Results 22,441-22,460 of 23,991 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Credit Availability (22 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is satisfied that the small and medium enterprise sector is receiving the credit it needs; the uptake to date regarding the credit guarantee scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51867/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Registration Fees (22 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has had any consultation with the Department of Justice and Equality in relation to the 100% increase in registration fees for non EEA nationals and the impact that this will have on international students studying here or considering studying here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51995/12]

Other Questions: National Procurement Service (21 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied with the work of the Central Procurement Function; the savings that he expects it to achieve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51641/12]

Other Questions: School Curriculum (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: The concerns of teachers were wider than presented by the Minister. They were concerned that the announcement was not accompanied by a plan setting out how teachers would be supported in bringing about the significant changes that will be needed as part of junior certificate reform. While there is no doubt about the potential to improve the curriculum, teachers must be a core part of any...

Other Questions: School Curriculum (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: We have covered the issue in previous questions. It is disappointing there was not more engagement with the teaching unions in advance of the announcement, which would have facilitated progress in junior cycle reform and engagement following the announcement. I take on board the fact that people from a second level teaching background were on the NCCA. Nevertheless, the Minister should have...

Other Questions: Third Level Sector Reform (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Minister for his reply. As referred to in the previous exchange, there undoubtedly are real funding challenges within the third level sector. In advance of the last general election, the Minister made a very strong play regarding what he would achieve in respect of academic contracts and the savings to be made therefrom. The Minister should provide Members with an overall...

Other Questions: Third Level Sector Reform (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: The Minister has outlined that the percentage of staff number reductions has almost reached 11% and this figure pertains to staff who have left the third level system. Does the Minister have to hand a figure for productivity savings made in respect of existing staff or changes in the manner in which universities work and operate? Is there a figure for increased productivity in the third...

Other Questions: Departmental Reports (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Minister for his reply. The future of third level funding is something we will have to grasp in the coming period. In recent years third level colleges have made it clear that, without additional funds, they cannot continue to provide a quality of education for the numbers of students that are likely to enter the system in future. So far, the Minister's response to the need for...

Other Questions: Departmental Reports (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: It is crucial that we address this issue. The Hunt report outlined an increase from 160,000 to 250,000 in third level students. That is the student body we need to see entering our third level colleges in the coming years. Unfortunately, however, if we do not have the correct structures in place many of those students will not be able to engage at third level and we will not reach that...

Other Questions: School Curriculum (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: Will the Minister outline the steps he has taken thus far in his engagements with the sector to ensure that there is a standard approach across schools in terms of the quality of the courses to be delivered? What consultations has the Minister had on ensuring there is uniformity in the marking of examinations? There is grave concern among students and teachers that the approach will not...

Other Questions: School Curriculum (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: The way in which the Minister announced his decision on the junior certificate cycle reform has made the start of the project difficult. I disagree with the fact he did not engage adequately in advance with teachers, who will be a key part in delivering it. As a result of the failure to work out a plan in advance of making the announcement, it will take eight years before all subjects will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Bullying in Schools (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: I believe the Minister would recognise that the role of the guidance counsellor is not only to provide career guidance but, as the title indicate, also to be a counsellor to students on many issues.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Bullying in Schools (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: A guidance counsellor is the first contact and a key person students seek out when they have a particular issue and these would be issues long before NEPS might become involved. We are now two and half months into the new school year and it is clear the impact for students of the measures the Minister introduced last year has been chronic and it is getting more difficult for them all the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Bullying in Schools (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: When this announcement was made in last year's budget, we warned that it could lead to the end of career guidance as a profession, as well as impacting on the most vulnerable and disadvantaged students, especially those with mental health concerns. At the time the Minister assured us that schools would continue to provide guidance to their students and he was confident that schools would act...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Bullying in Schools (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the discussions he has had with the Institute of Guidance Counsellors since September 2012 in relation to the impact of the cut to guidance hours which has resulted in schools only being able to provide an emergency counselling service to students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51421/12]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Student Grant Scheme Delays (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: The Minister outlined how when a student is awarded a grant there can then be a delay because the student must go back to the college to get confirmation of registration and must also get bank account details. Could we not ensure that bank account details are available in advance so that, at least, that element of the delay could be avoided?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Student Grant Scheme Delays (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: With regard to the 21,000 applications in hand for processing, a dent has not been made in it in the past week or so. The 21,000 applications and packages have not been checked to ensure all documentation is there. The expected return rate, where applications are incomplete, is up to 40%. Given the major challenge, and when many applications have not been opened or double checked, how will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Student Grant Scheme Delays (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Minister for his response and for the updated figures. Once again I acknowledge the approach he took last week in that he took responsibility for this issue, which is very important and welcome. I said at the time that I felt the Minister also needed to take responsibility to ensure students would be paid before Christmas and I asked that he meet SUSI and tease out exactly where...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Student Grant Scheme Delays (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of grants awarded or paid to students by Student Universal Support Ireland; if he will give a guarantee that all student grant applications will be processed and those students who qualify will be paid by Christmas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51420/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Guidance Counsellors (20 Nov 2012)

Charlie McConalogue: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered the findings of a recent survey of principals from the Joint Managerial Body on the impact of the loss of guidance hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51304/12]