Results 5,201-5,220 of 8,015 for speaker:Jonathan O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Courses Availability (26 Jun 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: 83. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact the ALBA course in All Hallows College, BA in Personal and Professional Development, is closing to new entrants; if he is working with other third level institutions to ensure that such a course is available elsewhere in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27635/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (26 Jun 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: 84. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the towns and areas that were surveyed regarding divestment of patronage of local schools; the number of persons surveyed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27638/14]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Possible Reconfiguration of Schools: Archdiocese of Dublin (25 Jun 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: If one takes the point made by Ms McDonagh that the body is not in a position to maintain two campuses, what is being proposed is that the owner of one campus, who is the patron of a school on the other campus, is in favour of closing that particular school and amalgamating it with the school on the campus he owns, which is similar to what was happening in Cork.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Possible Reconfiguration of Schools: Archdiocese of Dublin (25 Jun 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: Is it possible, with the permission of the archdiocese, to get a copy of the letter from the De La Salle Order for our information? I am referring to the letter stating that it was no longer in a position to be a trustee. Can the deputation provide that to the committee? I understand the letter that went out yesterday to parents of pupils in the De La Salle school states clearly that the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Possible Reconfiguration of Schools: Archdiocese of Dublin (25 Jun 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: Can I ask when that commitment was secured?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Possible Reconfiguration of Schools: Archdiocese of Dublin (25 Jun 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: Was it before December 2013?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Possible Reconfiguration of Schools: Archdiocese of Dublin (25 Jun 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: The timing of it would be interesting. If Ms McDonagh received a commitment prior to December 2013, is it any wonder De La Salle came out in December 2013 to say it was no longer in a position to be a trustee, if discussions about taking over the leasing of sports facilities had already taken place by that time?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Possible Reconfiguration of Schools: Archdiocese of Dublin (25 Jun 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: Did the brothers consider-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Possible Reconfiguration of Schools: Archdiocese of Dublin (25 Jun 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: Did it state that it was no longer willing to act as a trustee?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Possible Reconfiguration of Schools: Archdiocese of Dublin (25 Jun 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: Was this after the initial proposal to amalgamate the schools, when the Dominican campus was first mooted?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Possible Reconfiguration of Schools: Archdiocese of Dublin (25 Jun 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: Prior to that, had the congregation ever indicated that it was unwilling to remain as a trustee?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Possible Reconfiguration of Schools: Archdiocese of Dublin (25 Jun 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: Why did nobody talk to them about the process of a possible amalgamation of schools in the area? I presume they would have been part of that discussion prior to December 2013.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Possible Reconfiguration of Schools: Archdiocese of Dublin (25 Jun 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: There was no indication until December 2013, when all of a sudden a statement was issued by the De La Salle Brothers stating that they were no longer willing to act as a trustee for the two schools.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Possible Reconfiguration of Schools: Archdiocese of Dublin (25 Jun 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: The timing is important. The discussions started around the possible amalgamation of schools, of which one site is owned by the bishop and one site is owned by the De La Salle Brothers. The proposal that is on the table is to close the site, which has been described by Ms McDonagh as a fantastic campus with terrific grounds, and transfer to a site that does not have the services and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Possible Reconfiguration of Schools: Archdiocese of Dublin (25 Jun 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: But the patron of the school-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Possible Reconfiguration of Schools: Archdiocese of Dublin (25 Jun 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: That is what Ms McDonagh thinks happened, but has she made inquiries as to what actually happened? The patron has a responsibility as well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Possible Reconfiguration of Schools: Archdiocese of Dublin (25 Jun 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: The patron, who is the bishop, could have turned around and said that as the person responsible for ensuring the quality of education, he wanted them to explore other options and not just go along with what seemed to be a fait accompli. When it was a fait accompli, it seems the De La Salle Brothers decided that they could no longer-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Possible Reconfiguration of Schools: Archdiocese of Dublin (25 Jun 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: I agree completely, and this is why the views of the parents should be listened to.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Possible Reconfiguration of Schools: Archdiocese of Dublin (25 Jun 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: I can wait.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Possible Reconfiguration of Schools: Archdiocese of Dublin (25 Jun 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: Ms McDonagh said in her statement that the De La Salle Brothers informed the archbishop that they are no longer able to act as trustees. When and how was the archdiocese informed of that? Was it communicated through correspondence or face-to-face meetings? When was that message conveyed to the archbishop? Ms McDonagh said that De La Salle is an outstanding campus with terrific grounds...