Results 17,061-17,080 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (11 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the student referred to by the Deputy was ineligible for the special rate of maintenance grant as the reckonable income exceed the prescribed income limit as specified in the Student Grant Scheme. To qualify for the special rate of grant an applicant must meet the following conditions: 1. Reckonable...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (11 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: Private colleges operated on a for-profit basis are not listed as approved institutions for student grant purposes. Details regarding the student grant scheme and the student support regulations, which specify the criteria for approved courses as well as approved institutions, are available on my Department's website. They are also available via the www.susi.ie and www.studentfinance.ie....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Reform (11 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together. My Department established an Education Partners Consultation Group to provide all the education stakeholders with a formal medium for assisting in the planning of the phased implementation of the Junior Cycle. This group first met on Thursday, September 27, 2012. Subsequent meetings were held on the day of the Framework launch...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (11 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have been informed by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the student referred to by the Deputy was awarded a grant towards fees. The student was not awarded a grant towards maintenance as he is in receipt of Back to Education Allowance from the Department of Social Protection. Under the provisions of the Student Grant Scheme a student is not eligible...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Representations (11 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have been informed by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the student referred to by the Deputy changed course level and institution in 2013/14 from Waterford Institute of Technology to the Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown, without contacting any awarding authority and as such his request for a late application has been denied. The course being...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (11 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 228 together. I can confirm that my Department has received an application from the school, referred to by the Deputies, for funding to facilitate the gaelscoil's growth to a third stream, i.e. a 24 classroom school. My Department is currently liaising with the Patron of the gaelscoil and a decision will be conveyed to the school authorities when...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Advertising Expenditure (11 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The information requested in respect of my Department is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. The information requested by the Deputy in respect of agencies is not held centrally by my Department. The awarding of contracts and the procurement arrangements by agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for the agencies...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Social Media Monitoring (11 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department does not engage in any real time reporting of online conversations on issues relating to the Department. However, in the event such conversations become the focus of media coverage, officials at my Department's Press Office monitor such reporting with a view to ensure where possible that the Department's educational policy position is accurately reflected.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Child Abuse Issues (11 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: Given that this matter maybe the subject of legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on this matter at this time. I understand from my officials that the parent of the child in question has invoked my Department's Child Protection Procedures. Any allegation of child abuse received by staff in my Department is dealt with in accordance with the Department's "Procedures...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (11 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I can confirm for the Deputy that while my Department is aware of the Patron's proposals to merge the three schools concerned, I have not received any proposal from the Patron in the matter. The initiative for any amalgamation or re-organisation may come from a variety of sources, such as parents, staff, Boards of Management and patron. Any such proposal to amalgamate schools must involve...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Textbooks Rental Scheme (11 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The Department will continue to provide a book grant as usual to all primary schools. This grant, can be utilised for the purposes of updating or expanding a school's existing book rental scheme. I want to commend all schools that have used it to help build up book rental schemes over the years. Their efforts mean that the high costs of school books is being significantly reduced for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (11 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The two schools to which the Deputy refers were both approved funding under the Prefab Replacement Scheme in 2012. The school authorities subsequently submitted an alternative proposal that included consolidating accommodation onto a single site. This proposal was considered by my Department and further clarification in relation to the schools proposal was sought and recently received....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (11 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The Social, Personal and Health Education programme in post-primary schools provides opportunities for students to explore issues relating to sex trafficking and prostitution within a framework of respect, rights and responsibilities. The focus is on equipping students with the knowledge, skills and values to stay safe through discussion of topics such as Feeling Threatened, Recognising...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (11 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The school to which the Deputy refers is due for completion on 14 February 2014 under the Public Private Partnership model.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (11 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: Merlin College is due for completion on 14 February 2014 under the Public Private Partnership model.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (11 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for major capital funding last year for accommodation works such as extending the size of their existing classrooms. In October 2013, the school was advised that due to competing demands on my Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise available funding for the provision of essential additional school places...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (11 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The school referred to by the Deputy was included in the list of school building projects announced to go to construction in 2014/15 and I can confirm that this project is among those budgeted for in the 5 year capital programme. The acquisition of a site for permanent accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy is being progressed by my Department. However, due to the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (11 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: Under my Department's Prefab Replacement Initiatives 2012 and 2013, approval was given to 216 schools nationally to replace 573 prefab units with permanent accommodation. Of these, 16 mainstream and resource units are currently being replaced with permanent classrooms in County Carlow and in excess of €1.6m has been allocated towards these projects. Replacing prefabs is part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (11 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently out to tender. It is anticipated that the tender process will be completed and a contractor appointed in the second quarter of 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Official Engagements (11 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The tables following give details of all official engagements by myself and Ministers of State at my Department that have taken place in Northern Ireland since I took office. Official engagements in Northern Ireland attended to by the Minister for Education and Skills and Ministers of State North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) Education Sectoral Meetings Date Location Groups/Person Met 1...