Results 4,221-4,240 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Funding (26 Jun 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I understand that the Higher Education Authority (HEA) is undertaking a study on the sustainability of the current funding system for higher education. This study was initiated at my request and an initial report has been published. This report makes it clear that immediate work is required to prepare for a longer term approach to a system that can be maintained through a sustainable funding...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (26 Jun 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 122 together. 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...

Special Educational Needs: Motion [Private Members] (25 Jun 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:"notes: -- the absolute commitment of this Government, and the Minister for Education and Skills, to protecting Government spending on supporting children with special educational needs - an area which has been prioritised above all other areas by this Government, despite the enormous...

Special Educational Needs: Motion [Private Members] (25 Jun 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Given that we have allocated 10,490 posts, 70 posts remain for allocation during the school year while additional posts may be freed up during the year where pupils do not enrol in schools or where care needs diminish. My Department will also provide further clarity to schools in the coming months on the role of SNAs in schools in accordance with the recommendations contained in the recently...

Special Educational Needs: Motion [Private Members] (25 Jun 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: That is rich coming from the Deputy.

Special Educational Needs: Motion [Private Members] (25 Jun 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I have adjusted it.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (25 Jun 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: As part of their role, Education Centres develop and provide a range of programmes for teachers, school management, and parents. These programmes are designed in part to respond to locally identified needs while also providing the opportunity to test new approaches. The Parental Guidance Programme for Primary Schools was run through Tralee Education Centre in 2006. Its aim was to build and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (25 Jun 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: 73 small primary schools were originally due to lose a classroom teacher in September 2012 as a result of the budget measure to increase the relevant pupil thresholds. The affected schools were given the right of appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeal Board in the event that they could show that their Projected enrolments for September 2012 were sufficient to allow them retain their classroom...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (25 Jun 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will be aware that the July Education Programme is available to all special schools and mainstream primary schools with special classes catering for children with autism that choose to extend their education services through the month of July. My Department also provides for a July Programme for pupils with a severe/profound general learning disability. Where school based...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Issues (25 Jun 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Textbooks (25 Jun 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I am very conscious that the cost of textbooks is a considerable burden on families. Since becoming Minister for Education and Skills, I have attempted to take steps to reduce the burden on families. Shortly after coming into office I met with members of the Irish Educational Publishers' Association and impressed on them the need to limit the cost of textbooks. I have also stressed to them...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (25 Jun 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The Major Building Project referred to by the Deputy is currently at an early Stage of Architectural Planning. The Department is currently awaiting submission by the Board of Management and its Design team of an addendum to the Stage 2a report. Following review of this addendum report, and subject to no further issues arising, the project will be authorised to proceed to apply for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Design (25 Jun 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will be aware that, following agreement in principle by the Government to broaden the current means testing arrangements for student grants by way of inclusion of the value of capital assets, I set up a dedicated implementation group to bring forward detailed proposals. I have received a draft report from the implementation group. This is currently under consideration and I will...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Education Review (25 Jun 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that last year I requested the NCSE to review and make recommendations on the supports that we provide to children with special educational needs and how they are allocated, to ensure we are delivering the best possible educational experience and outcomes for our children. In preparing this policy advice the NCSE consulted widely with parents of children with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (25 Jun 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the student referred to by the Deputy is eligible for a Fee grant of 50% . A correct award letter will issue in the coming days to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (25 Jun 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together. The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Recruitment (25 Jun 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 253 together. When the moratorium on the filling of posts of responsibility was introduced the Government exempted Principal and Deputy Principal posts in all primary and post-primary schools and these posts continue to be replaced in the normal manner. The impact of the moratorium is therefore limited to the Director of Adult Education, Assistant...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (25 Jun 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that the NCSE, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including the allocation of Special Needs Assistants to schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's established criteria for the allocation of Special Education supports and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (25 Jun 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that the applicant referred to by the Deputy was issued with a decision on the 30th May 2013 advising her that she was deemed ineligible to receive a grant. SUSI also confirmed that on the 19th of June they had received further documents from the applicant and they are currently being examined and the student...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (25 Jun 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of the tender process. Subject to no issues arising, it is anticipated that construction will commence in July 2013 and the project will be completed in late 2014.