Results 42,861-42,880 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Order of Business (20 Nov 2012)

Bernard Durkan: What is the progress in publishing the health (amendment) (No. 2) Bill, which will rectify a number of issues identified over time, specifically regarding the Health Act 1970? It will give the House the opportunity to discuss related matters as well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Exchange of Views with European Union Affairs Committee of Latvian Parliament (20 Nov 2012)

Bernard Durkan: He was popular with some.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Exchange of Views with European Union Affairs Committee of Latvian Parliament (20 Nov 2012)

Bernard Durkan: Like my colleagues, I welcome the delegation. All of us, including the Chairman, have encouraged similar visits in the past as they help us to ensure we have a better understanding of each other's positions when dealing with issues at European level. I have felt for a long time that the level of interaction between the Members of national Parliaments is not nearly sufficient. Such...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Exchange of Views with European Union Affairs Committee of Latvian Parliament (20 Nov 2012)

Bernard Durkan: A little. We are doing better than we thought we would. In our current position, if we want to go the extra mile and do the extra job that has to be done, we will have to hit the sector that generates money in the local economy. That is the danger area. It is interesting to note that the IMF and the ECB are not ad idem on this issue. In recent times the head of the IMF and Jean-Claude...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Exchange of Views with European Union Affairs Committee of Latvian Parliament (20 Nov 2012)

Bernard Durkan: I usually mention something of which I have been critical for a long time. I have been a member of the Joint Committee on European Affairs for almost 30 years and have seen strange things happen during that time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Exchange of Views with European Union Affairs Committee of Latvian Parliament (20 Nov 2012)

Bernard Durkan: There should be an award for those who have tolerated my existence for so long.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Exchange of Views with European Union Affairs Committee of Latvian Parliament (20 Nov 2012)

Bernard Durkan: I remember a time when we were greeted warmly all over Europe, without exception. The concept laid down by the founding fathers of Europe was like the motto of the Three Musketeers - "one for all and all for one" - but whether we like it, it is a fact that it has since been lost. Some countries, perhaps including Ireland from time to time, have ceased taking ownership of the European...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Future Skills Needs (20 Nov 2012)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied with the progress made towards meeting the educational skills requirement of industry in the future with particular reference to the high-skill requirements of the modern industrial sector; if any particular skill shortages have been specifically identified; the extent to which the educational sector is in a position to meet such...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Future Skills Needs (20 Nov 2012)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he and his Department have monitored the various skill requirements of industry now and in the future; if he is satisfied that such requirements will be met in full in the short, medium and long term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51581/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (20 Nov 2012)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which his attention has been drawn to the threat to smaller rural schools; the number of any such schools likely to be faced with closure in the short and medium term; if he is conscious of local preferences in regards to such schools including traditional ethos; if he accepts the need to ensure that such communities are catered for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Skills Development (20 Nov 2012)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which his Department in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection has identified up-skilling or reskilling requirements throughout the educational and training sectors with a view to meeting the needs of industry to a greater extent that heretofore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51580/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Skills Development (20 Nov 2012)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent of re-education, reskilling or up-skilling requirements arising from modern economic trends; the degree to which he expects to be in a position to meet such requirements in full over the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51591/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (20 Nov 2012)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of primary schools throughout the country currently dependant on prefabricated accommodation; his plans to address this issue in the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51582/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (20 Nov 2012)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of post- primary schools throughout the country currently dependant on prefabricated accommodation; his plans to address this issue in the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51583/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (20 Nov 2012)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider an alternative means for the assessment of higher education grants in view of the difficulties that have arisen in the current year; if a return to the previous method of assessment by local authorities is likely to be considered in the short and or medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51584/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Courses (20 Nov 2012)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which sufficient third level places remain available to meet the current and on-going demand; if he foresees any and changes in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51585/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (20 Nov 2012)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of primary schools in urban or rural areas deemed to be at risk due to demographics or other reasons throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51586/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (20 Nov 2012)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to be in a position to meet the special needs requirements at primary and post-primary level throughout the country in the coming year notwithstanding the on-going economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51587/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (20 Nov 2012)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to meet the full requirement of special needs assistants in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51590/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staffing (20 Nov 2012)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of schools, on a county basis, at primary and or second level that have been affected by a reduction in the number of teachers over the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51588/12]