Results 16,041-16,060 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: Article 13(6) is the relevant article in the 2016 student grant scheme providing for second chance students. Where a mature student previously attended but did not successfully complete a course and re - enters an approved course at PLC, undergraduate or postgraduate level in the relevant academic year, following a full 5 year break in studies, he/she shall be considered a "second chance...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Data Protection (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: My Department published Circular 0045/2016 on 14 July 2016. The Circular notifies Managerial Authorities, Education and Training Boards and teachers of the arrangements for implementation of the Lansdowne Road Agreement in respect of post-primary teachers. The Circular is available at

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Costs (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: Apart from those recognised fee-charging second level schools, recognised primary and post primary schools are precluded from charging school fees. No charge may be made, in respect of instruction in any subject of the school curriculum or for recreation or other activities where all pupils are expected to take part. Voluntary contributions by parents are permissible provided it is made...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: North-South Ministerial Council (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: An NSMC Education meeting is being arranged to take place in late September 2016 in Armagh. While an agenda for the meeting is not yet to hand it is expected to cover EU-related matters; educational underachievement; teacher qualifications; and school youth and teacher exchanges. The NSMC Secretariat will shortly chair a joint working group meeting comprising officials of the Education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: My Department has requested additional information from the school referred to by the Deputy relating to its funding application. When this is received and assessed, the application will be considered further.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Emergency Works Scheme Applications (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: The school to which the Deputy refers applied under my Department's Emergency Works Grant Scheme (EWS) for works to the school grounds. However, the works requested do not fall within the scope of the EWS which is a limited fund for sudden and unforeseen emergencies that generally can be addressed by way of interim repairs. The correct mechanism for works of this nature is my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff Data (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: The following table gives details of the number of staff at my Department that entered the public service since 1 January 2011 and the grades concerned: Year Principal Officer Administrative Officer Executive Officer Clerical Officer Educational Psychologist Early Years Inspector Statistician 2011 4 2012 1 2013 1 2014 3 2 2015 1 17 2 8 1 2016 1 2 30

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff Remuneration (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: The information sought by the Deputy is currently being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Early Childhood Care and Education (20 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: The new Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) programme of supports was announced on 15th June 2016 by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. AIM is a child-centred model, involving seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, depending on the needs of the child and the pre-school. The supports include: A new Inclusion Charter for the Early Years...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Support Schemes (20 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to increase financial supports for postgraduate students with a particular focus on those from low income households. The options for progressing this commitment are currently under consideration in my Department within the context of overall budgetary constraints, and the large number of competing demands for available funding. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (20 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: Alleviating the housing crisis is a cross-Government priority and the available analysis indicates that the lack of suitable rental accommodation for students is driving up rents in the private rental sector, particularly in areas where demand for rental property is high. This is contributing to what we know is already a considerable strain on some students and their families to participate...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Higher Education Institutions Staff (20 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: Those undertaking postgraduate study at Masters and PhD levels are considered as students, not employees. Under the Irish Research Council's Post Graduate Schemes scholars must be full-time students. However, as teaching is an essential means for the dissemination of knowledge and is considered valuable within the Scholar's career, the Council allows Scholars to undertake additional duties...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (20 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: To be eligible for a grant, a "student", as defined in Section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011, must demonstrate that he/she has been resident in the State for at least 3 years out of the 5 year period ending on the day before the start of his/her approved course of study. The Free Fees Initiative (FFI) has a similar residency requirement. This requirement takes cognisance of students...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (20 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: Circular 0059/2006, which is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie, sets out the factors that should be considered in determining the seniority of special needs assistants employed in primary and post-primary schools. The Board of Management/ETB determines seniority based on the special needs assistant's date of commencement of duty as an SNA in the school/ETB. In...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Applications (20 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: I can advise that the school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for significant capital funding. I am aware that my Department's technical staff visited the school and the outcome of the visit is currently being considered. My Department expects to be in contact with the school authority shortly relating to the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (20 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: The business representative organisation referred to in the Deputy's Question made a submission on my Department's new Statement of Strategy in which they suggested placing the Apprenticeship Council on a statutory footing but did not include details of other legislative changes sought in this area. The Review of Apprenticeship Training in Ireland, undertaken by an independent group,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Refurbishment (20 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy was approved funding for the refurbishment of an existing school building to provide suitable accommodation for the school referred to. Responsibility for delivery of the project has been devolved to the school authorities. I understand the works are nearing completion, with 80% of the approved funding drawn down by the school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (20 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: The major school building project to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2(b). All statutory approvals have been secured. However, following the appointment of a replacement Quantity Surveyor the Design Team are working on a revised Bill of Quantities and the Design Team has advised my Department that they expect to re-submit the Stage 2(b)...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (20 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy will be aware that this Government is committed to ensuring that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (20 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: The major building project which the Deputy refers to is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2(b). All Statutory approvals have been secured and the Design Team are completing the preparation of Tender Documents. The school building project for this school was included on the six year programme announced on 17 November 2015. The design team will submit the stage 2(b)...