Results 2,601-2,620 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I thank the Deputy for his comments but I do not accept what he said about this Government's attitude to the language. If Deputy Doherty wishes he may table an adjournment debate matter or have a comprehensive debate on the matter with the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley, where he can respond to all the Irish Language Commissioner's claims.

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy has referred to a question to which she feels she has not received an answer. I will try to get a copy of Deputy Healy's question and will give her the note I have on this matter. The Government has put in place a comprehensive programme of actions to assist householders struggling to pay their mortgages.

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: We have rebalanced the rights of borrowers and lenders under the biggest shake-up of personal insolvency law in a century and we have given those who bought their first homes during the bubble significant increases in mortgage interest relief. All the tools are in place to accelerate the work out of the mortgage crisis. Banks and borrowers need to use these tools to reach fair and...

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Engagement between consumers and lenders has already led to 45,177 permanent mortgage restructures up to the end of September, an increase of 3,900 on the August data. Encouragingly, the total number of mortgage accounts in arrears has fallen by 2,316 accounts to just over 118,000 accounts. The number of mortgage accounts in arrears of greater than 90 days has fallen by 14,068 accounts,...

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy refers to a specific set of cases. If she wishes to give me the details of those cases I will get a comprehensive and detailed response.

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I have indicated the measures that have been taken to date and we believe they will help the vast majority of people who find themselves in that situation.

Order of Business (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: It is proposed to take No. 17, Supplementary Estimates for Public Estimates [Votes 18, 31 and 35] (back from committee); No. 19, Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013 - Report and Final Stages (resumed); and No. a1, Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad] - Second Stage (resumed). It is scheduled to adjourn at 7 p.m. tonight, if not previously concluded, and the order shall resume...

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Last Friday, the ESB group of unions served notice of their intention to take industrial action starting on 16 December. However, the ESB executive director team and the unions continue to meet under the company's established procedures for dealing with industrial relations issues. At this point there is ongoing dialogue between the parties, and while that process continues I believe it...

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I think the Deputy knows from his own experience in the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, which has responsibility for the machinery of industrial relations, that the Government has at its disposal an array of instruments and institutions that can be mobilised at the appropriate time. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is of the view that at this...

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: My attention has been drawn to the announcement by the commissioner to resign with effect from 23 February 2014. My attention has also been drawn to the comments he has made on the status of the Irish language and the current attitude of the Government to implementing its strategy. I have been assured by my colleague beside me, the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley, who has direct...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Site Acquisitions (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is working closely with the relevant Local Authority in relation to identifying and acquiring a suitable site for the provision of permanent accommodation for the school to which he refers. Given the sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further at this point in time. The 5 year school building...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have been informed by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the student referred to by the Deputy had his initial application cancelled on the basis that the student applied in error as an independent student. I understand that the applicant subsequently submitted a second application which will be assessed by SUSI shortly. In order to expedite the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Tuition Scheme Administration (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will be aware from the circular in question that the purpose of my Department's Home Tuition scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school or for children with a special educational need who are awaiting an educational placement and also to provide early educational intervention...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Reports (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department's Annual Report for 2012 has been published and was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Report can be downloaded from the Department's website .

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Services Staff (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will be familiar with the moratorium on recruitment and promotions, in accordance with which no public service post, however arising, may be filled by recruitment, promotion or payment of an allowance for performance of duties at a higher grade. In that regard, the Department was granted a limited derogation from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform which allowed...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that, in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy, reckonable income was over the limit to qualify for a full maintenance grant. The list of payments, known for the purposes of the Student Grant Scheme 2013 as "income disregards" does not extend to Invalidity Pension. Disability Allowance is an...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Correspondence (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I am aware of the correspondence referred to by the Deputy. Officials from my Department met with the Directors of the facility in question last week to discuss the queries raised by them in the correspondence and other associated issues. My officials will continue to liaise with the Directors on matters arising from the constructive meeting.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that a letter issued to the student referred to by the Deputy on 21 November 2013 confirming that a fees only grant had been awarded. I also understand that the student's college were requested to invoice SUSI for the fees.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The project to which the Deputy refers is progressing through the tender process and my Department is currently awaiting receipt of the tender report from the Board of Management.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (5 Dec 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The feeder area for Gaelscoil Shliabh Rua will still be the wider Ballinteer-Stepaside area. There is an Irish language school already located in the area. The question of location for Gaelscoil Shliabh Rua was considered in the context of providing access to both Irish language schools to the greatest number of pupils across the area.