Results 5,781-5,800 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Appointments (19 Feb 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 306 to 308, inclusive, together. Details of Membership of Boards and appointment dates can be downloaded from my Department's website, this information is updated when any relevant changes occur. http://www.education.ie. In accordance with Government policy, expressions of interest have been sought through the Public Appointments Service (PAS) from suitably...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (19 Feb 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The child referred to by the Deputy will be assessed by a Psychologist nominated by the National Educational Psychological Service. My Department will provide home tuition on an interim basis pending the completion of that assessment and a decision about the child's placement in school.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Higher Education Institutions (19 Feb 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 310 and 311 together. I have accepted the recommendations set out in a report commissioned by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on the structures of initial teacher education. The purpose of the report was to identify possible new structures to improve initial teacher education in Ireland so that it is comparable with the best in the world. The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Irish Language (19 Feb 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: In primary and post-primary schools recognised by my Department the study of Irish is compulsory however, there are certain limited circumstances whereby an exemption from the study of Irish may be granted. In this regard my Department's Circular M10/94 for pupils attending post-primary schools outlines the circumstances whereby an exemption from the study of Irish may be granted. Under the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Support Schemes (19 Feb 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise, due to their financial circumstances, be unable to continue their third level studies. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (19 Feb 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Persons in receipt of the supplementary welfare allowance may apply for a student grant. Assuming that students satisfy all of the relevant terms and conditions of the student grant scheme, eligible students on this payment qualify for the standard rate of grant. Tuition fees and the student contribution are also paid on their behalf where these arise. The supplementary welfare allowance...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (19 Feb 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The delivery of a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school referred to by the Deputy has been devolved to Co. Dublin VEC. The project is in Architectural Planning and is expected to become available for September 2014. The VEC have advised that they expect to be in a position to take a maximum of 120 1st year pupils for September 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Issues (19 Feb 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The State examinations currently operate within the tightest of timeframes and to maximum capacity. For the 2012 examinations the State Examinations Commission processed 1.9 million individual component results leading to 980,000 subject grades which were awarded to 115,000 candidates. In 2012 the Junior Certificate results were issued on Wednesday 12th September some four weeks after the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (19 Feb 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: In relation to Transition Year work experience there are a number of models currently in use by schools. I am aware that a number of schools have changed work experience from a one or two week block release to one day a week for the year. This is a considered response to local needs. Schools are free to interpret the TY Guidelines themselves and to provide their own unique programme for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Incidence (19 Feb 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions 319 and 320 together. I previously advised the Deputy that the NCSE developed estimates on the prevalence of special educational needs as part of its process to advise the Minister on the implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN), Act 2004. The Council estimated at that time that up to 18% of the school going...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (19 Feb 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that the student referred to by the Deputy is a postgraduate student and he has been awarded a fee grant in accordance with the terms and conditions of the student grant scheme. An award letter issued to the student in this regard on 6th February 2013. Fee grants are paid directly to institutions on students'...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Value for Money Reviews (19 Feb 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The value for money review of small primary school provision is at an advanced stage of preparation. I expect to publish the review and I look forward to debating its findings at that stage.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (19 Feb 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will be aware that a dedicated capital assets test implementation group was established to bring forward detailed implementation proposals on new means testing arrangements for student grants, to include the value of assets. I have received a draft report from the implementation group. This is currently under consideration and I will be consulting further with my cabinet...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (19 Feb 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy will be aware in June 2011, I announced that up to 40 new schools are to be established up to 2017 to cater for increasing demographics across a number of locations. These consisted of twenty new primary schools and twenty new post-primary schools. This announcement did not include a proposal to establish any new second level school in the Dublin north city area. The Forward...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (19 Feb 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: In primary and post-primary schools recognised by my Department the study of Irish is compulsory however, there are certain limited circumstances whereby an exemption from the study of Irish may be granted. In this regard my Department's Circular 12/96 for pupils attending recognised primary schools outlines the circumstances whereby an exemption from the study of Irish may be granted. Under...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (19 Feb 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy will be aware, under my Departments free fees scheme eligible full-time undergraduate students have their tuition fees paid on their behalf by the Exchequer. The student contribution, which is currently €2,250 per academic year, is payable by students who qualify under the free fees scheme. Students who qualify under my Department's student grant scheme have the student...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Refurbishment (19 Feb 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme for the erection of railings on the boundary wall in July 2012. This application was refused as the scope of works for which funding was sought was outside the terms of the scheme. This decision was appealed and the school authority were informed that the project still...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Management (19 Feb 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: In accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the appointment of a Board of Management of a school is a matter for the relevant school patron. Under the provisions of this Act, where a Patron determines that the appointment of a Board is not practicable, or where the Patron, with the consent of the Minister, has dissolved a Board of Management, the Patron may appoint a manager...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (19 Feb 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: I can confirm for the Deputy that my Department has received an application for additional accommodation from the school to which he refers. The application is currently being assessed and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as this process has been completed.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staffing (19 Feb 2013)

Ruairi Quinn: Access to the profession of teaching in recognised schools in Ireland is regulated. The Teaching Council is the designated authority for the regulation of the profession. Section 7(2)(f) and Section 7(2)(g) of the Teaching Council Act 2001 were commenced on 1 September 2012, conferring responsibility for induction and probation procedures to the Teaching Council. The Council requires that...