Results 20,801-20,820 of 23,978 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (4 Jun 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: 48. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 164 of 30 April 2014, when a further reply will issue from the State Examinations Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23672/14]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme Data (4 Jun 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: 231. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will announce the list of successful organisations that will receive funding through the sports capital programme 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23867/14]

Other Questions: School Curriculum (29 May 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: Unfortunately, since the Minister announced his intentions in this regard, his door has not been open. The initial National Council for Curriculum and Assessment working group report on the future of junior certificate reform advocated that the 60% examination part of the new junior cycle student award should be independently marked. The Minister made a unilateral decision not to accept...

Other Questions: School Curriculum (29 May 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: 18. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his response to a recent survey which indicates a high degree of public support for independent assessment at junior cycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23366/14]

Other Questions: School Curriculum (29 May 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: I ask the Minister for his response to a recent survey which indicates a high degree of public support for independent assessment at junior cycle level.

Other Questions: School Curriculum (29 May 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: I am afraid the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy Quinn, are living in their own bubble regarding their views on the reform of the junior cycle student award. I attended one of the 12 meetings that took place throughout the country. There were attendances of 50, 60 and 70 people at the 12 meetings. The Minister has before him a survey by a reputable polling company telling him...

Other Questions: State Examinations Reviews (29 May 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: A recent survey of parents' opinions by a professional polling company is that 60% want to retain independent assessment of the new junior certificate. That is where there is disagreement and the Minister of State refuses to take on board what teachers and parents want. I urge the Minister of State to re-examine this with the Minister, who has been obstinate, stubborn and blind to the views...

Other Questions: School Guidance Counsellors (29 May 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: 7. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a survey showing a 59% drop in one-to-one guidance counselling hours since the removal of the ex-quota allocation to schools; his views on the impact of this cut on student welfare in view of the fact that the service is provided by trained guidance practitioners who are required to undergo constant professional supervision, which...

Other Questions: School Guidance Counsellors (29 May 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: I asked the Minister of State specifically for his views on the fact that the survey found a decrease of 59% in one-to-one counselling time as a result of the cuts introduced by his Government. His response has been similar to previous replies from the Minister for Education and Skills, namely, that guidance counselling and guidance are a whole-school activity. I draw the Minister of...

Other Questions: School Guidance Counsellors (29 May 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: The evidence shows there has been a reduction of 59% in one-to-one guidance counselling time since the Government introduced the cuts. The Minister of State referred to a framework his Department is trying to develop with principals to govern how guidance counsellors should operate. I remind him once again of the framework that was put in place a number of years ago to ensure that guidance...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: English Language Training Organisations (29 May 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: 4. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to ensure that international students left stranded as a result of the recent closure of a number of international language schools can continue their education and be recompensed for the cost of discontinued courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23470/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: English Language Training Organisations (29 May 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Minister of State knows, five private language schools have closed in the past month. Anyone who has met or listened to interviews with the students affected by the closure of those language schools will be in no doubt as to the distress faced by many very genuine language students. There were abuses in a number of cases but the reality is that many students who came to this country,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: English Language Training Organisations (29 May 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: What sort of timeframe is the Minister of State putting on the introduction of that quality mark? We cannot have a situation where there is a question mark over existing colleges. Does the Minister of State believe there is a threat to any other colleges or a danger of other colleges closing down? What steps is the Minister taking to stand over the services currently being provided for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs Staffing (29 May 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: In his earlier response, the Minister of State outlined that it is the ambition of every parent that his or her child will get to a position where he or she does not need any SNA support. Indeed, it is the hope of every parent at the outset that his or her child would not need such support in the first place. However, in cases where a child needs such support, it is the ambition of a parent...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs Staffing (29 May 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: There are issues to be addressed in this regard and genuine concern is being expressed by schools.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs Staffing (29 May 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: There must be reassurance given that additional supports are provided in order that the pressure currently evident in schools can be relieved.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs Staffing (29 May 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: 1. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way he proposes to address the deep concerns that have been expressed with regard to the recently published Circular 0030/2014 on special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23469/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs Staffing (29 May 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: My question asks how the Minister proposes to address the deep concerns being expressed about the recently published circular on special needs.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs Staffing (29 May 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Minister of State for his reply, but parents and teachers across the country have noted a squeezing of the SNA support available to students and are rightly concerned about the tone of the aforementioned circular from the Department. A number of specific points made in the circular are giving rise to concern among parents and teachers. It states that in order to receive SNA...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staffing (29 May 2014)

Charlie McConalogue: 41. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way he proposes to address the deep concerns that have been expressed with regard to the recently published circular 0030/2014 on special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23368/14]