Results 6,381-6,400 of 8,015 for speaker:Jonathan O'Brien

Other Questions: Bullying in Schools (7 Mar 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: It is a welcome initiative. If we are serious about the issue we need to look at section 37, which I presume the Department is doing. Has the Minister any plans to bring forward legislation to correct that situation?

Other Questions: Bullying in Schools (7 Mar 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: Does the Minister expect it to progress and that it will get the support of the Government?

Other Questions: Teaching Contracts (7 Mar 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: I am sure the Minister will agree that the casualisation of work practices in the teaching profession is having a demoralising effect on newly qualified teachers. It is clear from OECD figures that about 73% of Irish post-primary teachers are in permanent positions compared to Denmark where the percentage is in the mid 90s. It is estimated that about 27% of teachers are on a contract basis....

Other Questions: EPSEN Act 2004 (7 Mar 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: Depending on to whom one speakers the cost of full implementation of the EPSEN Act ranges from €235 million to €500 million. The first thing we need to do is determine the real cost. In terms of the services currently being provided, I do not believe there is sufficient co-operation between the Departments of Education and Skills and Health in this regard. The HSE is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Departmental Staff (7 Mar 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the delay in introducing legislation to ensure unemployed teachers get priority for available teaching posts has led to a situation in which in December 2012, 22 out of 104 retired primary teachers employed in schools were on long-term contracts and that 82 retired teachers were employed as short-term substitutes; and if he will make a statement...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Departmental Staff (7 Mar 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: While 153 retired teachers is a small number relative to the overall amount, given the number of newly qualified teachers who are struggling to find work, it is unacceptable that the circular issued by the Department is being flouted by so many schools. It is up to the schools to employ the teachers, but when the Department issues a circular instructing that priority must be given to newly...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Departmental Staff (7 Mar 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: Was the third reason location?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: School Staffing (7 Mar 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied to allow primary school classes to double up to numbers in excess of 40 children per classroom, in order that teachers can, as mandated by Croke Park 2, cover for colleagues who are on certified sick leave because substitution is no longer permitted. [12113/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: School Staffing (7 Mar 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: I take on board that it is now a matter for the unions to decide whether they accept the proposals, but does the Minister think it is satisfactory that, because the first day of sick leave absence will not be covered by a substitute, we could have class sizes of up to 40 students? I am not asking the Minister to comment on the proposals in the agreement. I am asking for his opinion as...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: School Staffing (7 Mar 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: The proposal is that for the first day of sick leave, there will be no substitution and classes may have to double up in schools.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Drop-out Rates (7 Mar 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will list in tabular form, on a county by county basis, the number of students who have dropped out of third level courses in the 2012-13 academic year up until the end of February 2013 and the way these figures compare to the same time last year. [11745/13]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Literacy Levels (7 Mar 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the finding of two studies (details supplied) which showed primary school children in the six counties came sixth in numeracy and fifth in literacy, the highest rating of any English speaking country in the world; his views on whether this success can be attributed to the 48 per cent rise in per capita education funding in the North...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Education Budget: Discussion with Minister for Education and Skills (6 Mar 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: Is there anything the Minister can do proactively to ensure that happens?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Education Budget: Discussion with Minister for Education and Skills (6 Mar 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: Is there a timeframe on that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Education Budget: Discussion with Minister for Education and Skills (6 Mar 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: I will get on to Ted Owens.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Education Budget: Discussion with Minister for Education and Skills (6 Mar 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: When will it be put in place?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Education Budget: Discussion with Minister for Education and Skills (6 Mar 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: School uniforms is an issue that comes up regularly. I know it is not directly a budgetary issue but why is there a reluctance to engage with boards of management and patrons on this matter? For example, one must buy uniforms for a school in my community from one particular retailer. One does not have a choice and it costs an arm and a leg. It creates so much hardship for families leading...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Education Budget: Discussion with Minister for Education and Skills (6 Mar 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: While Deputy McConalogue has covered most points, I will raise one or two more. The minor works grant has been put to one side because of financial pressures, which, as I have stated previously, is an extremely short-sighted measure because schools that use this type of grant to maintain their properties will fall into greater disrepair and it will cost more in the long run. I ask the...

Other Questions: Domestic Violence Refuges (6 Mar 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is an Executive Office under the aegis of his Department which provides a co-ordinated whole of Government response to violence against women and domestic violence; and if he will provide an update on their work. [11557/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Poverty Issues: Discussion with European Anti-Poverty Network (6 Mar 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: One of the big increases in those trying to access housing is those whose marriages have broken down. Separated men with children find it almost impossible to get council housing to accommodate the needs of their children. They apply for council housing but because their children might already be housed in a council house with their mother they are not allowed to include the children as...