Results 4,721-4,740 of 8,015 for speaker:Jonathan O'Brien

Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (21 Jan 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: On behalf of Sinn Féin I thank everyone who contributed to this debate, from both sides of the House. Some of the contributions were very well made and raised issues on which we should reflect. The Minister in her contribution quoted from comments I made in this Chamber in November 2012 on the issue of junior cycle reform. She selectively quoted from my contribution to suggest my...

Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (21 Jan 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: She does not trust their word. The very people who she entrusts to educate our students are advising her, based on their educational expertise, that it is not in the best interest of students or educational outcomes to introduce a system whereby teachers assess their own students. This opinion is based on the expertise they have gained from doing their jobs over many years. The Minister...

Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (21 Jan 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: We are discussing two educational principles. The Minister is trying to describe is assessment for learning, whereby teachers engage with their students on a continuous basis and offer feedback. It is not simply about rote learning and a final examination. I agree that we should move towards a system based on assessment for learning. However, by placing the onus on teachers to mark their...

Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (21 Jan 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: There is a big difference. I appeal to the Minister, even at this very late stage, to postpone the introduction of junior cycle reform, engage constructively with the unions and remove the veto she has placed on negotiations by saying they must accept that 40% of work will be internally assessed. Let us move to a model of continuous assessment, but keep the external accreditation.

Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (21 Jan 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: We are not opposed in principle.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (21 Jan 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: 190. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the projected cost of reinstating teaching qualification allowances for new beneficiaries in the public sector which were removed in January 2011. [2883/15]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Surveys (21 Jan 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: 195. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the survey conducted by the Educational Research Centre at the request of her Department that required the collection of PPS numbers could have been done without collecting PPS numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2915/15]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (21 Jan 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: 196. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the reduction in junior infant intake in a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2920/15]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (21 Jan 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: 202. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to rectify the anomaly concerning dates of employment for students who find themselves in a situation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2978/15]

Junior Cycle Reform: Motion [Private Members] (20 Jan 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: The education budget was increased by £67 million.

Junior Cycle Reform: Motion [Private Members] (20 Jan 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: I move:That Dáil Éireann: — notes that the previous Government examined axing the junior certificate examination structures as a cost-saving initiative and that such axing of the junior certificate examination structures was the starting point of the current Government until teacher unions began a campaign of opposition; — is concerned that the Minister for Education...

Junior Cycle Reform: Motion [Private Members] (20 Jan 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: The Minister must forgive me because I have not had the chance to read it. In some ways, this debate has been in the making for a number of years. As far back as 2010, the first discussion document on new ideas for the junior cycle was put forward by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA. There was a 12 month consultation period following the publication of that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Application Refusals (20 Jan 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: 506. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to a situation that arose in the passport office where a person attended to get an Irish passport for their child, who is entitled to it by virtue of section 6A(1) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, as their father was resident here under stamp 4 conditions for at least three out...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Payments (20 Jan 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: 537. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who were awarded Student Universal Support Ireland grants for 2014/2015 who had not yet received payments on 14 January 2015. [2692/15]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Payments (20 Jan 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: 538. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has reviewed the statistics concerning numbers of students who were awarded Student Universal Support Ireland grants for 2014/2015 who had not received payments by December 2014 and January 2015; her plans to address procedures where SUSI did not allocate payment due to errors on its part. [2693/15]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Administration (20 Jan 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: 541. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her Department's official position on multigrade classrooms in schools and the research and evidence it uses to inform this position. [2698/15]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (20 Jan 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: 546. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if Student Universal Support Ireland disregards mortgage interest supplement when assessing entitlement to grants. [2788/15]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (20 Jan 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: 547. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if Student Universal Support Ireland disregards exceptional needs payments when assessing entitlement to grants. [2789/15]

Leaders' Questions (15 Jan 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: I have a brother who is homeless. He is a recovering heroin addict-----

Leaders' Questions (15 Jan 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: -----who cannot get accommodation because of the cap on rent allowance.