Results 1,541-1,560 of 23,950 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Other Questions: Departmental Reports (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Minister for his reply. The future of third level funding is something we will have to grasp in the coming period. In recent years third level colleges have made it clear that, without additional funds, they cannot continue to provide a quality of education for the numbers of students that are likely to enter the system in future. So far, the Minister's response to the need for...

Other Questions: Departmental Reports (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: It is crucial that we address this issue. The Hunt report outlined an increase from 160,000 to 250,000 in third level students. That is the student body we need to see entering our third level colleges in the coming years. Unfortunately, however, if we do not have the correct structures in place many of those students will not be able to engage at third level and we will not reach that...

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

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Minister for his reply. As referred to in the previous exchange, there undoubtedly are real funding challenges within the third level sector. In advance of the last general election, the Minister made a very strong play regarding what he would achieve in respect of academic contracts and the savings to be made therefrom. The Minister should provide Members with an overall...

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

Charlie McConalogue: The Minister has outlined that the percentage of staff number reductions has almost reached 11% and this figure pertains to staff who have left the third level system. Does the Minister have to hand a figure for productivity savings made in respect of existing staff or changes in the manner in which universities work and operate? Is there a figure for increased productivity in the third...

Other Questions: School Curriculum (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: We have covered the issue in previous questions. It is disappointing there was not more engagement with the teaching unions in advance of the announcement, which would have facilitated progress in junior cycle reform and engagement following the announcement. I take on board the fact that people from a second level teaching background were on the NCCA. Nevertheless, the Minister should have...

Other Questions: School Curriculum (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: The concerns of teachers were wider than presented by the Minister. They were concerned that the announcement was not accompanied by a plan setting out how teachers would be supported in bringing about the significant changes that will be needed as part of junior certificate reform. While there is no doubt about the potential to improve the curriculum, teachers must be a core part of any...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Guidance Counsellors (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered the findings of a recent survey of principals from the Joint Managerial Body on the impact of the loss of guidance hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51304/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Expenditure Reviews (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to recent reports that savings required in the education budget in December will exceed the €77 million identified as part of last year's comprehensive expenditure review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51422/12]

Other Questions: National Procurement Service (21 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied with the work of the Central Procurement Function; the savings that he expects it to achieve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51641/12]

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

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Minister for his presentation, for his efforts thus far and for ensuring we had a debate in the Dáil on this very important issue. I join with him in welcoming Dr. Anne Looney and representatives from the NCCA. I commend them on their work, as the Minister did, in putting together the report on the reform of the junior certificate which was given to the Minister. I also...

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

Charlie McConalogue: In phase two, it will be Irish, science and business studies. All subjects will start the new reformed curriculum from 2017. That will mean it will be 2020 before all subjects at junior certificate level will be examined under the new curriculum. That is a very long period of time during which there will be much change in schools and confusion in terms of exactly what the curriculum being...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Scientific and Technological Fund (22 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the recent claims that demands by Science Foundation Ireland that State supported research must deliver an economic or social return is damaging science here and causing young researchers to emigrate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51852/12]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Credit Availability (22 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is satisfied that the small and medium enterprise sector is receiving the credit it needs; the uptake to date regarding the credit guarantee scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51867/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Registration Fees (22 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has had any consultation with the Department of Justice and Equality in relation to the 100% increase in registration fees for non EEA nationals and the impact that this will have on international students studying here or considering studying here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51995/12]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Bodies (27 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason there is only a 2.5 day service provided in a Citizens Information Service instead of a full time service in a town (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52269/12]

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Crime Prevention (28 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps he has taken to address security issues around art pieces held in storage by the Irish State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53024/12]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta Lands (28 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is in the process of selling forestry land (details supplied) in County Donegal; the reason for any such sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53345/12]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta Lands (28 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the current policy in regard to Coillte selling forestry State land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53383/12]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Reform of Third Level Education: Discussion (28 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Mr. Boland and his team from the HEA, and Ms Doyle and her team from the Department. They are present to discuss the very pressing challenges in the third level sector and those to be faced in the coming years. The Hunt report forms the basis of the plan for third level education. The report outlined that we would require €500 million per year for ten years to meet the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Reform of Third Level Education: Discussion (28 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: I refer to the future funding projections for the third level sector and the savings that may be achievable through value for money initiatives. We have not been given specific figures. Mr. Boland said it was difficult to assess this in the way people can in other sectors but, at the same time, the Hunt report, which was commissioned three or four years ago, identified funding needs. For a...