Results 1,361-1,380 of 8,015 for speaker:Jonathan O'Brien

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Adult Education (20 Nov 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: That is important because the figures show 300,000 people are accessing some form of learning or education, reflecting the huge appetite for people to get upskilled because they are aware of its value. There is also a social value, so that €20 million is welcome. We will await the budget, however, to see what impact it has. I take heart from the Minister of State's recognition of the...

Other Questions: Third Level Sector Reform (20 Nov 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: The Minister put his finger on the issue when he said we do not know some of the issues we need to. It is very hard to evaluate whether quality has dropped given the rise in students and it is a challenge for the Department to precisely evaluate that. We can go on from there. The Minister mentioned an amendment to the Universities Act. When the heads were published there was much media...

Other Questions: School Curriculum (20 Nov 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: I agree with Deputy O'Donovan. One of the reasons we are reforming the junior cycle is the difficulty with rote learning and how all of the pressure is placed on a single day. However, some of the arguments for this are undermined if we do not also consider the leaving certificate. Thursday's debate will be welcome, as there is some confusion among parents. They are concerned about what...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Higher Education Access (20 Nov 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if any analysis or assessment has been carried out by his Department which projects the likely impact on access to higher education by persons in lower socio-economic groups as a result of recent cuts to maintenance grants and increases in registration fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51337/12]

Supreme Court Ruling in the X Case: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (21 Nov 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: The recent death of Savita Halappanavar has shocked people throughout the world. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of cities and towns throughout the State to express their shock and their sympathy to her husband, Praveen. I also sympathise with Praveen Halappanavar and the family of his wife, Savita. While we do not know the exact circumstances surrounding her untimely...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Top Level Appointments Committee (21 Nov 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he intends to make any further changes to the Top Level Appointments Committee. [51551/12]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Redeployment (21 Nov 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details of the redeployment taking place across the system as stated in his progress on the implementation of the Government's Public Service Reform Plan September 2012. [51552/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (21 Nov 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm that a person (details supplied) is not employed by the Special Education Support Service but is in fact on part-time secondment from a college. [51729/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (21 Nov 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he has taken to implement the recommendations of the National Council for Special Educators report into Evidence of Best Practice Models and Outcomes into the Education of Children with Emotional Disturbances and Behavioural Difficulties; the steps he has taken to implement the recommendation that behavioural psychologists and other...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Qualifications (21 Nov 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers working here who have a postgraduate qualification in ABA; the number of teachers who have received funding to study ABA at postgraduate level here; and if he will confirm that teachers who pursue a BCBA qualification must contract privately to have their work supervised. [51731/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (21 Nov 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the circumstances under which a principal or teacher is obliged to implement the recommendations of a psychological or medical professional; and the circumstances which allow them to disregard these recommendations. [51732/12]

A Framework for Junior Cycle: Motion (22 Nov 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: I welcome the opportunity to discuss this motion. It gave the Minister the opportunity to address some of the concerns voiced to the Minister about how this was announced and how it will be implemented, so it is an important debate. At all times we must strive to implement what is contained in the Department's mission statement, which is to enable learners to achieve their full potential...

A Framework for Junior Cycle: Motion (22 Nov 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: It was due to that worrying trend that I believe the Minister put so much focus on reforming the junior cycle, and we welcome that. I realise it is stating the obvious but it is vital for the development of our education system that we get this reform right. The previous speaker referred to the timeframe the Minister proposes for implementing this reform. While there might be some...

A Framework for Junior Cycle: Motion (22 Nov 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: I think they can achieve level 2. Maybe we can consider going beyond that to level 3 qualifications.

A Framework for Junior Cycle: Motion (22 Nov 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: It is a key part of it and it is important. Another aspect focuses on additional teacher training. This poses challenges for the Department in respect of how we will resource it. Additional funding must be found to enable teachers to upskill. It will require rethinking on the part of the Minister. Some criticism has been levelled at the Department, correctly, in respect of some of the...

A Framework for Junior Cycle: Motion (22 Nov 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: I know that. There has been media commentary to that effect, which is why today's debate is important. It allows the Minister to set out an answer to the criticism. History and geography are vital and the Minister has said that it is not his intention to downgrade these subjects. We all know the advantages of history and geography and the Minister is well aware of it. The unions have...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Support Services (22 Nov 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the impact recent declines in chemical and related projects may have on employment and Departmental strategy. [51901/12]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Bike Schemes (27 Nov 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the expansion of public bikes schemes in Dublin and other urban areas across the State. [52665/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff Remuneration (27 Nov 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his department, or in bodies that fall under the remit of his Department, whose annual remuneration including salary, pension and benefits at 31 December 2011 fell into bands of €400,000 and above, between €300,000 to €399,999, between €200,000 to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff Remuneration (27 Nov 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has made any contacts requesting staff whose annual salary is in excess of €200,000 in his Department or in any body under the remit of his department, to waive 15% of their salary or such amount in excess of €200,000 whichever is the lesser; if he has, the date on which he first made this contact; the number of...