Results 5,121-5,140 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 40 and 49 together. As the Deputies will be aware, I announced at the recent Teacher Union Conferences that I will shortly bring to Government draft heads of a bill – the Education (Admission to School) Bill 2013. I will seek to publish the Bill in draft form to allow a full public discussion, including inputs from the Oireachtas Joint Committee...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: In line with the philosophy of the Framework for Junior Cycle, no subject or short course will be deemed compulsory apart from Irish, English and Mathematics. There are no plans to revisit this. Schools will be given flexibility to shape their own junior cycle programme by including a selection of subjects, short courses and other learning experiences that will allow their students to meet...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Croke Park Agreement Issues (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: In relation to estimates of savings arising from the LRC proposals, the Revised Estimates Volume for 2013 is expected to be published very shortly. This document will set out the revised allocations for Votes arising from the proposals made. The Revised Estimates Volume for 2013 will be submitted to the Oireachtas for consideration in due course. Following the publication of the 2013...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staffing (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will be aware that in the context of Budget 2012, I announced a three year phased adjustment to increase the relevant pupil thresholds for small schools with four teachers or less. The staffing arrangements in small primary schools are considerably more favourable than other medium to larger schools. The budget measure is focused on dealing with this cost premium, on a phased...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy will be aware, there are two schools on this site, a Junior School and a Senior School. Both schools have temporary accommodation in addition to their permanent structures and have applied to the Department for replacement permanent buildings. The next step to progressing a building project for the schools involves the appointment of a design team and the commencement of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Guidance Counsellors (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 57 together. The Minister for Education and Skills has already acknowledged to the House that bringing guidance within quota is challenging for schools. However the alternative was to adjust the PTR staffing allocations. The budget decision sheltered the impact for all DEIS post-primary schools by improving their standard staffing allocations. There...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Administration (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 64 and 77 together. I understand from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that at close of business on 14th April 2013, 603 applications are currently with SUSI for processing, There are 100 appeals awaiting a decision and 90 applications awaiting a re-assessment following an appeal. Up to 2011, students applied to their local authority or VEC for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Croke Park Agreement Issues (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The proposals put forward by the Labour Relations Commission on an extension to the Croke Park Agreement arise from an intensive and difficult set of negotiations between the Public Services Committee of ICTU and the Government. These negotiations took place against a backdrop of continuing significant difficulties in the finances of the State. The public service trade unions are currently...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions Entry Requirements (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 54 together. At my request, my Department, the NCCA, the SEC, the HEA and the higher education institutions have been working together to agree a framework for reform of the important transition of school leavers from second level into higher education. This is a complex area and requires concerted action across 2nd and 3rd level. On 27th March, I...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Health and Safety Issues (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The health and safety of school staff and pupils is a fundamental aspect of the day-to-day management of schools. My Department has a role in supporting schools in relation to how they discharge those responsibilities. The survey conducted by IMPACT can be valuable in informing best practice in schools and I hope it will be made available to my Department and others. On receipt of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staffing (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 53, 76 and 101 together. I wish to advise the Deputies that this Government is committed to the protection of frontline services for pupils with special educational needs. The Programme for Government sets out that education will be a priority for this Government and that we will endeavour to protect and enhance the educational experience of children,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Inspectors (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Post-primary inspectors are appointed following an open competition organised through the Public Appointments Service (PAS). For the most recent competition the essential requirements were that an applicant must: hold a recognised, relevant first or second class honours primary degree (Level 8, National Qualifications Framework) in which the subject specialism required in the advertisement...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Issues (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The Leaving Certificate is a high stakes examination. It provides a direct entry access route to further and higher education and the labour market. This is no longer true of the Junior Certificate for the vast majority of students. Just as we reached a point in 1967, where there was no longer a need for a state examined Primary Certificate, I believe we have now reached that point in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Reviews (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I can assure the Deputy that funding has been ring-fenced for the implementation of the new Junior Cycle. The combined costs of curriculum and CPD support in a full year will be of the order of €10 million. A Junior Cycle Support Service will be established under the directorship of Dr. Pádraig Kirk, currently CEO of Co. Louth VEC. It is important to note that this is not a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department strives to ensure that a continuum of special education provision is available as required for children with special educational needs. In line with this approach the policy is to promote a child-centred approach to education of all children with special educational needs including those with autism. As each child with autism is unique they should have access to a range of...

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

Ruairi Quinn: Subject to no issues arising, it is anticipated that works will commence on site in early May for the school building project referred to by the Deputy and will be completed in quarter 2 of 2013.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Reviews (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The reality is there was extensive consultation over many months with teachers and other stakeholders in relation to the NCCA document "Towards a Framework for Junior Cycle." The plans for a revised Junior Cycle, as announced by me last October, reflect the content of the "Towards a Framework" document. However, my proposals do go further in relation to assessment – and the move away...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Garda Vetting of Personnel (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The current arrangements for the vetting of teachers have been in place since 2006 and operate on a non-statutory basis. As the Deputy will be aware, my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality sponsored the recently enacted National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012. The Act is not yet commenced but provides for the putting in place of statutory requirements...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The Department currently spends some €1.3 billion or 15% of its budget in support of children with Special Educational Needs, including those with autism. Many children with autism are supported in mainstream schools where they are integrated with other children, including those with other Special Educational Needs. These children have access to additional resource teaching hours and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (17 Apr 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Following on from recent publication of the results of the surveys of primary school patronage, I have written to the Catholic Patrons in the 23 areas where parental demand for change has been confirmed in the recent surveys. I requested they now consider options for reconfiguring schools under their patronage in order to allow the transfer of a school to a new patron. I have asked the...