Results 17,221-17,240 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Other Questions: Schools Guidance Counsellors (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: We do collect the information. Part of the difficulty relates to the ability to retrieve it in a user-friendly format. That is one of the things we are looking at. We had this exchange earlier in respect of primary schools. The information is gathered but it is stored in such a way that it takes a long time for it to be checked, double-checked and made available. I am not satisfied with...

Other Questions: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The Department's policy is that children with special educational needs, including those with autism, should be educated in an inclusive environment in mainstream schools, unless the extent of their needs is such that they require specialist support which cannot be provided in mainstream settings. Schools are supported in integrating children with special needs in schools by the national...

Other Questions: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy has placed on the record a series of questions to which answers are not contained in the briefing material provided to me. I will obtain the information he requires and reply to him directly when it is to hand.

Other Questions: Third Level Qualifications Issues (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The objective of the student grant scheme is to help as many students as possible obtain one qualification at each level of study. Given the level of demand on the student grant budget from first-time students and those who are progressing with their studies to a higher level, there are no plans at present to change the arrangements in place. Eligibility for the back to education...

Other Questions: Third Level Qualifications Issues (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy made some interesting points and we will ensure that they are considered in the context of Springboard and other specific labour market-friendly programmes. If skills shortages are identified, those to whom the Deputy refers can apply for entry onto such programmes and maximise the possibility that they will eventually be offered employment.

Other Questions: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: Pupils with Down's syndrome who have a mild general learning disability receive resource teaching support from teachers allocated to schools through the general allocation model. The recent National Council for Special Education, NCSE, report on supporting children with special educational needs recommended that, under a proposed new allocation model, all children, including those with...

Other Questions: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I do not wish to make a commitment in advance of getting the model report. We will then need to consider the implications whether to phase-in any change, to maintain the present system or to alter the present system. I hope to have that report within six to eight weeks.

Other Questions: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I will consider my reply and I may write to the Deputy to provide her with further information but it is not possible to anticipate at this point in time.

Other Questions: School Curriculum (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 112, 122 and 282 together. I thank the Deputies who have tabled these questions as the topic is of interest to anyone who is a Deputy. I have decided to make the subject politics and society available to students at senior cycle. On foot of this, my Department recently wrote to the NCCA seeking its advice on a number of issues which need to be addressed...

Other Questions: School Curriculum (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I have no doubt that Deputy Conway and many of her colleagues will get back in here again.

Other Questions: School Curriculum (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: It certainly will be no thanks to Deputy Dooley either.

Other Questions: School Curriculum (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I am meeting with the Teaching Council next week and I will discuss this matter with the council. It is a question of identifying the teaching qualifications. As we all know, we may all be elected but that does not necessarily mean we are qualified politicians, per se. We have arrived here with different sets of qualifications. The teaching of politics is not as specific as teaching one...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Reform (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I believe that homework, when assigned in accordance with the learning needs of students, has potential to benefit their learning. It can help to consolidate work already covered during class time and help pupils to prepare for forthcoming class work. It can also promote independent learning. In addition, it plays an important role in promoting home school links. The national and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Health and Safety Issues (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The results of the 2012 Lifeskills survey, which were published by my Department recently, indicated that approximately 30% of post primary schools have vending machines or school shops which sell fizzy drinks, sweets and crisps. In response to this finding, officials in my Department are currently developing guidance for schools on promoting healthy eating, including through the appropriate...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Establishment (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: Last year a patronage determination process, overseen by the New Schools Establishment Group, was run to establish who would operate a new 16-classroom school for the Knocknacarra area of Galway City. Two applicants, namely Educate Together and Lifeways Ireland, which provides the Steiner model, demonstrated strong and similar levels of parental demand for their models. The level of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy will be aware, the area referred to has been identified by my Department as one of the areas where, due to demographic changes, it is projected that there will be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. In that context, all the five schools to which the Deputy refers are included in my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will be aware that, following agreement in principle by the Government to broaden the current means testing arrangements for student grants by way of inclusion of the value of capital assets, I set up a dedicated implementation group to bring forward detailed proposals. I have received a draft report from the implementation group. I have been very clear that there is currently no...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland Administration (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department recognises the benefit of having teachers from all backgrounds teaching in schools. The National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2008-13 aims to promote and increase access to higher education for under represented groups. A new National Plan is currently being prepared by the National Access Office and will include new targets for participation by...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121, 128 and 140 together. All schools are required to develop and implement a Relationships and Sexuality (RSE) programme at junior cycle and senior cycle in post-primary schools. RSE includes the acquisition of knowledge and understanding, and the development of attitudes, beliefs and values about relationships, sexual identity and intimacy. Post-primary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staffing (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: A total of 122 schools were due to lose a classroom teacher (73 in the 2012/13 school year and 49 in the 2013/14 school year) as a result of the small schools 2012 budget measure.The appeals process reduced these losses to 43 in the 2012/13 school year and 32 in the 2013/14 school year. The list of these schools is being given to the Deputy. The allocation process for the 2014/15 school...