Results 11,021-11,040 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second Stage (11 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I will respond to the debate later in the day.

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second Stage (11 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I will respond to the debate at the end of Second Stage, as is normal.

Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (11 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy Mitchell for raising this important issue. I will outline the current position. The Deputy will be aware that the Government is committed to ensuring that all children with special educational needs, including autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post-primary school network. Such placements...

Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (11 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: Every child is entitled to an education, irrespective of whether he or she has a disability. The education (admission to schools) Bill that the Deputy referred to will contain a provision requiring all schools to have a statement in their admissions policy indicating they do not discriminate on any of the grounds included in the equality legislation. Disability is one of those grounds....

Topical Issue Debate: Educational Disadvantage (11 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy Brendan Ryan. Given the current economic climate and the target to reduce public expenditure, prioritising and maintaining resources for children at risk of educational disadvantage is a significant challenge. As the Deputy stated, even in difficult times, both under my predecessor and in the recent budget, we protected the DEIS budget. The current focus of my Department is...

Topical Issue Debate: Educational Disadvantage (11 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: This report will certainly give us an opportunity to look at the whole programme, including whether there are areas left out. The allocation from my budget for 2014 was €96.5 million. There is also €26 million for the school completion programme, which comes from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and €36.7 million comes for the school meals programme from the...

Topical Issue Debate: Technological Universities (11 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank both Deputies. The objectives of the technological sector reform are to raise standards, to deliver better quality outcomes for students and for other stakeholders in the region and to enhance the performance of institutes of technology. This should be the case whether they are seeking technological university status or remaining as stand-alone institutes. As part of the...

Topical Issue Debate: Technological Universities (11 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: Deputy O'Brien stated that a claim has been lodged with the Labour Relations Commission. Therefore, I must be careful as to my engagement with the matter. None of us is happy to hear that there are concerns. The criteria for the various stages of the process were always very clear from the start, such as the bar that had to be reached in order to move from one stage to the next. I do not...

Topical Issue Debate: Technological Universities (11 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I will give it some thought as to what assistance the Department can give.

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank the large number of Deputies who participated in the debate. I thank the Opposition parties for their indication that they will support the Bill. Amendments will be put forward, as indicated by Sinn Féin. I welcome the general support for the Bill. The title, the Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014, meant a wide range of issues were raised that are probably...

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (11 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-committee on Education and Skills pursuant to Standing Orders 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Language Schools (11 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: Ireland has an excellent international reputation for the quality of education services delivered to both our own citizens and those who come here from abroad. The vast majority of providers of education and training to international students in the State operate to a high standard and are motivated by the desire to enable learners to reach their potential. However, it is evident that a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (11 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. The State Examinations Commission operates a scheme of Reasonable Accommodations in the Certificate examinations. Applications for such accommodations are submitted by schools on behalf of their students. Full details of the scheme are available for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Closures (11 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Deputy will be aware that the Education Act (1998) provides for a general statutory framework for the administration of the education system at first and second level. Individual institutions in the education sector have varying degrees of autonomy according to their status and statutory provisions. The Act also provides for the right of schools to manage their own affairs in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (11 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded to him shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (11 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department does not have a specific definition of a rural school. Rural areas differ in terms of their geography and population density and schools vary in terms of their enrolment size.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (11 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department does not define small schools in terms of strategic importance. Every school, small and large, may be regarded by the community it serves as being of strategic importance to that community.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (11 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: An application for retirement on grounds of permanent infirmity has been received from the person to whom the Deputy refers. The statutory basis for Ill Health Retirement pension benefit for members of the Teachers' Superannuation Schemes in Primary, Secondary, Community and Comprehensive Schools is contained in the Secondary, Community and Comprehensive School Teachers Pension Scheme 2009...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Bullying in Schools (11 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: Following the publication of the "Action Plan on Bullying" in January 2013 a collaborative process involving the teacher support services under the remit of my Department undertook a review of the existing provision. Subsequently a three phased approach was put in place to provide a comprehensive programme of support for teachers in primary and post primary schools in the area of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Bullying in Schools (11 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: As the Deputy may be aware, the topic of child protection and e-safety, including measures to combat cyber-bullying were discussed at the most recent Plenary meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council. This topic will be discussed at a future meeting of the Council and the potential for future North-South cooperation in this area will be part of those discussions. The suggestion of...