Results 2,981-3,000 of 3,797 for speaker:Ciarán Cannon

Written Answers — Unemployment Levels: Unemployment Levels (19 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: As in other areas of policy and provision, international experience including that of EU Member States in dealing with the needs of the young unemployed can provide a very useful input to the formulation of policies in Ireland that relate to the needs of this cohort. Reviews by the OECD can also provide a useful input. The Government also welcomes the increased visibility that the Youth on...

Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: Most of the contributions to the debate on both sides of the House have welcomed the publication of this Bill. It would be helpful if there were Members from the Opposition side of the House present at the conclusion of this debate.

Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: Members have acknowledged the progress made in framing the proposals to strengthen the legal framework for EROs and REAs, originally established in the Industrial Relations Act 1946. Deputies have expressed an appreciation for the manner in which it is proposed in the Government's Bill to give legal effect to the recommendations of the independent review on the reform of these sectoral wage...

Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2011: Referral to Select Committee (19 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation pursuant to Standing Order 82A(3)(a) (6)(a).

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (18 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: The Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme (RAPS) was introduced in 2011 to provide opportunities for eligible redundant apprentices to undertake on-the-job training at Phase 3, Phase 5 and Phase 7 of the standard based apprenticeship programme. I understand that in 2011, over 2,300 redundant apprentices were placed on the scheme, with 1,600 completing their on-the-job phase. A further 700...

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: Yesterday the Minister for Education and Skills set the debate in the context of the overall financial and budgetary framework in which Ireland must operate. We inherited this legacy from the previous Fianna Fáil Government. He made clear that controlling the public service pay bill and reducing public service numbers-----

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: -----are fundamental to dealing with the gap between public expenditure and revenue. With one third of all public sector employees working in the education sector, it is not possible to leave staffing levels untouched. None the less, despite difficult circumstances the Government is trying to protect frontline services at a time of rapidly rising enrolment in our schools. It is clear from...

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: No Government wants to reduce resources for the education system. However, it would be healthy if our debates on particular measures were based on reason and balance rather than ill-founded assumptions or judgments about how school leaders will manage the changed arrangements. I will clarify a number of critical points. There has been no change to the Education Act 1998, which stipulates...

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: This contrasts with how the last Fianna Fáil Government reduced staffing for second level schools across the board and without protecting DEIS schools. Their more favourable student-teacher ratio will put them in a better position to manage the changes in guidance provision within their standard staffing allocations. A disturbing feature of the comments made in the media and this Chamber is...

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: Our schools are caring institutions and their leaders are responsible professionals. We are confident they will continue to support vulnerable pupils in their care.

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: This budget measure must be viewed in the context of the major challenges that face us in trying to shelter public services to the greatest extent possible in these exceptional times. We have confidence that our second level principals and the boards of management of our schools will balance the guidance needs of pupils with their curricular and other needs within the resources available to them.

Written Answers — Apprenticeship Programmes: Apprenticeship Programmes (17 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 to 167, inclusive, together. The Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme (RAPS) was introduced in 2011 to provide opportunities for eligible redundant apprentices to undertake on-the-job training at Phase 3, Phase 5 and Phase 7 of the standard based apprenticeship programme. I understand that RAPS has re-commenced from 9th January 2012 and will provide...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (17 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: 1On 16 November 2011 the EU budgetary authorities approved three separate applications for co-financed assistance from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) made by my Department in respect of almost 9,000 former workers made redundant in the construction NACE 41, 43 and 71 sub-sectors between 1 July 2009 and 31 March 2010. European Commission financing decisions awarding EGF...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (17 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: FÁS contracts with Specialist Training Providers (STPs) country-wide to deliver training programmes to people with disabilities. A total of 2,110 training places are available annually. FÁS also encourages all people with disabilities to avail of and participate in its broad range of mainline training options. In addition, the European Social Fund-supported Third Level Access Measure...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (17 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: Certification fees were charged by FÁS for the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) since 2002. In November 2010, FÁS agreed with FETAC to pay fees for all backdated CSCS certificates from April 2009 and for 2010. Fee payments for all certificates going forward were also agreed with FETAC. CSCS certification fees collected by FAS up until April 2009 were allocated as a...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (11 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: One of the changes in the school transport scheme which took effect from the beginning of the 2011 school year was an increase from seven to ten in the minimum number of eligible pupils, residing in a distinct locality, required to establish or retain an individual school transport service. Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport schemes on behalf of my Department, has advised that...

Written Answers — European Globalisation Fund: European Globalisation Fund (11 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 234 together. My Department as the EGF Managing Authority in relation to the Dell EGF Programme, submitted the Final Report and accompanying statement of expenditure to the European Commission on 23 December 2011 as required in compliance with the EGF Regulations and the specific European Commission decision awarding a financial contribution from the...

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (11 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: This issue relates to a Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) course undertaken in a further education college managed by City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee (CDVEC). The person referred to by the Deputy should contact the Principal of the college in which they took the course and formally request a recheck of the exam in question. The paper will be checked and marked by someone other...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (11 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority. The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form and supporting documentation, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student should qualify for a grant. An applicant may appeal the...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (11 Jan 2012)

Ciarán Cannon: On 9 June 2011 Ireland submitted three applications for combined EGF co-financing of €35.7m in respect of an affected population of 9,089 former workers who, based on evidence of statutory redundancy payments and on apprenticeship information held by FÁS, had been recorded as having been made redundant in the relevant NACE 41, 43 and 71 construction sub-sectors between 1 July 2009 and 31...