Results 20,501-20,520 of 23,978 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Other Questions: Schools Review (8 Oct 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: 14. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the value for money report on small schools will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37959/14]

Other Questions: Schools Review (8 Oct 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: This is to ask the Minister when the value for money report on small schools will be published.

Other Questions: Schools Review (8 Oct 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Minister and acknowledge we discussed this matter briefly previously. This report rested on the desk of the Minister's predecessor for more than 18 months but I am now hearing the same story from the Minister as I heard from him during those 18 months, namely, the Minister intends to consider it but she is not setting a deadline regarding its publication. Meanwhile, the number...

Other Questions: Schools Review (8 Oct 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: After 18 months of this report being on the Department's desk, the fact that the current Minister is merely in the process of reading it demonstrates this is an issue about which the Government has no real intention of having an honest debate or of publishing, in order that everyone can address it. I reiterate that a key feature of the Government has been the pressure it has mounted on four,...

Other Questions: School Curriculum (8 Oct 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: 11. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on her discussions on junior cycle reform with the teacher unions; her views on the fact that 10% of English teachers had not undertaken training on the new curriculum in advance of the introduction of English in schools last month. [37960/14]

Other Questions: School Curriculum (8 Oct 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: My question asks the Minister to provide an update on her discussions on junior cycle reform with the teacher unions and to give her opinion on the fact that 10% of English teachers had not undertaken training on the new curriculum in advance of her decision to proceed with its introduction last month.

Other Questions: School Curriculum (8 Oct 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: This has turned into a sorry saga, one that could have been avoided had it been handled differently by the Minister's predecessor or had she taken a more hands-on approach after taking up the reins. The former Minister, Deputy Quinn, took a bullish and single-minded approach to reform but if reform is to be delivered appropriately, it is important that it be undertaken in partnership with...

Other Questions: School Curriculum (8 Oct 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Minister. She also replied to my question on the issue of the take-up of professional development in advance of the introduction of the new curriculum. She indicated that she believed 90% was a high rate. However, in advance of the introduction of a new school curriculum, all teachers who will teach it should take up and complete professional development and training on it. A...

Other Questions: Third Level Funding (8 Oct 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: 12. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the fall in rankings of Irish universities in the recent Times Higher Education university rankings; her plans to proceed with a further 1% reduction in capitation payments to third level institutions in the upcoming budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37963/14]

Other Questions: Third Level Funding (8 Oct 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: My question asks the Minister for her views on the fall by Irish universities in the Times Higher Education, THE, university rankings. It also asks about her plans to proceed with a further 1% reduction in capitation payments to third level institutions in the upcoming budget in light of this fall.

Other Questions: Third Level Funding (8 Oct 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Minister of State. I wish him well and congratulate him on his appointment. This is his first Question Time, although we have met at a committee. League tables and rankings are not an exact science, but the consistent message coming out is that our colleges have been sliding down a number of the rankings. Last week, Trinity College, Dublin, fell out of the THE's top 100 and...

Other Questions: Site Acquisitions (8 Oct 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: I can inform the Minister that the ETB and the schools involved have worked very closely with the local authority to assess previous sites and this site. I am hopeful there would be no delay in the Department's engagement with the local authority because of the amount of joined-up work which has already taken place in Buncrana between the schools, the ETB and the relevant authorities. I...

Other Questions: Site Acquisitions (8 Oct 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: 8. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress on the provision of funds for the purchase of a site by her Department in Buncrana, County Donegal, for the new three school Crana College campus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37961/14]

Other Questions: Site Acquisitions (8 Oct 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: This seeks an update on the progress on the provision of funds by the Department for the purchase of a site in Buncrana, County Donegal, for a new three school Crana College campus. This involved the purchase of the site for the development of the site for the Crana College campus, a secondary school, the Irish secondary school Coláiste Chineál Eoghain, and Buncrana Gaelscoil.

Other Questions: Site Acquisitions (8 Oct 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Minister for the update. I emphasise the importance of ensuring the purchase of the site moves along. In order to develop the campus and ensure progress, the first step is to secure the site. Three schools will be housed in the new site when it is completed. Buncrana Gaelscoil was established in 1999 and now houses 183 students, with the kind co-operation of Buncrana Youth...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Minor Works Scheme Restoration (8 Oct 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: 4. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to set out her views on a permanent restoration of the minor works grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38281/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Minor Works Scheme Restoration (8 Oct 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: What is the Minister's views on the permanent restoration of the minor works scheme given its importance to every primary school in the country?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Minor Works Scheme Restoration (8 Oct 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: Anyone involved in a primary school who has been listening to the Minister's answer will be disappointed that she has not given any assurances in that respect. I hope when it comes to the crunch in the budget on 14 October there will some good news for them in respect of the grant. I was hoping for a response from the Minister to indicate she is aware of the importance of the grant to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Minor Works Scheme Restoration (8 Oct 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: I understand that the Minister is not in a position today to give a commitment on the matter. However, I draw her attention to the record of her Government in respect of payment of the grant. Of the three budgets the Government has introduced, the minor works grant was paid in only one, last year's budget. The Minister outlined the rates. This has left a huge hole in the budget of every...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: School Staffing (8 Oct 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: 1. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary schools with only one mainstream class teacher in the current academic year; the way this number compares with the number of one-teacher primary schools in the academic years 2013-14, 2012-13 and 2011-12; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38280/14]