Results 5,261-5,280 of 9,820 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (16 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister is holding the fort for the Minister of State, Deputy Halligan, with these questions. I will not complain about a senior Minister doing so but Deputy Halligan was absent during jobs questions as well. I know he is doing important business for the State around the world. That is crucial and we welcome that. The programme for Government's ambition is to double the number of...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (16 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: Will incentives be put in place for companies to become involved with new apprenticeship schemes? It must be widened not just through demand and new categories of apprenticeships. Companies will have to come on board to provide these. What incentives could be proposed?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (16 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Minister and perhaps I will come forward with some ideas for incentivisation as this needs to happen and we need to broaden our horizons as a nation. We must get companies used to this, as apprenticeships are traditionally viewed as something that happen in the construction sector. That is important and there are issues there as well but there is potential for this process if it...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Educational Disadvantage (16 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister is right to acknowledge that since we established DEIS, a number of Governments have failed to expand it since 2009. That is a pity because between 2011 and 2013, I think 30 schools were established which have not even been given the opportunity to apply for DEIS status. Since the last identification of schools qualifying under DEIS criteria, communities have changed...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Educational Disadvantage (16 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: When can schools not currently part of the DEIS programme become part of it? Does the Minister have a timeline for that?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Educational Disadvantage (16 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: 24. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will remove the cap on the expansion of the delivering equality of opportunity in schools programme, DEIS; if he will put in place the measures, suggested by the ERSI review of the programme, to taper funding and enhance supports for urban DEIS schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35411/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Educational Disadvantage (16 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: I am putting an urgent question to the Minister which follows from what schools are asking us. It relates to whether the Minister is committed to removing the cap on the expansion of the DEIS scheme. It is a fantastic scheme which was established by the Fianna Fáil Government in 2006. However, the scheme has not expanded significantly since then. Will the Minister put in place...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Third Level Funding (16 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: 22. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to deal with the funding and quality issues in the universities and institutes of technology; and his further plans to develop a strategy document for the third level sector. [35410/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Third Level Funding (16 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: The issue is one of considerable importance. It relates not only to the funding and quality issues in our universities but to the lack of a plan from Government for third level, which is of deep concern to many within the sector. It is of deep concern to my party because we believe, with all the challenges the nation is facing, if we have a properly funded, properly developed and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Third Level Funding (16 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Minister. The truth is that it is nothing short of remarkable that, aside from the Cassells report in recent times, there is very little there from the Minister's Department in terms of third level. The Minister mentioned the Hunt report and the strategy subsequent to it in 2013. The truth is we are in a completely different space. Our institutes of technology are on the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Third Level Funding (16 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister mentioned that Grangegorman is in the action plan. It is there but there is very little else about capital spending in the third level sector. It is hardly mentioned at all. There is no mention of the core expenditure per student being down by so much in the action plan. What proves the point I make is that when it came to the budget and proper, significant political pressure...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (16 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: I met a very nice couple-----

Questions on Proposed Legislation (16 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: I met some couples in my constituency, and I am sure there are others throughout the country, who need surrogacy legislation to be enacted in order to allow them to have a family. What are the Government's plans in relation to that matter?

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Institutes of Technology Funding (16 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: 36. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the HEA financial review of institutes of technology; if the financial deficits uncovered will have an impact on services and courses provided by the institutes; his plans to assist these institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35025/16]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Minor Works Scheme (16 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: 54. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in announcing the minor works grant; when it will be announced; and his views on the difficulty for schools to budget for and plan their maintenance with the uncertainty regarding the minor works programme. [35023/16]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Capitation Grants (16 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: 56. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the levels of capitation grants for the primary and secondary school sectors is adequate; and his plans to increase capitation levels in upcoming budgets. [35026/16]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Digital Strategy for Schools (16 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: 75. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of his Department's investment programme to improve information technology in schools; and if his Department has any proposals to improve routine maintenance of information technology in schools. [35024/16]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (16 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: 114. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the technical assessment of a school building (details supplied) will take place with regard to capital works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35327/16]

Questions on Proposed Legislation (15 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: My party leader raised the financing of institutes of technology, but there is a bigger issue as well. There is no plan or vision from the Government for the third level sector. The Action Plan for Education was published some months ago and it contains only two lines about third level funding. There were a further two lines in the budget stating that a funding plan for third level...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (15 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: Boxer, the right-hand man.