Results 22,141-22,160 of 23,989 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (13 Mar 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form the number of primary and post-primary schools currently in temporary accommodation; the length of time these schools have been awaiting permanent accommodation; the number of these schools that are Irish-medium schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13318/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes (12 Mar 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the expected percentage of projects approved under the LEADER process that will not be completed and draw down any money under the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12703/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Funding (12 Mar 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the Local Government Fund allocation to each local authority in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12685/13]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Support Schemes (12 Mar 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding he will allocate to the student assistance fund for the academic year beginning September 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12327/13]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (12 Mar 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider providing career paths for members of the Garda Reserve to become full members of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12789/13]

Autism Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Mar 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: Fianna Fáil is happy to welcome the Bill and supports the principles behind it. Putting the implementation of a national autism strategy on a legislative basis is a move that we fully endorse. I congratulate Deputy McCarthy and those who worked with him on drafting and introducing this important Bill.

Autism Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Mar 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy has pointed out, ASD is a complex and lifelong developmental condition. While some people can live relatively independent lives, others have high dependency needs and require specialist care. We endorse the sentiment that people in Ireland with autism deserve to live rewarding and fulfilling lives. The enactment of this Bill could undoubtedly be a major stepping stone in that...

Other Questions: Further Education and Training Programmes Provision (7 Mar 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Will it be possible for long-term unemployed people who are not in receipt of social welfare benefits because of their partners' income to apply for the MOMENTUM programme? Such people have been unfairly blocked from accessing similar programmes in the past. They also need access to retraining to get back into the workforce, even if they are not...

Other Questions: Further Education and Training Programmes Provision (7 Mar 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: Yes, but they are long-term unemployed.

Other Questions: Further Education and Training Programmes Provision (7 Mar 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: I ask the Minister of State and his ministerial colleagues to examine this issue. This is an unfortunate category of people who, because they have a partner in full-time employment, are not eligible for social welfare payments. They can be out of work for years but they are not recognised on the live register or by the State for the purposes of rejoining the workforce. These people are...

Other Questions: Teaching Contracts (7 Mar 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: The issue of casualisation of the teaching profession at both primary and second level has become a real problem and I ask the Minister to comment on a particular matter about which I also seek some leniency from him. I refer to the position at primary level with regard to the temporary panel of teachers. Teachers who have completed three years of teaching are eligible to be placed on a...

Other Questions: School Staffing (7 Mar 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: As I did not come in on the previous question, may I comment?

Other Questions: School Staffing (7 Mar 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: This obviously is still a problem. I take the point that in some circumstances, there may be a real difficulty with regard to availability in exceptional circumstances. However, anecdotally and from experience, serious issues still persist in schools across the country whereby teachers who are retired are getting temporary contracts and contracts. Whatever about a day's subbing when...

Other Questions: Irish Language (7 Mar 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: Go raibh maith ag an Minister for the reply. There is some concern that with the amalgamation of these two bodies, somehow the resources that have been allocated specifically to An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta may become diluted as a result of the amalgamation with the NCCA. Can consideration be given to ensuring there is a ring-fenced budget to avoid a...

Other Questions: School Guidelines on Mental Health (7 Mar 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Minister for his reply. I welcome the publication of the guidelines for mental health promotion and suicide prevention and the action plan on bullying. These are important initiatives and it is important that schools have guidance and the strategies they need to adopt to ensure children are safe in the school grounds and that their mental health is a core concern. The Minister...

Other Questions: School Guidelines on Mental Health (7 Mar 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: These are two important initiatives, but at the same time the Minister has removed €32 million which was specifically dedicated for guidance counsellors. While they did not play the only role in a school, they had a key role in liaising with students with particular difficulties with regard to mental health or bullying. The Minister is absolutely correct that everyone in the school...

Other Questions: School Staffing (7 Mar 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Minister. This question follows on from the previous one and is closely related to it. Various surveys which have been published indicate a drop in guidance hours, including one by the Institute of Guidance Counsellors which indicated a 21% drop. The Minister provided details of a survey the Department did, which showed a 25% cut in guidance hours. The survey from the...

Other Questions: School Staffing (7 Mar 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: The Minister had another choice, which was to protect the education budget and fight at the Cabinet table to ensure education was protected in the current environment.

Other Questions: School Staffing (7 Mar 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: Unfortunately this is something the Minister did not manage to achieve and as a result we have seen cuts in the education sector. Yesterday we heard how the Minister intends to deliver another €44 million in cuts in the upcoming budget.

Other Questions: School Staffing (7 Mar 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: In a pre-budget submission we protected the education budget along with mental health and disability services. I encourage the Minister in the upcoming budget to do the same.