Results 16,441-16,460 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: Obviously, I cannot give a timeline because there are many issues involved, including the planning application, the detail and the design, all of which are issues that have to be completed by the design team. The necessary consents have to be obtained. Those are not in the control of my Department. I assure the Deputy that when projects reach a certain point, as has been the case this...

Other Questions: School Patronage (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: In April 2016, applications were invited for the patronage of nine new post-primary schools to be established in 2017 and 2018, including the new post-primary school to serve the Portlaoise area. The closing date for receipt of applications for this process was 8 June 2016.  Patrons submitted with their application a parental preference template in which parents were requested to...

Other Questions: School Patronage (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: As I indicated to Deputy Stanley, there are nine. There is an external independent advisory group which oversees the process. The information I have is that it is expected to report to me within the coming weeks. I want to reassure Deputy Stanley that the school will open as scheduled in September 2017 in suitable interim accommodation, pending the completion of construction of the...

Other Questions: School Patronage (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The criteria were published and are set out on the call for offers. Each school seeks to demonstrate that it meets the requirements of the Department to run a school including very basic things about the way they abide by various approaches that are expected of a school. There is then the process of selecting the patron who best meets the need to promote diversity and meet the parents'...

Other Questions: Back to School Costs (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: I thank Deputy Collins for raising this issue. I have read the report and I strongly support any measures that can be put in place to reduce costs for parents, including measures such as the use of generic type uniforms or the use of sew-on crests. All schools must be sensitive to the financial pressures on parents in making decisions, not just about school uniforms or books, but about any...

Other Questions: Back to School Costs (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The clothing allowance is administered by the Department of Social Protection. It is of some reassurance that schools are taking this more seriously. The report shows a consistent fall in the cost of uniforms at schools from €177 in 2011 to €145 in 2016. Similarly, the cost of books has come down from €125 to €94 and voluntary contributions are also coming down....

Other Questions: Back to School Costs (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: I am looking at the longer period because this data goes back to 2011. There is a consistent downward trend. It is not on every item but generally there is a downward trend in the areas directly controlled by schools. We need to build on that. I am sure the Minister for Social Protection will look at the issue of the age at which child benefit is withdrawn. There is an ambition to look...

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is now at an advanced stage of architectural planning. All statutory approvals have been obtained, tender documents have been prepared and the stage 2b submission has been approved by my Department. I met the school's representatives with the Minister, Deputy Leo Varadkar and Deputies Joan Burton and Jack Chambers last...

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: I want to reassure both Deputies that this project is on the building programme list. When the previous release of projects was made in April, it had not reached the point of being able to be released to tender because the design stage had not been completed. The matter is a priority from my point of view. Progress has been made as a result of the recent meeting and close engagement is...

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: No decision has been taken about any budgetary funding. Decisions on budgets will not be taken until next Tuesday when they will be announced in the House. Everyone will have information at that time. I had a good and constructive meeting with the representatives of the parents and the board, the patron and the principal of the school. The frustration that was apparent among those...

Other Questions: Teachers' Remuneration (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The recent agreement reached with the Teachers Union of Ireland, TUI, and the Irish National Teachers Organisation, INTO, on the issue of new entrant pay will result in increases of up to €2,000 per year for new teachers at the start of their careers. The estimated value of these increases over a teacher's career is €135,000. This new arrangement will apply to members of the...

Other Questions: Teachers' Remuneration (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: I am not attacking the ASTI. I am saying very clearly that there is the opportunity for the members of the ASTI to benefit from agreements that are now in place with the TUI and the INTO that can provide real benefits to its members. They include the substitution and supervision amount, which is more than €700 this year, and another payment later. Also included is the qualification...

Other Questions: Teachers' Remuneration (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The Lansdowne Road agreement has the support of over 90% of people who work in the public service. It allows progress to be made on the genuine right of people to see a restoration of their pay. However, it allows this to be done within a framework where we can also address the pressing needs in homelessness, housing, health, education and many other spheres, and we have to balance the...

Other Questions: Capitation Grants (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: I recognise the need to improve capitation funding for primary and post-primary schools having regard to the reductions that were necessary over recent years. The previous budget resulted in the first increase in education spending in recent years. I am determined to continue pressing the case for increased investment in education in the forthcoming budget. The Government has just...

Other Questions: Capitation Grants (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: I do not agree with the Deputy. There are remarkable strengths in our education system. We attract some of the most talented people into teaching. Our performance in reading and mathematics is very strong, perhaps not so in science. We have one of the lowest school dropout rates and one of the highest third level participation rates in Europe, so we have a good education system. Of...

Other Questions: School Accommodation Provision (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: In identifying the requirement for new school provision and for additional school places, my Department uses a geographical information system to identify the areas under increased demographic pressure nationwide. The system uses data from the Central Statistics Office, CSO, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and information from my Department's own databases. With...

Other Questions: School Accommodation Provision (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: I bow to the Deputy's greater knowledge and I have requested that officials meet the Deputy to discuss some of the issues, given that he has a concern. The six-year investment programme includes 31 projects for Meath which have been committed to. In Ashbourne, my Department is building a 1,000 pupil school to cater for the long-term needs of Coláiste De Lacy, which opened in temporary...

Other Questions: School Accommodation Provision (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: I just have the list. I am not in a position to give the Deputy a comprehensive answer. On the programme there is an extension to the post-primary school in Gormanstown, an extension to Ashbourne Community School and a five-year plan for Coláiste De Lacy with the first phase due to be completed this year. A number of projects are listed. I acknowledge the Deputy's concern and,...

Other Questions: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: I am told the terms of reference and arrangements for review are being considered, and I am hopeful they will be finalised shortly. The review will be confined to the issue of eligibility and will have regard to the level of uptake of the funding available to Caranua. Over €50 million of the €110 million earmarked for the organisation has already been expended in the provision...

Other Questions: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: I understand Caranua endeavours to ensure the greatest support to the residents involved and to deal with people in a fair and equitable way. The review will examine issues such as the extent of improved services to those who have made applications, the way in which it is been promoted to eligible people and the potential changes to eligibility to include other groups or categories of...