Results 12,781-12,800 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Institutions (24 Jun 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: UCD is an autonomous institution within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997. The management of its academic affairs and organisational structures are matters for which the Governing Body and the management authorities of UCD are responsible. All universities receive a block grant from the Higher Education Authority and it is a matter for each institution to determine how it is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Capitation Grants (25 Jun 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department provides capitation funding to all recognised primary schools. The amount of grant paid to an individual primary school for capitation and ancillary services is determined by the school's enrolment, subject to a minimum grant for both capitation and ancillary services in respect of schools with enrolments up to 60, and a maximum ancillary services grant in the case of schools...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (25 Jun 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: Third Level Charges (25 Jun 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: There were some 129,300 students in receipt of free fees funding in the academic year 2013/14. Based on this figure the total additional revenue that will be generated by Higher Education Institutions as a result of the increase in the Student Contribution from €2,750 to €3,000 for the 2015/16 academic year will be some €32m. This additional income is taken into account...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staffing (25 Jun 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I understand the question to relate to an administrative position. The Deputy is familiar with the moratorium which came into effect from 27th March 2009 and which is being implemented following a Government decision which is binding upon all Government departments, non-commercial state bodies and agencies. No public service post, however arising, may be filled by recruitment, promotion or...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (25 Jun 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The HEA are currently working on a draft report on student accommodation which will give us an up to date picture of the situation. As I have already stated, some institutions provide a range of accommodation, and all colleges have an obligation to work with students' unions and other groups, to provide students with details on accommodation options. Initiatives such as USI's 'Homes for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Momentum Programme (25 Jun 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I have been informed by SOLAS, who manage the Momentum Programme, that, based on the average contract value of places in the last round of the programme, the contract value for 500 places would be approximately €1.5 million. Momentum is a performance based contract where contractors have to achieve a series of milestones to release payments. In view of this, the full contract value...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (25 Jun 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The major school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning. The Design Team and Boards of Management were authorised in April 2015 to proceed to complete Stage 2B - Detailed Design Stage, which includes the application for statutory approvals (including Planning Permission) and the preparation of tender documents. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (25 Jun 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: Eligibility for assistance from Caranua is confined to those who received awards from the Redress Board or equivalent Court awards or settlements. This approach was taken having regard to the maximum funds available of €110 million and a potential pool of some 15,000 applicants. I intend to consider the question of a review of the arrangements relating to eligibility later this year...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (25 Jun 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: This is an operational matter for SOLAS who manage the Apprenticeship System. I understand from SOLAS that apprentices who do not successfully complete modular assessments on their first attempt are entitled to two repeat assessments. A modular assessment may therefore be taken up to three times. Apprentices who fail a modular assessment for a third time will be deemed to have their...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Site Acquisitions (25 Jun 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: Officials from my Department are currently working closely with officials from Galway County Council in relation to the acquisition of suitable sites to facilitate the provision of a number of school building projects in the area referred to by the Deputy. This acquisition process continues to be progressed. The provision of permanent school accommodation for the schools referred to by the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Student Accommodation (30 Jun 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I appreciate the concerns about the availability of accommodation for students and, for that reason, have asked the Higher Education Authority to report on the issue. The authority is working on a draft report on the availability of student accommodation which will be available shortly and give us an up-to-date picture of the situation. In that context, I will continue to work with...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Student Accommodation (30 Jun 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I have engaged with the HEA, the Union of Students in Ireland and individual universities and institutes of technology on the issue. While many of them provide extensive accommodation, I accept that the issue is particularly critical in the Dublin area and, to some extent, Galway and Cork. I am aware from discussions that some of the third level institutions are actively engaged on the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Student Accommodation (30 Jun 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I am somewhat surprised at the vehemence of the Deputy in his response because the collapse of the construction industry provides much of the reason we do not have accommodation available.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Student Accommodation (30 Jun 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: Up to a few years ago students were able to find accommodation, but the construction industry collapsed because the economy had collapsed. As a result and as the Deputy is well aware, funding had to be cut and the student registration fee had to be increased because of the state of the economy. I am aware that some institutes are engaged in seeking to find a solution. We also have, for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Primary Online Database (30 Jun 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The primary online database was rolled out across the primary school system during the 2014 to 2015 academic year. The primary online database, POD, will allow the Department to more closely monitor and evaluate progress and outcomes of pupils at primary level, to validate school enrolment returns for grant payment and teacher allocation purposes, and to follow up on pupils who do not make...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Primary Online Database (30 Jun 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: We have responded to all the concerns of the Data Protection Commissioner and the April memo was prepared partially as a result of that. In response to the specific question of whether amending legislation is required, I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department is engaged with the Department of Social Protection, under whose remit the making of the necessary regulations fall, to make the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Primary Online Database (30 Jun 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: We have agreed, in association with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, on the creation of non-identifiable records. My officials have had extensive and ongoing communication with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner on the issues it has raised and we accept their validity. The Data Protection Commissioner is satisfied that we have responded to the concerns, including...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Schools Health and Safety (30 Jun 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I welcome the valuable findings in the Irish Heart Foundation survey of 39 post-primary schools published in April. The Government has published Healthy Ireland - A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013 - 2025. Healthy Ireland aims to improve the health not only of students but also of the nation. Education has a key role to play in the Healthy Ireland agenda. My Department,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Schools Health and Safety (30 Jun 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: Drinking water should be available in all post-primary schools. If a problem is identified with a school's water supply, it can submit an application to my Department for emergency funding to correct the problem. I am aware of some cases in which drinking water is supplied from machines. I drink water from my tap at home and, I am sure, most people in this House do likewise. The water...