Results 4,021-4,040 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staffing (3 Jul 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The budget measure that required schools to manage the provision of guidance from within their standard staffing allocation, was introduced as an alternative to adjusting the standard staffing schedule and must be seen in the context of our very difficult budgetary constraints. It is also worth pointing out that, as part of last year's budgetary measures, my Department helped shelter the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (3 Jul 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Public expenditure on education in Ireland as a percentage of total public expenditure was relatively even over much of the first decade of this century, being 13.7% in 2000, 14% in 2005 and 13.4% in 2009. While the percentage spend reduced significantly to 9.7% in 2010 the main driver of this reduction was the very large increase in public expenditure recorded in 2010 over 2009 as a result...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (3 Jul 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 61 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that the level of resources being devoted to supporting children with Special Educational Needs has been maintained at €1.3 billion this year. This includes provision for 10,575 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) and nearly 10,000 Learning Support and Resource Teachers. These resources have been protected...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (3 Jul 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy will be aware the student contribution will increase to €2,500 for the next academic year and is payable by students who qualify under the free fees schemes. Students who qualify under my Department's student grant scheme have the student contribution paid on their behalf by the Exchequer. Conscious of financial pressures on families tax relief provisions have been put...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (3 Jul 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Pupil teacher ratios for the 2012/2013 academic year are currently being compiled and will be available during the summer of 2013. Figures for the 2011/2012 academic year are available on the Department's website at . The staffing schedule is the mechanism used for allocating mainstream teaching posts to all schools. It operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Submissions (3 Jul 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Organisations representing minority denominational schools have made submissions to my Department on the effect of changes to the staffing schedule for small primary schools and on the possible outcome of the Value for Money Review of Small Primary Schools. My Department takes account of the concerns expressed. In regard to the staffing schedule, how best to sustain provision for widely...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Education Review (3 Jul 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that the level of resources devoted to supporting children with Special Educational Needs has been maintained at €1.3 billion this year. This includes provision for 10,575 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) and nearly 10,000 Learning Support and Resource Teachers. These resources have been protected despite the ongoing severe financial position. The ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Education Review (3 Jul 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) published its Policy Advice on Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs on 17 May, 2013. This is a very significant report which is based on a review of best practice in both national and international research and follows a wide process of consultation with children with Special Educational Needs, parents, representative groups,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (3 Jul 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning and is included on the five year school building programme. Stage 2b of the project which includes Planning Permission, Fire Certification, Disability Access Certification (DAC) and the preparation of tender documents has been approved. The school authority has recently...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staffing (3 Jul 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Teacher allocations to all second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The staffing arrangements at post primary level for the 2013-14 school year have been published and are available on the Department website. In accordance with these rules each school management authority including the school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Bodies Mergers (3 Jul 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The Programme for Government included a proposal to merge the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. Following consideration of the issues involved, it was decided that the school-focused functions of the NCTE should be integrated more closely with other support services for teachers and schools and that certain functions...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (3 Jul 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) engaged with County Louth VEC during the 2011/2012 school year with a view to establishing an autism unit at one of its post-primary schools in Louth. The VEC, in collaboration with the NCSE, identified the school concerned as being suitable for the establishment of such a unit. The NCSE recommended that an...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Support Schemes Issues (3 Jul 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Students pursue GEM programmes as second undergraduate degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees or for student grants. However in order to widen access to GEM programmes, and give assistance towards the financial burden on each student pursuing these programmes, the fees of participatng EU students are partly subsidised by the State via the Higher Education Authority....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Administration (3 Jul 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: A project manager has been appointed by my Department to oversee the delivery of the project referred to by the Deputy. Tenders for the project are due for return on July 15th 2013 and the relevant officials from Waterford City Council have been kept updated in relation to the project progress. Assuming no issues arise it is anticipated that construction will commence in Quarter four 2013....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Emergency Works Scheme Applications (3 Jul 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Following receipt of an application from the school authority I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department recently approved funding under the Emergency Works Scheme. The school authority has been informed of this decision.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (3 Jul 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Appeals (3 Jul 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the student referred to by the Deputy was issued with a new award letter on 28th June 2013, following a decision by the SUSI Appeals Officer. If the student is unhappy with the decision of the Appeals Officer, or is of the opinion that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she may appeal...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staffing (3 Jul 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports including resource teaching and Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support as well as the establishment of special...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (3 Jul 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department has been in contact with the school, referred to by the Deputy, and approved the preparation of the report concerned into the school's accommodation issues. This report has now been received and my Department will be in further contact with the school authorities when this report has been assessed.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staffing (3 Jul 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 95 together. The working week for SNAs is defined in their contract (Department of Education and Skills Circular 15/05). SNAs are required to work normal classroom hours including class break periods and in addition to attend before and after school in order to help with the preparation and tidying up of classrooms, reception and dispersal of children...