Results 3,861-3,880 of 8,015 for speaker:Jonathan O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Institutions (19 Jan 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: 425. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number and names of agencies that are used to recruit foreign students by the third level sector; the gross cost to the State of using these agencies including value added tax for each of the past five years; the number of these agencies based here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2159/16]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Institutions (19 Jan 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: 426. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the rules or guidelines governing spending by third level institutions on external agencies used to recruit foreign students and the role of the Office of Government Procurement (professional services) in this process. [2160/16]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Institutions (19 Jan 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: 427. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an accreditation process is in place for the agencies used to recruit foreign students to third level institutions; the persons responsible for carrying out supplier reviews, approving legal contracts, and for ensuring student aftercare is at an acceptable standard. [2161/16]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions Entry Requirements (19 Jan 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: 428. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of concerns raised by teaching staff regarding dual standards in the admissions process for students applying through the Central Applications Office and external applications. [2162/16]

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: It is about giving evidence to the committee on such matters as the economy and efficiency of the technological university in using its resources and the systems, procedures and practices employed by it. It is appropriate that the president should be able to give an opinion where, for example, Government policy is, in the president's view, hampering those efficiencies.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: I wanted to flag the issue and give notice of my intention to bring forward an amendment on Report Stage.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: I have a couple of more general questions on the Bill. Does the Minister intend it to be passed before the Dáil rises?

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: I, too, hope that happens. Given the significant number of amendments Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan and I have indicated we intend to bring forward on Report Stage, might it be possible for us to sit down with departmental officials to get clarification on some of the issues we raised? If we had that clarification, there might be no need for some of the amendments. Given the importance of the...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: When does the Minister hope to take Report Stage?

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: We will bring forward an amendment to Schedule 2 on Report Stage. According to subsection (9)(2), "the president shall not question or express an opinion on the merits of any policy of the Government or a Minister of the Government or on the merits of the objectives of such a policy." It may not be the current Minister, Deputy O'Sullivan, who is criticised, as any of us might be the...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: I would like to hear a further comment from the Minister on the matter.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: Does the Minister agree that the president should have the ability to express his opinion on policies?

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: The Schedule states: "In the performance of his or her duties under this paragraph, presidents shall not question or express an opinion on the merits of any policy of the Government or a Minister of the Government or the merits of the objectives of such policy." Would the Minister not agree that a president should have-----

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: It still says that he or she is prevented from commenting on the merits of any policy of Government.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: We may bring forward an amendment on that issue on Report Stage.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: I will bring forward an amendment on Report Stage to delete this section.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: I will bring forward an amendment on Report Stage in respect of pre-2006 staff. I know that the Minister says this issue is covered, but I will bring forward an amendment to deal with it.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: We are discussing new staff. Existing staff will not have superannuation varied. Is that correct?

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: I seek some clarification on section 94. The section repeals sections 13(3) and 13(4) of the Dublin Institute of Technology Act 1992 and section 69(b) of the Education and Training Boards Act 2013. One of the concerns is that the original head 59(7) would represent a stronger position in respect of this provision. I have spoken to the trade unions on this point. They maintain that, as it...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: I move amendment No. 24:In page 56, line 36, to delete “or staff association”. This amendment relates to staff associations but I will withdraw it. However, I will bring forward amendments on Report Stage on a number of issues. This will be in consultation with TUI. The application of TUPE legislation needs to be mentioned. We will propose an amendment to insert "the...