Results 18,081-18,100 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Topical Issue Debate: School Admissions (15 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: Yes, I-----

Confidence in Government: Motion (15 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: Listening to the debate one would imagine there was some monopoly on compassion and concern on that side of the House. The reality is everyone here has a similar mandate. We all represent the same people. We all strive to do the best we can by the people who put us here. There are people here who see the only way in which they can express their concern is through condemnation and outrage....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Philanthropy Initiatives (15 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: My department currently supports the Music Generation initiative to the value of €2.5m per year, in respect of the 11 local Music Education Partnerships (MEPs) established under Phase 1 of the initiative and which were initially supported through philanthropic funding. In January 2016, a commitment was given by the Department of Education and Skills, subject to Exchequer resources, to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (15 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132, 146 and 147 together. As the Deputies will be aware I announced last week new plans aimed at providing more multi-denominational and non-denominational schools across the country, in line with the choices of families and school communities and the Programme for Government commitment in this area. This will involve the Education and Training...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (15 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the patronage process for the nine new post-primary schools which will open in September 2017 and 2018, which I referenced in my July response to the Deputy, has been completed.  As I announced in November 2016, the new post-primary school which will open in 2018 to serve the areas of Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8 will open as a multi-denominational...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (15 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB). I understand that tenders for the project were recently received and a tender report is now being prepared by LCETB's Design Team. When the Tender Report has been received and evaluated my Department will be in direct contact with LCETB with regard to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Weight of Schoolbags (15 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: I am aware of the recent survey carried out by the National Parents Council on the weight of school bags. The matter was discussed by the Oireachtas Committee for Children and Youth Affairs on 25th January 2017. My Department will of course consider any findings or recommendations the Committee may make on this matter. My Department issued circulars to all primary and post-primary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Junior Cycle Reform (15 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: Through comparing education internationally, it has been found that in high performing education systems such as New Zealand, Queensland, Estonia and Finland, schools have been given greater autonomy and flexibility in the programmes they offer. When schools in Ireland are implementing the new Framework for Junior Cycle, they too will have the autonomy and flexibility to design programmes...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Educational Psychological Service (15 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy may be aware my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides an educational psychological service to schools through the direct assignment of a NEPS psychologist and in some cases by providing schools access to the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) where schools can have an assessment carried out by a member of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Data (15 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table. The figures for Primary teachers is based on the numbers of primary teachers on my Department’s payroll as at 9 February, 2017.  The figures for Voluntary Secondary, Community and Comprehensive Teachers are based on the number of teachers on the Department’s payroll which will be paid on 23 February,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (15 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: The information requested by the Deputy is available in the following table and refers to the current academic year (2016/2017). Catholic Church Of Ireland Multi Denominational Inter Denominational Presbyterian Muslim Jewish Methodist Quaker Total 2794 175 109 17 15 2 1 1 1 3115

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (15 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy may be aware, four new primary schools and nine new post-primary schools will open in 2017 and 2018 to cater for increased demographic needs. These schools include a new primary school which will open in September 2017 to serve the area of Dublin to which the Deputy refers. When it is decided that a new school is required to meet demographic needs in an area, a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (15 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department met with the school referred to in the context of an application received for a replacement school. The school were advised that, due to the need to prioritise available funding towards the provision of essential classroom accommodation to meet demographic demand, it would not be possible to progress a major project for the school at this time....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (15 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: The current position is that the Lansdowne Road Agreement as set out in Section 2 of Circular 0045/2016 applies to teachers employed in Designated Community Colleges, Community and Comprehensive Schools and Voluntary Secondary Schools who are TUI members. The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2013 and 2015 as set out in Section 3 of the Circular applies to all other...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Mental Health Strategies (15 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: My Department has considered this proposal. I agree that information on a comprehensive range of support services should be available to schools and young people in Ireland. I also believe that suicide prevention should form part of a balanced and age-appropriate strategy to promote mental health and wellbeing among children and young people. I believe that an appropriate and immediate...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (15 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy will be aware that this Government is committed to ensuring that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Refurbishment (15 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: The school to which the Deputy refers applied to my Department for Emergency Works Scheme funding for roof works. As the scope of the works proposed were outside the terms and conditions of the Scheme, the school was advised to submit a scaled back application.  As soon as this is received it will be assessed and the school authority will be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Travel (15 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: Please find the answer in the following table. No of Trips Ministers Trips Dates Travelled Destination Purpose of Trip Flight Costs Accommodation Costs T & S Claims Gifts 1 Minister Richard Bruton China Education Trade Mission incorporating Ireland's receipt of Country of Honour at an International Conference Minister 19-21/10/2016 China As above Paid by Enterprise Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (15 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: The major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2(b), which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of Tender Documents. All statutory approvals have been secured. The Design team are currently working on the completion of the stage 2(b)...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (15 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: The staffing process for the 2017/18 school year is currently underway in the Department and the details in relation to same will be published shortly on my Department's website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous...