Results 12,221-12,240 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Bodies (12 May 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: Comprehensive information in relation to the composition of the boards of non-commercial State bodies under the aegis of the Department of Education and Skills, which includes the information requested by the Deputy, can be downloaded from my Department's website at In respect of the appointment process, under new Guidelines for Appointments to State Boards, which can be viewed on the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Information and Communications Technology (12 May 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: Work commenced in July 2013 on the development of a new Digital Strategy for Schools. A comprehensive consultation process was undertaken so that all views were heard. The five year strategy will address the key issues identified in the consultation including teaching, learning and assessment using ICT, Teacher professional learning, leadership and ICT Infrastructure. Work is currently...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Applications (12 May 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Design Team on the project to which the Deputy refers has recently completed stage 2(a) and has been authorised to progress to Stage 2(b), which includes the application for planning permission and other statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. Following the completion of stage 2(b) the project will then proceed to tender and construction stages. The project is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Emergency Works Scheme Applications (12 May 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The school referred to by the Deputy has applied for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme for repairs to the heating system at the school. This application is currently being assessed and the school authority will be notified of the outcome of this assessment as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Placement (12 May 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Transition Year (TY) is a one-year programme designed to act as a bridge between the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate programmes. It is available to all second level schools. The management authority of each school carries responsibility for making decisions regarding the Transition Year Programme in that school. In some schools, the programme is compulsory for all students....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Industrial Disputes (12 May 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: Following lengthy discussions facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) in August 2013 and February 2014, terms of reference were agreed for an internal job evaluation exercise to establish the correct rate of pay for the employees of all grades within the Tyndall National Institute. The terms of reference covered all staff in the Institute comprehended by the unions' parity claim,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Garda Vetting Application Numbers (12 May 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The existing Garda vetting arrangements for the recognised schools sector operate on a non-statutory basis and have been in place for new employees since 2006. The number of teachers vetted under the non-statutory arrangements continues to steadily increase with about 54,000 of the 90,000 teachers on the Teaching Council register now vetted. The remaining 36,000 who have not yet been vetted...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (12 May 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: Teacher allocations to all second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website. In accordance with these rules each school management authority is required to organise its subject...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Tuition Scheme Administration (12 May 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Deputy was advised on April 30th 2013 that the Home Tuition Scheme operated by my Department is designed to support children who are not in a position to attend school and, because of this, it is generally the case that the tuition is provided at the child's place of residence. In the majority of cases therefore, there will be 1 child in receipt of an individualised educational programme...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (12 May 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 downloading...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (12 May 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The National Council for Special Education is currently at an advanced stage in the preparation of policy advice on the education of children with autism. I expect that the NCSE final report, which is due to be delivered shortly, will reflect the broadest possible range of views, both National and International, and will provide recommendations which will assist the development of policy on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (12 May 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Deputy will be aware that the Home Tuition Scheme is designed to support children who are not in a position to attend school and, because of this, it is generally the case that the tuition is provided at the child's place of residence. In the majority of cases therefore, there will be 1 child in receipt of an individualised educational programme on a 1:1 basis. Funding is provided by my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Transition Year Selection Process (12 May 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Transition Year (TY) is a one-year programme designed to act as a bridge between the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate programmes. It is available to all second level schools. The management authority of each school carries responsibility for making decisions regarding the Transition Year Programme in that school. In some schools, the programme is compulsory for all students....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (12 May 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department is in the process of updating its estimate of the impact of demographics on expenditure on the Education and Skills Vote, to take account of latest available projections of pupil numbers over the years ahead. It is planned that this exercise will be completed shortly. However, earlier indicative figures of the cost of providing for demographics were set out in an analytical...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (12 May 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department is currently carrying out a nationwide demographic exercise to determine where additional post-primary school places might be needed from 2017 onwards. This includes an examination of the Newbridge area. On foot of this review, arrangements will be made to provide additional post-primary accommodation where this is needed. In the meantime, a building project to provide for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Shared Services (12 May 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Department of Education and Skills, under the mandate of the Public Service Reform Plan for 2014 – 2016, published the Education and Training Sector Shared Services Plan 2014 – 2016. The Shared Services Plan committed to an extensive programme of reform which includes projects for Higher Education, the schools sector, SOLAS and the Education and Training Boards (ETB's), the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (13 May 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Deputy will be aware that July Provision is available to all special schools and mainstream primary schools with special classes catering for children with autism that choose to extend their education services through the month of July. My Department also provides July Provision for pupils with a severe/profound general learning disability. Where school based provision is not feasible,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Skills Development (13 May 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 170 to 172, inclusive, together. An important part of my Department's remit is to ensure that structures and programmes are in place to give learners the opportunity to acquire relevant quality education and training that will provide them with the necessary skills to compete for jobs. According to the Annual Bulletins from the Expert Group on Future Skills...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Emergency Works Scheme Applications (13 May 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme to replace a water tank and associated works at the school. My Department's Planning and Building Unit has sought further clarification from the school authority and this information is currently awaited. As soon as the information is received, a final decision will be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Language Schools Closures (13 May 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: A number of measures have already been put in place to support students who have been affected by the English language school closures. A Task Force to assist students was established in 2014, and the report of the Taskforce was published on 2nd September 2014. On the basis of Marketing English in Ireland's (MEI) involvement with the Task Force, MEI schools have been assisting genuine...