Results 14,741-14,760 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: I move amendment No. 33:In page 87, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following:“(2) Any standing orders for the regulation of its procedure and business or regulations for the conduct of the affairs of the college, made under the Second Schedule to the Act of 1992 and in being immediately before the coming into operation of subsection (1)shall continue in being after that coming...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: I move amendment No. 34:In page 93, line 24, to delete “make rules” and substitute “make, amend or revoke rules”.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: I agree with Deputy O'Brien on this. It goes back to the principle of academic freedom. There are concerns for the presidents of the colleges with regard to the ability to express an opinion. It is undermining their academic freedom. I will also be tabling an amendment in this regard.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: This provision is standard and mainly applies to the president's function in respect of accounts and so on.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: I am not sure the Deputy's interpretation is fully correct.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: The subsection states "in the performance of his or her duties under this paragraph". It is related to this particular paragraph and is not a general statement. Subsection (3) of Schedule 2 provides that "the president may make proposals to the technological university on any matter relating to its functions." The Deputy is specifically addressing a particular paragraph that deals with...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: Again, this is in the context of financial accounting. We see it in the Committee of Public Accounts when, for example, we have Secretaries General who, when acting as accounting officer in that context, do not talk about the policies but specifically about the financial and accounting element. I think the Deputy is forming a more general interpretation than the actual wording of the...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: We are discussing subsection (9) of the Schedule here. Subsection (9)(1) states: "The president shall, whenever required in writing to do so by the Committee of Dáil Éireann established under the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann to examine and report to Dáil Éireann on the appropriation accounts and reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General ... give evidence...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: This is really a matter for the Committee of Public Accounts, which has very specific procedures for dealing with such matters. The provision does not mean the president cannot express views on a variety of issues outside of that context but we are dealing here with a very specific context of accounting for the spending of moneys within the institution. I do not know the Standing Orders of...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: I hope it will be but it must, of course, undergo the proper scrutiny in both Houses.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: I have made notes on all the issues raised by Deputies today, as have my two officials. Between us, we have detailed notes on the proposed Report Stage amendments. In so far as we can deal with those in the meantime, we will do so. The officials already have a job of work to do in preparing for Report Stage but we certainly will give consideration to the issues raised by the Deputies.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: I have asked the Whip's office to give us time for the debate but I do not know which week it is likely to be. I am seeking time as early as we can get it while also allowing Deputies and my officials and me sufficient time to prepare for it. I have not indicated a specific date, just that I will need time. Apart from the amendments Deputies indicated they intend to bring forward on...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: I will certainly look for appropriate time so that we will not have to guillotine it. That does not mean bringing it in at the earliest possible moment.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: My understanding is that it has to start all over again. Is that correct?

Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects Status (19 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy Keating for raising the matter as it provides me with the opportunity to clarify the current position on the major school building project for Scoil Mhuire girls' national school in Lucan. The Deputy will be aware of the demographic challenge facing the education system in the coming years. Primary enrolments, which have already risen substantially in recent years, are...

Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects Status (19 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: We are absolutely committed to ensuring the project goes ahead. I assure Deputy Keating - I think he is aware of how the capital programmes work in education - that when something is announced, it is announced on the basis that the capital is provided. That was the case for schools announced in 2013 and it is the case for the schools I announced towards the end of 2015 for the next capital...

Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (19 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank the Deputy and I share his interest in this area. As he has just noted, the SENOs engage with schools and work with them to provide the necessary places. I first will outline the position with regard to children with autism. The Deputy is aware the Government is committed to ensuring that all children with special educational needs, including those with autism, can have access to...

Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (19 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: In response to the Deputy, I do not believe it is a funding issue. While I certainly can clarify that, I do not believe it is a funding issue because funding is not an obstacle that is put in the way of providing such special classes. I certainly can revert to the NCSE and check on the specific details of the school raised by the Deputy. The Department and I encourage schools but cannot...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects Status (19 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: I should note I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Donohoe. He had intended to be present but unfortunately something has come up.

Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects Status (19 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: While I share an interest in the Cork-Limerick road, I will confine my answer to the north ring road. As I said, I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, who has responsibility for overall policy and funding for the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects...