Results 5,561-5,580 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (26 Feb 2015)

Damien English: To be clear, I cannot commit to bringing forward an amendment because we do not believe one is needed.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (26 Feb 2015)

Damien English: Before we finish, we will be proofing the Bill, as amended, and the necessary amendments will be introduced on Report Stage. As I said in regard to the Deputy's amendment, we do not believe that primary legislation is required but there is an opportunity to review the regulations.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (26 Feb 2015)

Damien English: Hopefully in April because the target is to have it completed by mid-April

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs Staffing (25 Feb 2015)

Damien English: I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline the position regarding the career break scheme for special needs assistants in recognised primary and post-primary schools.Special needs assistants, SNAs, are recruited specifically to assist in the care of pupils with disabilities in an educational context. They may be appointed to a special school...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs Staffing (25 Feb 2015)

Damien English: I will certainly examine the details to determine whether there is any advice that my Department can give. The Senator will appreciate that I do not know the case, but the logic is that one should not take a career break from the public sector to fill another position in the public sector. I am not sure if this is exactly what is at issue in the Senator's client's case, but that is how it seems.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs Staffing (25 Feb 2015)

Damien English: The scheme is right. It would not make much sense to fill a job in the public sector while on career break and holding the other job. Perhaps there is more in the story, as I am not familiar with it. By all means, I would love to see the details and go through the case. If we can give any advice or direction, we will do so.

Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (19 Feb 2015)

Damien English: I will bring all these issues to the Minister’s attention. Every Member wants to see this whole area changed. The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, has put forward recommendations for a new allocation model that will ensure resources will be allocated based on children’s needs and their level of need, not their category of disability. That is what the Minister for...

Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (19 Feb 2015)

Damien English: First, I relay the apologies of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan. While she had hoped to be present, the Deputy will appreciate that, on foot of the change of times, the debate clashed with something else and she is unable to be present. Consequently, I will make this statement on her behalf. I reiterate that she is sorry not to be present because this is an...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Data (19 Feb 2015)

Damien English: My Department's policies focus on ensuring that all children can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. A range of placement options for children with special educational needs is provided, in order to ensure that all children can receive a school placement. Many children with special...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Provision (19 Feb 2015)

Damien English: School transport arrangements under the Central/Closed School Rule originated from the last major amalgamation of schools in the late 1960's. Given the time lapse it is not feasible to provide copies of agreements, where they exist, reached between the Department and the School Authorities at the time of amalgamation. In any event, changes to my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Science Foundation Ireland Funding (18 Feb 2015)

Damien English: Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) is the national agency for funding excellent and impactful research and promoting the role of science, technology, engineering and maths in Ireland. Along with supporting competitive research in Ireland’s higher education institutions, SFI leverages industry partnerships and helps Irish researchers to access EU funding streams to ensure that Ireland...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 32 - Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (17 Feb 2015)

Damien English: I cannot repeat or stress often enough that innovation is at the heart of competitive advantage. If one looks at the companies that are engaged in innovation and research and development, the case is proven by the increase in exports and the creation of more jobs. Consecutive governments in the past 15 years have enjoyed success. Our aim is to continue to build on that. We invest...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 32 - Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (17 Feb 2015)

Damien English: The programme for research in third level institutions is coming to a natural end. The funding comes in blocks. The current block is nearly running out. Fewer than 18 projects are being finalised. Expenditure on students and PhDs is now regarded as capital expenditure as a result of a change in the accountancy rules. The programme in question is winding down naturally. Investment in...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 32 - Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (17 Feb 2015)

Damien English: In terms of personnel, the main aim is to get more collaborations. It will follow the 14 prioritisation areas we have identified. These are key areas for Ireland to build excellence in. The aim would be to have another 1,000 collaborations with industry and new industry over the year ahead through the various agencies, including Enterprise Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland and IDA...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 32 - Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (17 Feb 2015)

Damien English: It would have been nice to have fitted it in this year. I know this committee has had an active role in pursuing the matter. I think the Government has made the right decision in this area. We will have a local division of that as well. I think that has satisfied most of the concerns that were expressed at this committee over the years. The referendum has to be passed by the third...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 32 - Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (17 Feb 2015)

Damien English: It makes life easier.

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 32 - Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (17 Feb 2015)

Damien English: I wish to add to the comments of Deputy Conaghan. It seems more jobs are becoming available as well. There is an issue now in respect of ensuring we have the skills to fill all the jobs being created, now and in the months and years ahead. Under the Action Plan for Jobs, one of the indicators of performance is the national talent drive. This involves making sure we have a good deal of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (17 Feb 2015)

Damien English: Participants on full time training courses formerly delivered by FÁS and participants on Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme courses receive travel allowances, based on distance travelled to the course, where appropriate. These courses are now delivered by Education and Training Boards and funded by SOLAS.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Support Schemes (17 Feb 2015)

Damien English: 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 nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Children who are eligible for school transport pay an annual charge of €350 subject...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: European Globalisation Fund (17 Feb 2015)

Damien English: The Department submitted an application on 19 September 2014 to the European Commission for EU co-financing under the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) of a programme of labour market activation measures in support of 424 workers made redundant at the Lufthansa Technik Airmotive Ireland plant in Rathcoole, Co. Dublin and a number of ancillary enterprises. All 424 workers are...