Results 16,401-16,420 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that the new school to which he refers is planned to open in September 2016. My officials are working closely with officials from Wicklow County Council in relation to identifying and acquiring a suitable site for this school. However, given the sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further on the site...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The school building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. It is anticipated that the Design Team will shortly be in a position to submit the Stage 2b (Detailed Design) to my Department for review. Once this review has been completed my Department will be in contact with the Board of Management and Design Team with regard to the progression of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Agencies Staff Remuneration (4 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Arising from the current examination of remuneration practices in Health Sector Agencies, the Committee of Public Accounts has asked all Accounting Officers for assurances that public sector employees are in compliance with public pay policy. On foot of this request my Department will be seeking the necessary assurances regarding compliance from institutions in the Education Sector.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staffing (4 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Firstly, I would point out that the allocation of SNA resources is not a matter for this Department but is instead an independent function carried out by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), who are responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Site Acquisitions (4 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy will be aware, my officials are working closely with officials from Galway City Council in relation to identifying and acquiring a suitable site for new school accommodation for the school to which he refers. A suitable site has been identified. However, given the sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Redundancy Payments (4 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Staff entitlements on the closure of a school will depend on the status of the employees concerned. If the staff are public servants and are covered by the Haddington Road Agreement protection against compulsory redundancy, then on the closure of the school the staff may be offered the option of redeploying to another public service post or voluntary redundancy, depending on the circumstances...

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Last Friday, the ESB group of unions served notice of their intention to take industrial action starting on 16 December. However, the ESB executive director team and the unions continue to meet under the company's established procedures for dealing with industrial relations issues. At this point there is ongoing dialogue between the parties, and while that process continues I believe it...

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I think the Deputy knows from his own experience in the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, which has responsibility for the machinery of industrial relations, that the Government has at its disposal an array of instruments and institutions that can be mobilised at the appropriate time. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is of the view that at this...

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: My attention has been drawn to the announcement by the commissioner to resign with effect from 23 February 2014. My attention has also been drawn to the comments he has made on the status of the Irish language and the current attitude of the Government to implementing its strategy. I have been assured by my colleague beside me, the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley, who has direct...

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I thank the Deputy for his comments but I do not accept what he said about this Government's attitude to the language. If Deputy Doherty wishes he may table an adjournment debate matter or have a comprehensive debate on the matter with the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley, where he can respond to all the Irish Language Commissioner's claims.

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy has referred to a question to which she feels she has not received an answer. I will try to get a copy of Deputy Healy's question and will give her the note I have on this matter. The Government has put in place a comprehensive programme of actions to assist householders struggling to pay their mortgages.

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: We have rebalanced the rights of borrowers and lenders under the biggest shake-up of personal insolvency law in a century and we have given those who bought their first homes during the bubble significant increases in mortgage interest relief. All the tools are in place to accelerate the work out of the mortgage crisis. Banks and borrowers need to use these tools to reach fair and...

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Engagement between consumers and lenders has already led to 45,177 permanent mortgage restructures up to the end of September, an increase of 3,900 on the August data. Encouragingly, the total number of mortgage accounts in arrears has fallen by 2,316 accounts to just over 118,000 accounts. The number of mortgage accounts in arrears of greater than 90 days has fallen by 14,068 accounts,...

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy refers to a specific set of cases. If she wishes to give me the details of those cases I will get a comprehensive and detailed response.

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I have indicated the measures that have been taken to date and we believe they will help the vast majority of people who find themselves in that situation.

Order of Business (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: It is proposed to take No. 17, Supplementary Estimates for Public Estimates [Votes 18, 31 and 35] (back from committee); No. 19, Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013 - Report and Final Stages (resumed); and No. a1, Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad] - Second Stage (resumed). It is scheduled to adjourn at 7 p.m. tonight, if not previously concluded, and the order shall resume...

Order of Business (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The issue of a debate or discussion on the Irish language strategy could be raised by the party Whips at the next Whips' meeting, or Deputy Dara Calleary and the Sinn Féin spokesperson could discuss it with the Chief Whip to see whether time could be made available, either tomorrow or next week but certainly before the recess. With regard to Deputy Dara Calleary's comments on PISA, the...

Order of Business (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I understand Report Stage will be taken next week.

Order of Business (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I understand the heads of the Bill will be sent to the Government shortly.

Order of Business (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I understand the Bill will be published next year and that the heads are being discussed by the Government.