Results 14,181-14,200 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Preschool Services (14 May 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The intention of my comments was to raise a debate on how, in the current fiscal climate, an extension of the universal free pre-school year might be financed. There are no decisions or proposals on the table regarding cuts in child benefit. Research shows that high quality pre-school education delivers lasting benefits in terms of better academic attainment and socio-behavioural outcomes,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (15 May 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: An official from the Primary Teachers Payroll Section of my Department has been in contact with the person concerned regarding the issues raised by the Deputy and outlined the current position to her.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (15 May 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. It is the responsibility of the managerial...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (15 May 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 134, 136, 137, 150 and 151 together. The Deputy will be aware of this Government's ongoing commitment to ensuring that all children with special educational needs, including children with Down syndrome, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs. The policy of my Department is to secure the maximum possible level of inclusion of students with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Administration (15 May 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The external review of Student Universal Support Ireland's was commissioned by the City of Dublin. Therefore the arrangements for the publication of the report will be a matter for City of Dublin VEC

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Tuition Scheme (15 May 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that the July Education Programme is available to all special schools and mainstream primary schools with special classes catering for children with autism who choose to extend their education services through the month of July. My Department also provides for a July Programme for pupils with a severe/profound general learning disability. Where school based...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (15 May 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. Stage 2b of the project which includes Planning Permission, Fire Certification, Disability Access Certification (DAC) and the preparation of tender documents has been approved. The project is listed on the five year school building programme to go to construction in 2015/16.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Application Numbers (15 May 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I understand from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that, as at close of business on 14th May 2013, it had received 2,557 student grant applications for Co. Kerry, for attendance at both further and higher education. 1,356 have been paid their maintenance or had their entitlement to fees confirmed (where they were awarded a 'fees only' grant). Some 991 applications from Co. Kerry...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (15 May 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together. The building project referred to by the Deputies is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. Stage 2b of the project which includes Planning Permission, Fire Certification, Disability Access Certification (DAC) and the preparation of tender documents was recently completed and approved. The project is listed on the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Legal Costs (15 May 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: There were no costs incurred by my Department in respect of the need to travel to either Luxembourg or Strasbourg for litigation purposes, during the period 2005-2012.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (15 May 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 to 147, inclusive, together. Copies of the documentation requested by the Deputy can be released to her once she has obtained and provided to the relevant section in my Department the appropriate consent from the parent in question. As outlined to the Deputy previously the NCSE identified placements in June 2011 for the children to whom she referred in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (15 May 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The Government has protected frontline services in schools to the greatest extent possible in the recent budget and there will be no reduction in teacher numbers in primary schools and in free second level schools for the 2013/14 school year as a result of the recent budget. The DEIS scheme for disadvantaged schools is also fully protected with no overall changes to staffing levels or funding...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Issues (15 May 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (16 May 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has provided information to schools in relation to the condition of Narcolepsy and to provide guidance to schools on the accommodations which can be made in schools to assist such children. - Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support, for children who have a medical condition such that they require access to care support in order to be able to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Issues (16 May 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The International School of Martyrs (ISM) is a private educational institution located in Tripoli, Libya. The Irish Leaving Certificate examination is offered each year to candidates in the school. The role of the State Examinations Commission (SEC) is to provide examinations to candidates who have been entered for either the Junior or Leaving Certificate and in this regard I am...

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

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that requested documentation was not furnished within the timeframe set out in a communication with the applicant. The applicant referred to by the Deputy was issued with a decision on the 11/4/2013 advising him that he was deemed ineligible to receive a grant. If an individual applicant considers that she/he...

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

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that the grant application of the student referred to by the Deputy for the 2012/13 academic year was refused. SUSI has confirmed that it issued a letter 30th April 2013 indicating that under the scheme, students who have previously attended, but not completed a course of study are required to complete an...

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

Ruairi Quinn: As part of the Budget 2012 decisions, the number of pupils required to gain and retain a classroom teaching post in small primary schools is being gradually increased between September 2012 and September 2014. During this period the pupil threshold for a 2-classroom school is being increased to 20 pupils. In these extremely challenging times, all public servants are being asked to deliver...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Issues (16 May 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

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

Ruairi Quinn: Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, approved course, previous academic attainment and means. Under my Department's student grant scheme, eligible candidates may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved...