Results 13,861-13,880 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staffing (16 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The National Behaviour Support Service (NBSS) promotes and supports positive behaviour through the provision of a systematic continuum of support to school communities. The service assists partner post primary schools in addressing behavioural concerns in schools.The Department has been informed by the NBSS, that for the academic year 2013-2014, the school referred to by the Deputy is no...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Appeals (16 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: It is understood from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that they received an appeal from the student referred to by the Deputy on the 28th March 2013. SUSI aims to issue appeal determinations as promptly as possible and within the specified timeframe specified in the Student Support Act, 2011. Where an appeal is turned down in writing by SUSI and the applicant remains of the view...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (16 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland, that on 4th April 2013, a reminder in relation to an earlier 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: School Curriculum (16 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The current Junior Certificate syllabus does not prescribe specific texts or poets for study. It is based on the idea of an 'open course' where teachers can choose the poetry and other texts they wish to include in their course to meet the learning objectives involved.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Procurement Regulations (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 69 together. Given the potential benefits that can be realised across the public sector, public procurement is one of the major projects of key strategic importance under the Government's Public Service Reform Plan. The Public Service Reform Plan, published in November 2011, provides for the development of a new policy framework for procurement. This...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Applications (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy may be aware, it was anticipated in the announcement of the five year construction programme in March last year that adjustments might be made in relation to the scheduling of projects included in the programme on a year to year basis within the lifetime of the Plan. Decisions on these matters are made following consideration of a number of criteria, such as the overall annual...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 40 and 49 together. As the Deputies will be aware, I announced at the recent Teacher Union Conferences that I will shortly bring to Government draft heads of a bill – the Education (Admission to School) Bill 2013. I will seek to publish the Bill in draft form to allow a full public discussion, including inputs from the Oireachtas Joint Committee...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: In line with the philosophy of the Framework for Junior Cycle, no subject or short course will be deemed compulsory apart from Irish, English and Mathematics. There are no plans to revisit this. Schools will be given flexibility to shape their own junior cycle programme by including a selection of subjects, short courses and other learning experiences that will allow their students to meet...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Croke Park Agreement Issues (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: In relation to estimates of savings arising from the LRC proposals, the Revised Estimates Volume for 2013 is expected to be published very shortly. This document will set out the revised allocations for Votes arising from the proposals made. The Revised Estimates Volume for 2013 will be submitted to the Oireachtas for consideration in due course. Following the publication of the 2013...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staffing (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will be aware that in the context of Budget 2012, I announced a three year phased adjustment to increase the relevant pupil thresholds for small schools with four teachers or less. The staffing arrangements in small primary schools are considerably more favourable than other medium to larger schools. The budget measure is focused on dealing with this cost premium, on a phased...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy will be aware, there are two schools on this site, a Junior School and a Senior School. Both schools have temporary accommodation in addition to their permanent structures and have applied to the Department for replacement permanent buildings. The next step to progressing a building project for the schools involves the appointment of a design team and the commencement of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Guidance Counsellors (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 57 together. The Minister for Education and Skills has already acknowledged to the House that bringing guidance within quota is challenging for schools. However the alternative was to adjust the PTR staffing allocations. The budget decision sheltered the impact for all DEIS post-primary schools by improving their standard staffing allocations. There...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Administration (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 64 and 77 together. I understand from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that at close of business on 14th April 2013, 603 applications are currently with SUSI for processing, There are 100 appeals awaiting a decision and 90 applications awaiting a re-assessment following an appeal. Up to 2011, students applied to their local authority or VEC for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Croke Park Agreement Issues (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The proposals put forward by the Labour Relations Commission on an extension to the Croke Park Agreement arise from an intensive and difficult set of negotiations between the Public Services Committee of ICTU and the Government. These negotiations took place against a backdrop of continuing significant difficulties in the finances of the State. The public service trade unions are currently...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions Entry Requirements (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 54 together. At my request, my Department, the NCCA, the SEC, the HEA and the higher education institutions have been working together to agree a framework for reform of the important transition of school leavers from second level into higher education. This is a complex area and requires concerted action across 2nd and 3rd level. On 27th March, I...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Health and Safety Issues (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The health and safety of school staff and pupils is a fundamental aspect of the day-to-day management of schools. My Department has a role in supporting schools in relation to how they discharge those responsibilities. The survey conducted by IMPACT can be valuable in informing best practice in schools and I hope it will be made available to my Department and others. On receipt of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staffing (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 53, 76 and 101 together. I wish to advise the Deputies that this Government is committed to the protection of frontline services for pupils with special educational needs. The Programme for Government sets out that education will be a priority for this Government and that we will endeavour to protect and enhance the educational experience of children,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Inspectors (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Post-primary inspectors are appointed following an open competition organised through the Public Appointments Service (PAS). For the most recent competition the essential requirements were that an applicant must: hold a recognised, relevant first or second class honours primary degree (Level 8, National Qualifications Framework) in which the subject specialism required in the advertisement...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Issues (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The Leaving Certificate is a high stakes examination. It provides a direct entry access route to further and higher education and the labour market. This is no longer true of the Junior Certificate for the vast majority of students. Just as we reached a point in 1967, where there was no longer a need for a state examined Primary Certificate, I believe we have now reached that point in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Reviews (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I can assure the Deputy that funding has been ring-fenced for the implementation of the new Junior Cycle. The combined costs of curriculum and CPD support in a full year will be of the order of €10 million. A Junior Cycle Support Service will be established under the directorship of Dr. Pádraig Kirk, currently CEO of Co. Louth VEC. It is important to note that this is not a...