Results 5,101-5,120 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (23 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I understand that officials from my Department provided the data in question to the Deputy's office on the 10th April.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Qualifications (23 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The Teaching Council is the body with statutory responsibility for the registration of teachers including the recognition of qualifications. I understand that the person in question has already been in contact with the Teaching Council and has been requested by the Council to apply for registration using the application form PRQA 01. As each application for registration is considered on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Higher Education Institutions Issues (18 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: As you are aware, I endorsed the framework for system development laid out in the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 which outlines a developmental pathway towards designation as a Technological University for merged institutes of technology who seek to apply. In relation to the evolutionary pathway laid out in the National Strategy for institutes of technology, the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (18 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that the student referred to by the Deputy has been awarded a grant and an award letter issued on 4 January, 2013. If the student is commencing a new course of study in the academic year 2013/14 it will be necessary for her to establish her eligibility by submitting a fully completed online grant application to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (18 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The school project referred to by the Deputy is included in the 5 year construction programme announced in March 2012 and is scheduled to progress to construction in 2015/16. The delivery of this school has been devolved to Westmeath County Council who are in the process of appointing the Design Team. Details of all school building projects included in the 5 year construction programme are...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (18 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The student referred to by the Deputy should contact the SUSI Helpdesks in relation to making enquiries to complete a grant application form in order to determine his eligibility for student support. While maintenance support is not available for students entering approved postgraduates courses, those who meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant under the Student Grant...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Residential Institutions Issues (18 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 to 95, inclusive, and 97 together. I established the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (RISF) Board pursuant to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act, 2012, with effect from 25 March. The Board will oversee the use of the cash contributions of up to €110 million pledged by the religious congregations to support the needs of some...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (18 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The criteria for eligibility for a student grant is set out in the Student Support Act, 2011 and the Student Support Regulations 2012 and in the Student Grant Scheme 2012. Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, approved course, previous academic...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (18 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The design team are currently working on the Stage 2(b) submission, including the preparation of tender documents, which, on completion, will be forwarded to the Department for review. The project is included on the five year Capital Investment Programme, announced in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Payments (18 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland, that on 1st February 2013, a request for further documentation was issued to the student referred to by the Deputy. When the requested documentation is returned the student will be notified directly of the outcome.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Asbestos Remediation Programme (18 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department has recently advised the OPW to appoint a Design Team to carry out works to remove and replace the asbestos roof at the school in question.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (18 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Responsibility for the delivery of the school referred to by the Deputy has been devolved to the Office of Public Works. The OPW have recently forwarded a tender report for this school project to the Department and the Department is currently, with the OPW, considering these documents. The school project is being progressed so that the accommodation required for the school will be provided...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (18 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I think it would be useful if I set out the sequence of policy and budgetary measures in relation to new appointees to teaching and their pay entitlements. The first measure took effect on 1 September 2010. It requires that, in order to be eligible to receive the qualified rate of pay and allowances, a person on their first appointment to teaching must be registered with the Teaching...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staffing (18 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to clarify that the staff referred to by the Deputy are not funded by my Department. I am aware that the Association in question is experiencing difficulties as my officials are in direct contact with the school under the Association's management and with the Health Service Executive. I wish to clarify that the level of teaching and Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support allocated to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (18 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I previously advised the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is an independent agency with responsibility 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 Department's criteria in allocating...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Closures (18 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I assure the Deputy that there is no decision to close small or rural schools. I am aware of the concerns of the small rural schools and I am cognisant of the importance of schools to rural communities. Our current configuration of small primary schools is being examined by my Department in a value for money review. This review had been commenced by my predecessor in office is part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Adviser Pay (18 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 107 together. The table that follows this reply gives details of the Special Advisers employed at my Department and their respective salaries, which have remained constant since the date of their appointment. The total salary cost for Special Advisers in 2012 was approximately €198,548, including the employer's P.R.S.I. contribution. While...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Bodies Establishment (18 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Under the Public Service Reform plan, the following rationalisations were identified: the merger of the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology and the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Science into a consolidated single council under the HEA; the amalgamation of the Further Education and Training Awards Council, the Higher Education and Training...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Procurement Regulations (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 69 together. Given the potential benefits that can be realised across the public sector, public procurement is one of the major projects of key strategic importance under the Government's Public Service Reform Plan. The Public Service Reform Plan, published in November 2011, provides for the development of a new policy framework for procurement. This...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Applications (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy may be aware, it was anticipated in the announcement of the five year construction programme in March last year that adjustments might be made in relation to the scheduling of projects included in the programme on a year to year basis within the lifetime of the Plan. Decisions on these matters are made following consideration of a number of criteria, such as the overall annual...