Results 5,381-5,400 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Road Safety (9 Jun 2015)

Damien English: I understand that the report referred to by the Deputy relates to the Kentstown accident in 2005. This report was not formally published for a number of different reasons. The content of the report was superseded by other investigations into the 2005 incident - including those of An Garda Síochána and the Health & Safety Authority (HSA) - and all of the information...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (9 Jun 2015)

Damien English: The person referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, is not attending a recognised school and is therefore not eligible for school transport under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Administration (9 Jun 2015)

Damien English: As I clarified in my reply on 5th November 2014, the usage of words such as "contract" in various contexts was considered in the High Court proceedings seeking an order setting aside the arrangements between my Department and Bus Éireann for the provision of national school transport services. Given that a Court of Appeal appeal is still pending it would be inappropriate for me to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Provision (9 Jun 2015)

Damien English: Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Data (9 Jun 2015)

Damien English: The PLC programme is operated mainly by Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and the staff in PLC are employed by each ETB. My Department does not hold current data on the number of staff employed in PLC or on their qualifications. Section 30 of The Teaching Council Act 2014 which was commenced on 28 January 2014, provides that teachers in recognised schools, including PLC teachers, must be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Contracts (9 Jun 2015)

Damien English: The employment of staff in Education and Training Boards (ETB) is an operational matter for individual ETBs as employers. Kildare and Wicklow ETB, the employer in this case, has informed my Department that one former staff member who had retired was asked to return late in the academic year for an average of 2 hours per week and another staff member who works on average less than one hour...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (28 May 2015)

Damien English: The purpose of my Department's School Transport Schemes is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their...

Topical Issue Debate: State Examinations (27 May 2015)

Damien English: I thank Deputy Fleming for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the House the position with regard to the State Examinations Commission's scheme of Reasonable Accommodations at the Certificate Examinations, RACE. I am taking this debate on behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy O'Sullivan, who is out of the country today. The State...

Topical Issue Debate: State Examinations (27 May 2015)

Damien English: It is not nonsense for me to come into the House and outline the process. I was just telling the truth as it is. The Deputy might not like it but that is the process. It would be wrong for any Minister to be able to interfere with a process that is meant to be independent. This is a State examination, a leaving certificate qualification and we cannot ever be accused of giving an unfair...

Seanad: Springboard Programme: Motion (27 May 2015)

Damien English: The Senator is in a safe place now.

Seanad: Springboard Programme: Motion (27 May 2015)

Damien English: I apologise for interrupting the Senator. Will he clarify his point regarding SOLAS?

Seanad: Springboard Programme: Motion (27 May 2015)

Damien English: I will try to deal with most of the questions I have been asked. I want to thank Senator Jim D'Arcy and other colleagues for putting forward this motion, which gives us a great opportunity to discuss the success of Springboard and the whole initiative in that regard. It is also an opportunity to contribute to the debate and to acknowledge all the great work that was done by many people...

Seanad: Springboard Programme: Motion (27 May 2015)

Damien English: I know the Senator was not saying it, but he was quoting it and it needs to be eliminated. It is wrong to say they were not asked. The ETBs are on the apprenticeship council and Martin O'Brien does a great job there. I spoke about the apprenticeship council's call for proposals at every speech I gave, and I gave a lot speeches in the eight months since I took up this job. It was...

Seanad: Springboard Programme: Motion (27 May 2015)

Damien English: I would say the problem is at their end because this was well publicised. If those in the industry and the sector are on top of their jobs, they should know about it. It would certainly not be the fault of SOLAS. The motion is about trying to expand Springboard to cater for other areas. Senator Jim D'Arcy mentioned the issue of low-paid workers and this is a perfect opportunity to look at...

Seanad: Springboard Programme: Motion (27 May 2015)

Damien English: That is grand, but the Senator's research might be out of date. It is certainly not reflected in 2015, because we did not cut the places.

Seanad: Springboard Programme: Motion (27 May 2015)

Damien English: I will come to that. I agree with the value of career guidance, but we did not cut the funding for it. One of the first aspects of SOLAS's work this year is a review of PLC places to determine whether we are getting value for money, which I believe we are, whether we need more places and whether we can add to the number. A major review of the provision of PLC places is under way this year....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Provision (27 May 2015)

Damien English: In general, under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school. Bus Éireann has advised that the children in question are not eligible for school transport as they are not attending their nearest Gaelscoil. While it is the prerogative of...

Topical Issue Debate: Education and Training Provision (26 May 2015)

Damien English: I can raise these issues with SOLAS and the ETB. We met with them recently and they are doing great work in the area referred to. It is about striking the right balance. As it is an independent autonomous entity, we cannot direct it in any way but it knows it has certain responsibilities. It works very closely with SOLAS on an annual basis in respect of the service plan and our overall...

Topical Issue Debate: Education and Training Provision (26 May 2015)

Damien English: We need to get the balance right. The Deputy will appreciate that the ETB is an independent entity, but I will raise his concerns with them.

Topical Issue Debate: Education and Training Provision (26 May 2015)

Damien English: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline the position on the allocation of PLC places in general and also in Cappamore. By way of background, PLC places are allocated by SOLAS to the education and training boards, ETBs, and other schools as part of an annual service plan process. There are 32,688 approved PLC places nationwide. For...