Results 5,181-5,200 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Provision (8 Oct 2015)

Damien English: Children are eligible for Post Primary School Transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from, and are attending, their nearest education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. The closing date for receipt of payments for school transport was 31st July 2015; a number of families, with children who are eligible for school...

Topical Issue Debate: University Governance (7 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I would like to thank the Deputies for raising this issue. It is certainly a matter of concern to my senior Minister, but she cannot be in two places at the same time so I am answering this matter on her behalf. In early 2012, a former employee of the University of Limerick informed a public representative, who in turn informed the Committee of Public Accounts, of alleged irregular practices...

Topical Issue Debate: University Governance (7 Oct 2015)

Damien English: The full terms of reference will be available in the next couple of days. I can have them sent on to the Deputies. I presume the terms of reference will be wide in order to cover all this. The Department, the HEA and all involved are anxious that this be dealt with fully and conclusively. There is no point in having a review that does not cover all the concerns and alleged wrongdoings, so...

Topical Issue Debate: University Governance (7 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I was only aware of one. The Deputy will appreciate that I do not have all the information on the full case. I can check for him, however, and will get that confirmed. The hope is that this review will deal with all this one way or the other. That is why it will be dealt with quite quickly. As regards the Deputy's concern that the review may prevent a further investigation, I do not...

Topical Issue Debate: University Governance (7 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I have given my view on it. It is not in my gift to ask them or tell them to do that. It is my view, however, that it is best to avoid High Court proceedings where possible. We will see how this review comes on, but I will discuss it with the Department as well.

Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (7 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I again thank both Deputies. To be clear, the Department's building and planning unit has proven itself to be fit for purpose in recent years. It has responded quite well and has a clear mission, which is to spend taxpayers' money correctly, wisely, fairly and equitably nationwide. Consequently, as the Deputy will appreciate, there must be a formal process. The unit has proved itself - I...

Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (7 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I thank the Deputies for raising this matter. In recent weeks, Deputy Bannon was in contact with the Minister and me in this regard. It is important we bring clarity to the situation. If there is any confusion, we will try to put it to bed. I will offer a formal answer, after which we can go through the details. This debate gives me the opportunity to outline to the House the current...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (7 Oct 2015)

Damien English: Children are eligible for Post Primary School Transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from, and are attending, their nearest education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. In general, transport services are not established in areas where suitable public scheduled bus services already exist. In such cases children...

Topical Issue Debate: Misuse of Drugs (6 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for raising this issue. She will be aware that the Minister of State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, is out of the country and unable to respond personally. The Government's response to the problem of drug misuse in our society is set out in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-16. The Minister of...

Topical Issue Debate: Misuse of Drugs (6 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for the additional points she has made, which I will relay to the Minister of State, Deputy Ó Ríordáin. As the Deputy herself said, this is an issue that cuts across several Departments, including Health and Justice and Equality. Unfortunately, the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, could not be here today either. The Government is conscious that...

Topical Issue Debate: Disease Incidence (6 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I am responding to this Topical Issue matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar. I thank Deputy Kirk for giving me an opportunity to address the House on the important issue of the HIQA report on the threat of Legionnaire's disease at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. I would like to apologise on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, who generally...

Topical Issue Debate: Disease Incidence (6 Oct 2015)

Damien English: The Deputy has raised a matter of the utmost concern. He will accept that the Minister always tries to be here for Topical Issue debates when he can. His diary did not permit his attendance here today. He is certainly taking this issue very seriously. I will bring back to him the Deputy's additional questions and requests for information. It is important to point out that the hospital...

Other Questions: School Accommodation (6 Oct 2015)

Damien English: The school referred to by the Deputy is situated on a split campus, with the senior school sharing a campus with another primary school. The school was approved funding under the prefab replacement scheme in 2012, but this funding has not been drawn down. The school authorities submitted an alternative proposal that involved the provision of all the proposed replacement accommodation on the...

Other Questions: School Accommodation (6 Oct 2015)

Damien English: It is off the table.

Other Questions: School Accommodation (6 Oct 2015)

Damien English: The Deputy will appreciate that the Department has been very willing to work with what the schools wanted. Intentions have changed on a couple of occasions, which is grand and okay. The Department have been willing to facilitate that at all times. It stood back to allow time for the amalgamation to be developed, but that is not happening now. The facts have changed. I am glad the report...

Other Questions: School Accommodation (6 Oct 2015)

Damien English: Work is ongoing on the new construction plan. I wish I knew what is in it, but I do not. It would be useful for me to know. Every school is being looked at. The demographics are naturally most important when decisions are being made on ensuring accommodation is provided for those who need it. It is a question of meeting extra demand. The last five-year plan did quite well in matching...

Other Questions: School Accommodation (6 Oct 2015)

Damien English: With regard to the time involved, we have heard other questions about policy, time and planning matters as well. It is important that the right site is picked. Previous Administrations did not do that correctly, so it is right for the county council to be fully involved in picking the site.

Other Questions: School Accommodation (6 Oct 2015)

Damien English: I will not apologise for that. We put that reform in place and that is the way it should always have been. That was not always the case. When the site is picked, it will be the right site. That means it will not get delayed at other stages and we will be able to access the site with the correct infrastructure. It will be the right site for all the stakeholders. I have seen with previous...

Other Questions: School Accommodation (6 Oct 2015)

Damien English: To be clear, a significant number of potential site options were identified by the local authority. It is the duty of the local authority to provide site options. The Department has investigated all of them as technical assessments were required. Most of the sites involve complex issues. It is often the case that a preferred site is identified but this changes after other options are...

Other Questions: School Accommodation (6 Oct 2015)

Damien English: As the Deputy is aware, technical inspection of a significant number of potential site options for the school accommodation to which he referred has been conducted by officials from my Department, working with officials from Donegal County Council. My officials are currently considering the findings of the assessment and, with the assistance of the local authority, are clarifying technical...