Results 15,521-15,540 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Seanad: Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (18 Sep 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I thank everybody for allowing this debate to take place and, in particular, Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell and the Independent group of Taoiseach's nominees. Before I address the topic in detail, there are a couple of aspects of recent commentary on this matter I would like to clarify. First, it has been suggested that history is currently a compulsory subject in all schools at junior...

Seanad: Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (18 Sep 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: None of us in this room will make that decision, it will be decided by the people. We will live with whatever change they give or do not give us. The way in which we assess and trust teachers and schools is important. There is a wide variation in how schools respond. Schools are circumscribed by their own circumstances in some cases in that if they have a limited number of pupils,...

Seanad: Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (18 Sep 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: On a point of order, I do not think that is correct. With no disrespect to the IPA, the Minister certainly appoints the chair but subject to correction, the other members of the council are nominated by various education stakeholders.

Seanad: Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (18 Sep 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The chair is directly appointed by the Minister of the day but the rest are nominated by the others.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Administration (19 Sep 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I am informed by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that in preparation for the 2013/2014 Academic year the application assessment process was further developed to enhance effectiveness and efficiency and respond to experiences from year 1. In addition, a number of new initiatives have been implemented as recommended by the independent review by Accenture. The initiatives include...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Remedial Building Works (19 Sep 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I can confirm to the Deputy that some remedial works have been carried out on the premises to which he refers, following recent fire damage. My Department holds the premises on a leasehold basis and is currently in discussion with representatives of the owners of the freehold in relation to a full refurbishment/restoration of the premises.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (19 Sep 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 76 together. The issues raised in each of these questions relate to budgetary matters. The budget for education, including the number of teaching posts that we can afford to fund in schools is a matter that I will have to consider with my colleagues in Cabinet in the context of the forthcoming budget. The decisions in relation to such matters will...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Complaints Procedures (19 Sep 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 67 together. The Deputy will be aware from my previous reply of the role of the Ombudsman for Children where appropriate on such matters. In addition, I wish to clarify for the Deputy that the issue of quality of teaching within a school falls within the remit of the board of management and principal of that school. It is the duty of the board to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Administration (19 Sep 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that the pedestrian crossing will be completed under the contract for the building project to which he refers. The road has now been taken in charge by the Local Authority. The cost of installing the pedestrian crossing will be covered as part of the overall cost of the project. However, owing to commercial sensitivities the cost cannot be disclosed at this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Training Provision (19 Sep 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The issue of teacher supply is kept under review by my Department. I acknowledge that the various budget measures that have taken place in recent years can limit the employment opportunities for newly qualified teachers. However, there are limits to the number of teaching posts that we can afford to fund as a country. A number of measures have been taken to alleviate difficulties for new...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Quality and Qualifications Ireland Accreditation (19 Sep 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: It is a matter for individual employers, education institutions and professional recognition bodies to decide on whether they wish to recognise any academic qualifications from abroad. However, Ireland does have systems in place for assisting individuals in having their qualifications recognised. The Qualifications Recognition Service at Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) represents...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (19 Sep 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that pupils with Down Syndrome attending mainstream schools may receive additional teaching support in primary schools, either under the terms of the General Allocation Model (GAM) of teaching supports, if the pupil's educational psychological assessment places the pupil in the mild general learning disability/high incidence disability category, or through an...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (19 Sep 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will appreciate that it is still very early stages in the application process for the academic year 2013-14 and as such these figures are not yet available. These statistics will be collated from the existing 66 awarding authorities and also from SUSI and will be available in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Bullying in Schools (19 Sep 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department has received a proposal from BeatBullying (The BB Group) and this is currently being considered.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Appeals (19 Sep 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy, his student grant application was appealed to the appeals officer in SUSI and a grant refusal letter issued on 28th August 2013. Where an appeal is turned down in writing by SUSI and the applicant remains of the view that the scheme has not been...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (19 Sep 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the student referred to by the Deputy made an application for the 2013/14 academic year on 18th June 2013. A second document checklist issued to the applicant on 17th July 2013. The requested documentation was recently returned and will be reviewed shortly. SUSI will contact the student...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Appeals (19 Sep 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy, her student grant application was appealed to the appeals officer in SUSI and a grant refusal letter issued on 10th September 2013. Where an appeal is turned down in writing by SUSI and the applicant remains of the view that the scheme has not been...

An Appreciation of the Life and Work of Seamus Heaney: Statements (24 Sep 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Seamus Heaney was a great poet. Perhaps he had we in this place in mind when he wrote the following in 1985 at the request of Ms Mary Lawlor of Amnesty International Ireland to mark international human rights day. It has since inspired a generation of human rights activists. Amnesty International's highest award, the ambassador of conscience, is inspired by his work. Members probably know...

An Appreciation of the Life and Work of Seamus Heaney: Statements (24 Sep 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Yes.

An Appreciation of the Life and Work of Seamus Heaney: Statements (24 Sep 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Unlike you, comrade, he lived in the real world.