Results 17,061-17,080 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (15 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: The Government is committed to ensuring that all children with special educational needs can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post-primary school network.  The policy of my Department is that children with special educational needs should be included where possible and appropriate in mainstream placements...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Irish Sign Language (15 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: A new short course in Irish Sign Language (ISL) was developed by the Post-Primary Languages Initiative in the context of the new Framework for Junior Cycle. The course is currently being piloted in the Mid-West School for the Hearing Impaired in Limerick. Following this, the course will be ready to be implemented by schools opting to introduce ISL. Short courses were introduced into the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Expenditure (15 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: The delivery of school projects so that all schools in an area can between them cater for all students seeking a school place is the main focus of my Department capital budget. To this end, my Department uses a Geographical Information System to identify the areas under increased demographic pressure nationwide. The system uses a range of data sources in carrying out nationwide demographic...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Management (15 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: Budget 2017 provides for the commencement of the restoration of middle management posts to lift the rigidity of the longstanding moratorium on these posts in both the primary and post-primary sector. A Department circular will issue in early January in relation to these new arrangements. Strengthening leadership is schools is a serious issue and this announcement will provide...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Process (15 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy will be aware, the new Programme for Government outlines that this new Government will continue to support the creation of Technological Universities. This is in line with the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 which provides a framework for the development of the higher education sector to 2030.  With regard to the institute of technology sector, the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Data (15 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: I am taking it that the Deputy is referring to the combined numbers of Leaving Certificate Mathematics candidates at all three levels (Higher, Ordinary, and Foundation) who were awarded E grades, F grades or no grade in the 2016 examination. The designation of any performance in the certificate examinations as a' fail' ceased in 1968. The nature of curricular examinations such as the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Institutes of Technology (15 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: In line with the overall mission of higher education in Ireland there has been a steady increase in student enrolments over recent years.  The most recent report by the HEA on retention and progression, entitled 'A Study of Progression in Higher Education 2012/13 TO 2013/14', is available on the HEA website, www.hea.ie.  This is the fourth in a series of progression analysis...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions Data (15 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: Since 2007 data on the socio-economic group (SEG) background of entrants to higher education is collected annually by the HEA via the "Equal Access Survey". This is a voluntary survey which collects information on the social and economic background of new students who enter higher education for the first time.  The survey is administered by  each higher education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (15 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) which is an independent agency, is responsible, through its network of Special Needs Organisers for determining the appropriate staffing levels in Special schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's policy in allocating this support. Circular 0042/2011 provides information to schools regarding the staffing arrangements which apply in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (15 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: The Report of the Chair of the Expert Group on Fixed Term and Part-Time issues in Lecturing in Ireland was published in July 2016 and the Report contains a number of recommendations that will assist in addressing concerns raised about the level of part-time and fixed-term employment in lecturing in the third level sector. My Department issued directions to the sector to implement the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Costs (15 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: I am aware of the report referred to by the Deputy. I strongly support any measures that can be put in place to reduce costs for parents.   All schools must be sensitive to the financial pressures on parents in making decisions, not just about school uniforms or books, but about any matter that has cost implications for parents.  The Action Plan for Education outlines hundreds of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Summer Works Scheme Applications (15 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of a Category 10 application for external environment works, under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) (2016-2017) from the school to which he refers. Valid SWS (2016-2017) applications from schools in respect of Categories 3 to 10 that were not reached under round one approvals announced on 28th April last, will, subject to the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (15 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: The main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grants Scheme. To qualify for grant support, a student has to meet various criteria such as means, residency, nationality and progression. Article 15 of the Student Grant Scheme 2016 states that where a student is required as part of an approved undergraduate or postgraduate course to attend a higher education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Minor Works Scheme (15 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: My Department is currently determining the likely end-year position on capital expenditure 2016 and I expect to be able to make an announcement regarding the Minor Works Grant 2016/2017 before the end of the week. 

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (15 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. The nationality requirements for the student grant scheme are set out in section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011 and regulation 5 of the Student Support Regulations...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Refurbishment (15 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: My Department's Planning and Building Unit has no record of receiving an application for funding from the school to which the Deputy refers.  If such an application is received it will be fully considered and a decision will issue directly to the school authority. 

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (15 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: The provision for children with Special Educational Needs has been prioritised in recent years, despite the enormous pressures on all public spending.  Funding for special education provision in 2016 will amount to some €1.5 billion, which is equivalent to approximately 17% of the gross overall current allocation for education and training; an increase of 10% in the past two...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools Scheme (15 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: It is my intention to publish a new Action Plan for Educational Inclusion before the end of this year. A process to review the DEIS Programme which began last year is now nearing completion.  The review is looking at all aspects of DEIS, including the range and impact of different elements of the DEIS School Support Programme, the potential for innovation within and between schools...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (15 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: I have included a specific action in the Action Plan for Education that expresses my commitment to working with the Committee to deliver change in this area. As the Deputy is aware, the Government proposed and the Dáil agreed that the Equal Status (Admissions to Schools) Bill proceed to second stage in June 2017. This will allow parents, patrons and other stakeholders to have...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Third Level Funding (16 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: I agree with Deputy Byrne. This is a major priority for me. The national strategy for higher education to 2030, which dates back to the Hunt report, sets out a very ambitious agenda that aims to improve significantly the performance of Ireland's higher education system with regard to quality, breadth of participation, attainment levels and the establishment of a sustainable and equitable...