Results 5,641-5,660 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Topical Issue Debate: Mortgage Arrears Rate (18 Dec 2014)

Damien English: There is a helpline.

Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects Administration (18 Dec 2014)

Damien English: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline the process used to ensure that there will be adequate accommodation in schools at primary and post-primary levels to meet the demographic needs arising. The forward planning section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may...

Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects Administration (18 Dec 2014)

Damien English: I cannot give the Deputy all of the information he requested but I will raise the issues directly. The plan is that construction will proceed before the end of 2015. This means the temporary accommodation will have to be addressed in September but there is a drive to begin construction in 2015 and I presume the project will be completed in 2016. It was in the five year plan and I can...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: SOLAS Administration (18 Dec 2014)

Damien English: The transfer of assets and liabilities from SOLAS to the Education and Training Boards is covered by legislation. The fixed asset buildings of SOLAS including their contents were transferred to the Education and Training Boards by Ministerial Order as provided for in the Further Education and Training Act 2013. A full list of assets and liabilities was provided to each Education and Training...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Innovation and Technology Programmes (17 Dec 2014)

Damien English: My Department, and the relevant State Agencies under its remit, have a clear focus on the role of innovation as a key driver of business success and growth. Enterprise Ireland, IDA and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), provide a range of innovation and technology development programmes that deliver financial, technical and experiential support. These programmes help companies become more...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Research and Development Supports (17 Dec 2014)

Damien English: Investment in Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) is a key economic differentiator which can support Irish companies of all scales to adapt to, and excel in a global market which in turn leads to increased exports and jobs. As a result the Government considers that it is critical that Irish companies are supported to engage in RD&I. National statistics show that...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Science and Technology Groups (16 Dec 2014)

Damien English: Since Ireland joined the European Space Agency (ESA) in 1975, Irish industry and research groups have been at the heart of Europe’s space missions building a reputation as providers of innovative technologies for use in the European space programme. My Department, in association with Enterprise Ireland, supports Irish companies to bid on ESA development contracts and to exploit the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Innovation Vouchers Initiative (16 Dec 2014)

Damien English: The Enterprise Ireland Innovation Voucher Initiative was established in 2007 in order to drive an ongoing innovation cultural shift within small enterprise by promoting and encouraging a transfer of knowledge between Ireland's public knowledge providers and the small business community and creating greater synergies between the two. This scheme provides small companies access to the sources...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Provision (16 Dec 2014)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 454 and 546 together. Bus Éireann is responsible for the day to day operation of my Department's School Transport Scheme. Bus Éireann has advised that the information requested by the Deputy in relation to school transport routes operated by the Company is not readily available on a per county basis. If the Deputy has a particular county in mind...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Youthreach Programme (16 Dec 2014)

Damien English: Youthreach and CTCs cater for learners aged 15 to 25. Statistical returns forwarded by ETBs to my Department show that 1,854 participants commenced a Youthreach programme in 2013. SOLAS reports that 1,480 participants commenced a Community Training Centre course in 2013.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (16 Dec 2014)

Damien English: The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) provides courses of up to two years duration for people who are 21 years of age or over, and who are at least six months unemployed. The end of year annual survey conducted by ETBs showed that on 31 December 2013 there were 5,649 participants on VTOS with 1,040 of these under 25. Further details on the number of those under 25 who enrolled...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: SOLAS Training and Education Programmes Provision (16 Dec 2014)

Damien English: The procurement process for this programme was undertaken by SOLAS prior to the transfer of responsibilities to the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, however this matter is now an operational matter for that ETB. I understand that the company in question won the delivery of the Sports Recreation and Exercise Course in Ennis following a competitive tendering process. Pool...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Provision (16 Dec 2014)

Damien English: Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes. School transport is provided on the basis of a coordinated school calendar, agreed amongst schools that rely on the same network of bus services. My Department is reviewing the services in question with Bus Éireann and will...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Provision (16 Dec 2014)

Damien English: The Deputy will be aware that under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for 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. Bus Éireann which operates the school transport scheme on...

Seanad: Intellectual Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2014)

Damien English: This is a very friendly House, I must come here more often. I thank the Senators and they are right in saying that this legislation is an addition to our offering to companies who want to locate here. We are at a slight disadvantage to other countries as well, which this corrects.

Seanad: Intellectual Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2014)

Damien English: I want to address a number of issues that were raised on Tuesday. We are all a little rushed here and I did not have time to go through them all. First, I want to thank everyone for their co-operation on this Bill. The changes are modest but it is an important Bill. It is important that our IP regime is correct because it is of major benefit to us in terms of job creation and winning new...

Seanad: Intellectual Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2014)

Damien English: I thank the Senator for the proposed amendment and I understand the intent that lies behind the common good proposal to allow for the possibility of interference with intellectual property rights enjoyed by individuals and corporate entities in pursuit of the common good. We had a good discussion about that on Committee Stage and also on the floor of the Dáil with the Senator's...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Social Welfare Payments Administration (11 Dec 2014)

Damien English: This is an operational matter for the Kerry Education and Training Board and I have asked them to contact the Deputy directly to clarify the position.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Information and Communications Technology (10 Dec 2014)

Damien English: I agree with Senator Power and it is something we have to make progress on. Having spoken to the Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, about this, I know that she wants to make inroads concerning this matter. It does not add up and is not right. We know what the cause is so we have to work on it. Hopefully we will see some changes in that regard. I thank the Senator for raising these issues...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: School Funding (10 Dec 2014)

Damien English: I will certainly also raise the Senator's concerns with the Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan. As the Senator knows, she met with Educate Together representatives yesterday. Perhaps at the Senator's follow up meeting, he can discuss that with them also. Any Minister starting in the Department of Education and Skills realises that it is a question of doing a great deal with very little. We...