Results 13,281-13,300 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Qualifications Recognition (22 Sep 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: It is a matter for the National University of Ireland (NUI) to provide translations of any documents issued by it on behalf of NUI Galway. I have no role in the day to day operations of the NUI or of the universities, as the relevant legislation provides that they are autonomous in the performance of their functions. However, on receipt of the translation of her degree this person may...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (22 Sep 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support, which is set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014. All...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (22 Sep 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Deputy will be aware that student grant applications are means tested on gross income from all sources earned inside and outside the State within a specified reference period. The means test arrangements of the Student Grant Scheme are applied nationally. The assessment of income from the same starting point is deemed to be fair and reasonable because this approach eliminates any...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Guidance Counsellors (22 Sep 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I have no plans to return to a situation where there would be a separate allocation for guidance in schools. If economic recovery continues I hope the Government will be in a position to improve the standard staffing allocation to schools. However, I believe that it is desirable to give schools discretion on how to use those increased resources. Enhancing supports for schools, including...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Equipment (22 Sep 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department disseminated approximately €7m in grants to 450 post primary schools for the purchase of computers for use in Design and Communication Graphics (DCG). My Department has also made arrangements for the purchase and provision of CAD Software for Schools. There is a process in place for schools who which to appeal their allocation received under the scheme. Appeals must...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (22 Sep 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: Very significant numbers of third-level students move out of home to go to college and continue to be supported by their parents while in full-time education. Confirmation that a student is living separately from their parents/guardians is, of itself, not sufficient to establish independent status. When considering whether a student meets the conditions to be assessed independently of his...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Placement (22 Sep 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I responded to the correspondence in question in May 2015. However I am aware that the issue is ongoing as it involves the placement of a child with special educational needs. As the Deputy is aware the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Refurbishment (22 Sep 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for capital funding for an extension. I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has reviewed the scope of the project and has recently finalised the accommodation brief for the school in question. In that context, the project will shortly be progressed into the architectural planning process. The next step...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: After-School Support Services (22 Sep 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department does not have a remit in relation to the establishment of after-school childcare services. In general the day to day management of school buildings is carried out at local level and school authorities have a considerable degree of autonomy in relation to how their premises are managed and utilised. It should also be noted that the vast majority of primary school buildings in the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Playgrounds (22 Sep 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The school in question applied for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme for the works to which the Deputy refers. As the scope of works is outside the terms of this scheme, the application cannot be considered for funding. The school authority has been informed of this decision. It is open to the school authority to apply for funding under a future Summer Works Scheme.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Administration (22 Sep 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: In 2005, my Department issued a circular to Trustees, Boards of Management and Principals of Primary and Voluntary Secondary Schools (Circular Letter Prim 16/05) to encourage Trustees and Boards of Management to make their facilities available where possible for community, education and recreation purposes. This circular specifies, inter alia, that where facilities are made available a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (22 Sep 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I wish to advise the Deputy that a Major Capital Project in respect of the school, to which he refers, is being progressed into the architectural planning process. The proposed project will include the complete replacement of prefabs with permanent classrooms in addition to a significantly enhanced level of permanent specialist and ancillary accommodation. The project brief is currently...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staffing (22 Sep 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1306 and 1310 together. The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing arrangements...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Health and Safety (22 Sep 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: An application for funding to address traffic management issues at the school to which the Deputy refers is currently being assessed in my Department. A decision will issue to the Board of Management as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (22 Sep 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The project referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of the Architectural Planning process. The Board of Management and their Design Team are currently working on completing the Stage 2a which is the Developed Design Stage. Upon successful completion of stage 2A and subject to no issues arising the project will then be authorised to proceed to Stage 2B of Architectural Planning, which...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Applications (22 Sep 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1309 and 1331 together. I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding to provide a new school building. My Department was in contact with the School Authorities in respect of their proposal and will be in a position to assess the proposal further when a response to the queries raised is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (22 Sep 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: As the Deputy will appreciate, due diligence must apply in relation to any site acquisition. With regard to the proposed site for the school referred to by the Deputy, issues outside the control of my Department arose during the conveyancing process. These issues have now been addressed which will enable the conveyancing process to be progressed. In the interim period the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Refurbishment (22 Sep 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department approved funding to the school referred to by the Deputy for a building project to provide a one classroom Special Needs Unit together with a secure hard/soft play area and parking associated with the new unit. A once-off set up grant for the Unit was also approved and I understand the project was completed in early 2013. The school sought additional funding in respect of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (22 Sep 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Framework for Junior Cycle 2015 which was published in August sets out a clear vision of how teaching, learning and assessment in the Junior Cycle will be reformed to ensure a learning experience for young people that is highly engaging for them and appropriate to the needs of the 21st century. In relation to the role of physical education, under the new Framework I have asked the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staffing (22 Sep 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The position is that the provisions of the Job Sharing Scheme for Special Needs Assistants in Recognised Primary and Post-Primary Schools are outlined in my Department's Circular Letter 41/2014. In accordance with the Circular, Special Needs Assistants may apply to share a wholetime post on a 50:50 basis i.e. 16 hours per week in both Primary and Post Primary Schools. The terms of the scheme...