Results 6,361-6,380 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (24 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 550 and 552 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Site Acquisitions (24 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Department did not complete the purchase of land in the area referred to by the Deputy. The acquisition of this site was subject to planning permission being obtained. Contracts were rescinded on the basis that, subsequent to an appeal to An Bord Pleanála, planning permission was not granted.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Community Employment Schemes Operation (24 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I understand that this query relates to a Community Employment (CE) project which is funded by the Department of Social Protection and managed by the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB). I have asked the CDETB to contact the Deputy directly to clarify the position, however it is a matter for the Department of Social Protection to consider the allocation of places within the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (24 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. The enrolment policy must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. This Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions Entry Requirements (24 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a college and university admissions scheme which offers places on reduced points and extra college support to school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The scheme is operated by a number of higher education institutions and not by my Department. Admissions to the institutions are regulated by the institutions themselves....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Planning Issues (24 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The building referred to by the Deputy is not in my ownership. Queries in relation to the restoration of the building are a matter for the building owner. Statutory responsibility for the enforcement of the planning and other relevant legislation with regard to works to this property falls within the remit of the local authority.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (24 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I wish to advise the Deputy that under the existing allocation system, all pupils with Down syndrome, including such pupils with mild general learning difficulties, currently are entitled to receive additional teaching support. Such support is provided either from a school's allocation of Learning Support or Resource Teaching under the General Allocation Model (GAM), or from an allocation of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (24 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides an extensive range of supports for pupils with Specific Speech and Language Disorder (SSLD). This includes provision for the establishment of special classes for pupils with SSLD in primary schools. The criteria for enrolment in a Special Class for pupils with SSLD is set out in my Department's Circular 0038/2007. The National...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (24 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Exchequer provides free fees funding in respect of eligible students who are pursuing full-time undergraduate courses of study under my Department's Free Fees Initiative. The main conditions of the scheme are that students must be first-time undergraduates, hold inter alia EU/EEA/Swiss nationality in their own right, and have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (24 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department and its agencies are currently implementing the first phase of the Apprenticeship Implementation Plan, focused on several actions including the establishment of an Apprenticeship Council to develop and issue a call for proposals to industry for apprenticeships in new sectors. This call for proposals is under way and I expect a report from the Council in the second quarter of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff (24 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I am not aware of any proposal being considered by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform to introduce name badges for Civil Servants whose official functions entail direct dealings with members of the public and it is not something I am considering for staff at my Department. It is my Department's policy that all officials when dealing with members of the public over the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (19 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank Senator Healy Eames for raising this matter. I met earlier this morning with a group of parents from Down Syndrome Ireland on this issue. It is something I am conscious of and I know the Senator has described some of the issues well. Under the existing system, all pupils with Down syndrome, including those in the mild range, are entitled to receive additional teaching support...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (19 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I will be meeting more parents next week. In fairness to the NCSE, it worked on and devised a new model, which is under consideration. Unfortunately, we do not have enough consultation and information, specifically around the complex needs area-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (19 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: -----to implement it next September. That does not mean it will not be implemented. A lot of work has gone into it and I know Down Syndrome Ireland is positively disposed towards what is proposed in the new model. As I said, I am looking at the issue currently and I will keep the Senator informed.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Student Assistance Fund (19 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank Senator Power for raising this important matter, which I have been discussing with the president of the USI in recent weeks. The objective of the student assistance fund, which was established in 1994, is to assist, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, students who might otherwise, as a result of financial reasons, suffer severe hardship or be unable to continue with their third...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Student Assistance Fund (19 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The way in which this has been set up means that the moneys for both funds emanate from the same source. As stated, I am engaging with both the USI and the HEA in respect of this matter. The amount of money in the pot for this year is fixed. I am willing to explore with both organisations ways in which we might make progress on this matter, particularly in the context of the next academic...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (19 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: As part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Designation (19 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: As the school referred to by the Deputy is accessible by road, it does not qualify therefore to be categorised as an "island" school.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Physical Education Facilities (19 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Deputy will be aware that the Department has already provided significant P.E. facilities at the newly constructed primary and post-primary schools at the educational campus of the school referred to in County Meath. Two General Purpose rooms, three external Ball courts and two Junior Play areas were provided at the new primary school. In addition, a P.E. hall and six External Hard...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Quality and Qualifications Ireland Accreditation (19 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I wish to inform the Deputy that the individual in question has been in direct contact with my Department and Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) about this issue. A letter of reply providing advice and information on the options available to the individual in relation to the recognition of prior learning was sent on 16th February 2015.