Jan 2015)

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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Administration (28 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: It is necessary that information regarding all income is accounted for when completing the grant application form. In this regard the assessment of means under my Department 's student grant scheme is based on the applicant's gross income from all sources and his/her parent(s)/legal guardian where applicable; with certain social welfare and health service executive payments being exempt. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Data (28 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Government decided in late 2012 that voluntary redundancy can be introduced in certain targeted sections of the public service where staff surpluses are identified by management and where redeployment is not suitable. The purpose of the scheme is to assist Government in implementing restructuring and reform in a strategic and targeted manner. In terms of my own Department, there is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Physical Education Facilities (28 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The specific information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I wish to assure the Deputy that my Department fully recognises the key role of physical exercise within the school environment and continues to respond to the need to improve PE facilities for all pupils attending schools within the constraints of the available funding. I also wish to advise the Deputy that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (28 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I can confirm to the Deputy that the schools in question have applied to my Department for significant funding to undertake major capital works. In this regard, my Department undertook a site visit to the schools and is currently considering the outcome of this visit. My Department expects to be in further contact with the schools regarding their application shortly.

Seanad: Universities (Development and Innovation) (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (28 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank Senator Barrett for the work and thought he has put into the drafting of his Bill. I also thank Senator Crown for his contribution and I look forward to hearing the contributions of Senators Quinn and Norris. One of the great advantages of having a debate in this House on universities is the fact that we have a considerable amount of expertise among the Senators who are elected...

Seanad: Universities (Development and Innovation) (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (28 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Senator was also one of my lecturers.

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: It is somewhat important in trying to save money.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Youth Unemployment Measures (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: As part of the Government's Action Plan for Jobs initiative my predecessor appointed an independent group to carry out a review of the Irish Apprenticeship system to determine whether the current model should be retained, adapted or replaced. The first stage of the review process involved the preparation of a background issues paper. and part of the process involved an examination of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy, is currently completing the advanced stage of Architectural Planning, Stage 2b – Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of Tender Documents. All relevant statutory approvals have been obtained. The school and its design team...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Bullying in Schools (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Deputy will be aware that my Department published new anti-bullying procedures for all primary and post primary schools at the beginning of the 2013/14 school year. These procedures are designed to give direction and guidance to school authorities and school personnel in preventing and tackling school-based bullying behaviour amongst its pupils. The procedures recognise that parents...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The majority of support for pre-school provision is funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. My Department's role is to work in partnership with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to improve the quality of pre-school provision. As part of this cross-Departmental work, there is a commitment in 'Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the Children and Young People's Policy...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Placement (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department's policy focuses on ensuring that all children with special educational needs can have access to an education appropriate to their needs and abilities. A range of placement options for pupils with special educational needs is provided, in order to ensure that all pupils can receive a school placement. Many pupils with special educational...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Tuition Scheme (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: In recent years my Department has approved a number of group arrangements with private pre-school providers in respect of children who are eligible for and who have received approval for tuition under the Home Tuition Scheme. My Department is in receipt of the proposal to which the Deputy has referred. My officials have been in contact with the group and are arranging a meeting to discuss...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Placement (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Educational Welfare Services (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The EWS may be able to offer assistance and advice on securing a school placement within the pupil's area. The contact details for the EWS Child and Family Agency Head Office, 16-22 Green Street,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The means test arrangements of the Student Grant Scheme are applied nationally on the same basis to both employed and self-employed applicants. Gross income before the deduction of income tax or universal social charge, is assessed with certain specified social welfare and health service executive payments excluded. Therefore, the assessment of income from the same starting point is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Refurbishment (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I wish to advise the Deputy that a building project to provide an extension to the school in question is currently at Stage 2A of the architectural planning process. The Patron Body and their Design Team are finalising the Stage 2A report for presentation to my Department. Upon completion of this presentation and submission of the report to my Department and subject to no issues arising,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff Remuneration (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 167 together. The person referred to by the Deputy was employed in a full time Special Needs Assistant (SNA) post until 31 August 2014. From that date, the post in question became surplus to the allocation of SNAs to the school and the SNA was deemed to be a member of the SNA Supplementary Assignment Panel. The person referred to, obtained a...