Results 18,121-18,140 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: This is an important and challenging area. I recall that the former Minister of State, Kathleen Lynch, was dealing with this matter. The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Finian McGrath is currently drafting legislation in this area. The heads of the Bill are at an advanced stage, so hopefully it will come to Cabinet in the near future. However, it has been difficult...

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: My objective is to ensure that every child who comes to our schools from a background of social disadvantage or with a special need can fulfil his or her potential. I have reviewed both the DEIS scheme and the resource teaching allocation scheme and I am investing €70 million extra in those programmes in the coming year. This is the first time in eight years that any new school has...

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: I regret I will have to come back to the Deputy on that. There is a substantial technology plan, but I cannot provide the Deputy with a blow-by-blow account of how it is being rolled out. I will get the information for the Deputy.

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: I regret I do not have the details the Deputy is seeking. I will endeavour to get it to her. No doubt it will be the subject of a parliamentary question to the Minister in due course.

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: As I outlined earlier, the Minister has introduced a framework to provide greater rental certainty and put a cap on increases. He is also rolling out the HAP programme which will only come into effect next month in Dublin. A pilot HAP programme is operating in Dublin, whereby people at risk of homelessness can get access to an uplift on the amount paid to them. Initiatives are in place....

Business of Dáil (16 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings on No. 10b, motion re Tribunal of Inquiry shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 80 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: the speech of a Minister or Minister of State and the main spokespersons for parties or groups or a Member nominated in their stead shall not...

Topical Issue Debate: Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (16 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Deputies for raising this important issue. I do not for one moment accept Deputy Mattie McGrath's suggestion that I snubbed Tipperary or any part of it.

Topical Issue Debate: Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (16 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: The truth is that this system was set up based on an objective assessment. It has taken into consideration issues such as the ones the Deputies raised, including social class, dependency ratios, educational levels of parents, lone parenthood, overcrowding, occupation, unemployment. On this first round, I have been able to include just 2% of schools in addition in the DEIS scheme. That is a...

Topical Issue Debate: Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (16 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: The assessment method has nothing to do with me or my like or dislike of a particular part of the country. It is an objective method that has been used-----

Topical Issue Debate: Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (16 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: -----in the same way for every school throughout the country. We have on this occasion been able to increase the number of schools in the disadvantaged programme by 2%. The criteria I cited are the ones that are used and that the Deputies cited. They relate to unemployment rates, social class, occupation, overcrowding of children, lone parents, the education levels of parents, dependency...

Topical Issue Debate: Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (16 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: I can understand why people will say another school should have been included, but this has been done in a fair and equitable manner and is in no way politically influenced.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (16 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: Caranua is an independent statutory body established under the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 to oversee the use of the cash contributions of up to €110 million, pledged by the religious congregations, to support the needs of survivors of institutional child abuse. The legislation provides that supports may be available in the areas of health and personal social...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (16 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is completing Stage 2(a) of the Architectural Planning process, the Developed Design Stage.  Following the Stage 2(a) Stakeholder’s meeting which was held on the 30th November 2016, the ETB and its Design Team were requested to submit a Stage 2(a) addendum addressing issues which arose at the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Refurbishment (16 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 133 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Autism Support Services (16 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: International Students (16 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: The regulations and guidelines in place for international students arriving here are a matter for the Minister for Justice and Equality. Higher Education Institutions in Ireland provide high quality support services to international students. A Code of Practice for Provision of Programmes of Education and Training to International Learners was published by Quality and Qualifications...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Disadvantage (16 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: The information requested by the Deputy is available on my Department’s website at the following link: .

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (16 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy may be aware, 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, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and information from my Department's own databases. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Grants (16 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority. The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Summer Works Scheme Applications (16 Feb 2017)

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of a Category 5 application, toilet improvement project, under the Summer Works Scheme (2016-2017) from the school to which he refers. Nearly 50% of schools have applied for inclusion under the scheme which reflects a very high demand. Details of successful school applicants in respect of Categories 1 and 2 were...