Results 12,141-12,160 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (20 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Over time the external Junior Certificate examination is to be phased out and externally set, administered and marked examinations will no longer be a feature of the final asessment at Junior Cycle. During the transition period, elements of the external examination will continue to be in place until they are fully phased out. Assessment in the new Junior Cycle will be supported by my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (20 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: A technical inspection of the prefabricated accommodation in the school, referred to by the Deputy, was carried out by my Department in October 2010. According to the report provided by the Technical Team, the prefabs were found to be in good condition and well maintained with no major defects or barriers to purchase. A decision was made to purchase the rented accommodation as it provided...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Expenditure Reviews (20 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Under the expenditure ceilings set as part of last year's Comprehensive Expenditure Review, my Department is required to secure savings on current expenditure of €77 million in 2013. Due to the size and complexity of the Education and Skills Vote it is normal, and has been the case in recent years, for upward expenditure pressures to emerge in any given year. The net effect of these...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (20 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that on the 19th November, 2012 a request for further documentation was issued to the student referred to by the Deputy. When the requested documentation is returned the student will be notified directly of the outcome.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Capitation Grants (20 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy is aware Budget 2012 provided for a 2% reduction in the funding for capitation and related grants to primary and second level schools in both 2012 and 2013 and a further 1% in 2014 and 2015. Due to my decision last February to retain posts from previous disadvantage schemes in DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 primary schools, it was necessary to generate alternative savings within the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (20 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides resources to State-recognised schools to ensure that children with special educational needs have access to an appropriate education with additional supports as necessary. The NCSE is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for processing applications from schools for special educational...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (20 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to clarify for the Deputy that a preferred tenderer (BAM PPP) was appointed in September 2011 following which planning applications were submitted for each of the sites. Grant of planning was received for the last of the sites in May 2012. The contract was awarded to BAM on Friday 9th November and construction of the eight schools has now commenced.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Tuition Scheme (20 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The Home Tuition scheme provides funding to parents to provide education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting a suitable educational placement. Parents engage tutors directly and the grant is paid to the parent either on a monthly basis in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (20 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Ireland (SUSI), the new centralised grant awarding authority, that the student referred to by the Deputy submitted a grant application after the closing date on the 14th September. While SUSI are still accepting late applications priority is being given to applications that were received before the closing date. Supporting...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (20 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The person referred to by the Deputy is now re-graded to the correct salary and arrears will issue to him on 22nd November.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (20 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is currently considering the position relating to the accommodation needs of the school to which he refers. My officials are liaising with the school authorities in this regard.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (20 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department's position is that as each child with autism is unique, they should have access to a range of different approaches to meet their individual needs. Applied Behavioural Analysis, or ABA, is one of the approaches used in special classes for children with autism. The use of ABA as part of the range of interventions is particularly useful for addressing behavioural issues. My...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Application Numbers (20 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together. The data in relation to the number and value of student grants paid by the 13 November 2011 is not available in my Department. SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority as at the 16th November, 2012 paid student maintenance grants to some 4,420 students to the value of €1,385,291.42. In addition fee grants to the value...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (20 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department strives to ensure that a continuum of special education provision is available as required for children with special educational needs. In line with this approach the policy is to promote a child-centred approach to education of all children with special educational needs including those with autism. As each child with autism is unique they should have access to a range of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Training (20 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 247, 250, 251 and 252 together. I have accepted the recommendations set out in a report commissioned by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on the structures of initial teacher education. The purpose of the report, which I requested, was to identify new possible structures to improve initial teacher education in Ireland so that it is comparable with the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (20 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: In accordance with the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Education Act, 1998 a board of management must publish the admission policy of the school, including the policy of the school relating to admission to or participation by students who have special educational needs. The Deputy will also be aware that last year, I launched a discussion paper on school enrolment. The "Discussion...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (20 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that on the 2nd November, 2012 a request for further documentation was issued to the student referred to by the Deputy. When the requested documentation is returned the student will be notified directly of the outcome.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Qualifications (20 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Circular PPT 06/02 is the most recent Circular to have issued regarding eligibility for appointment to Deputy Principal posts in Vocational Schools and Community Colleges. Candidates for appointment are required to have a minimum of five years' whole-time teaching service or its equivalent. I will arrange for a copy of Memo V.7 and Circular PPT 06/02 to be sent to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (20 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy a grant has been awarded and an award letter issued on 19th November, 2012.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (20 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy a grant has been awarded and an award letter issued on 19th November, 2012