Results 6,661-6,680 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Playgrounds (3 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The provision of playspace, where site conditions and circumstances allow, is one of the issues considered in the architectural design of new schools and major extensions. My Department's design guidelines for schools include guidance in the provision of P.E. Halls, general purpose rooms and outdoor hard play areas such as basketball courts. I wish to assure the Deputy that my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Primary Online Database (3 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Department has developed an individualised electronic database of primary school pupils (POD – the Primary Online Database). The primary purpose of POD will be to monitor the education progress of primary pupils (in DES aided schools), throughout the primary system and onwards to post primary level and to help them develop their full educational potential. Once up and running other...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (3 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: As the Deputy will be aware, as a result of planning permission for a new school building for the school in question being refused by An Bord Pleanála in 2012, the school authorities were requested to identify and prioritise the most urgent health and safety issues within the existing school building. The accommodation needs which emanated from that assessment were considered and in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (3 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has recently informed the Office of Public Works that they may lodge a planning application for the temporary accommodation required to facilitate the decant of the school in question.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Broadband Service Provision (3 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: Under the Schools Broadband Access Programme, my Department provides for the supply of internet connectivity for all recognised primary schools. A framework involving more providers was put in place in 2012 which ensures that improved solutions are available to schools. The Department is continually working with providers to ensure that where possible improved services are made available to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (3 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: In 2011/2012 an extension refurbishment programme was carried out at the school referred to by the Deputy at a cost of circa €4.8m. As part of these works a new single storey P.E. Hall with ancillary accommodation including toilets, changing rooms, stores, offices and a first floor viewing balcony was provided. The works also included the provision of an all-weather pitch.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (3 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: An application in relation to the proposed amalgamation of schools referred to by the Deputy has recently being received by my Department. This proposal is currently under consideration and officials from my Department will be in contact with the Management Authority of the schools concerned shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (3 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: In 2012 a public service-wide review of allowances was carried out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. As a result of the review, qualification allowances were abolished with effect from 1 February 2012. Department of Education and Skills Circular 0008/2013 outlines the effect of this decision on teachers. In Paragraph 12 of Circular 0008/2013 an exception is made in the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Programmes (3 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The evaluation framework for Springboard provides for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of outputs. Reports published by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to date provide information on the number and profile of participants, number of awards granted, and employment outcomes. Overall, feedback on Springboard is very positive: 40% of the 2012/13 graduates were in employment/self-employment...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Contractors (3 Feb 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The numbers provided to the Deputy on 20 January 2015 in respect of direct and indirect jobs supported within the School Building Programme through the delivery of Large Scale Projects, the Additional Accommodation Scheme and the Prefab Replacement Scheme were calculated on the basis of the Construction Industry Council norm which advises that there are 10 direct jobs and 2 indirect jobs for...

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: It is somewhat important in trying to save money.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Youth Unemployment Measures (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: As part of the Government's Action Plan for Jobs initiative my predecessor appointed an independent group to carry out a review of the Irish Apprenticeship system to determine whether the current model should be retained, adapted or replaced. The first stage of the review process involved the preparation of a background issues paper. and part of the process involved an examination of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy, is currently completing the advanced stage of Architectural Planning, Stage 2b – Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of Tender Documents. All relevant statutory approvals have been obtained. The school and its design team...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Bullying in Schools (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Deputy will be aware that my Department published new anti-bullying procedures for all primary and post primary schools at the beginning of the 2013/14 school year. These procedures are designed to give direction and guidance to school authorities and school personnel in preventing and tackling school-based bullying behaviour amongst its pupils. The procedures recognise that parents...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The majority of support for pre-school provision is funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. My Department's role is to work in partnership with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to improve the quality of pre-school provision. As part of this cross-Departmental work, there is a commitment in 'Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the Children and Young People's Policy...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Placement (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department's policy focuses on ensuring that all children with special educational needs can have access to an education appropriate to their needs and abilities. A range of placement options for pupils with special educational needs is provided, in order to ensure that all pupils can receive a school placement. Many pupils with special educational...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Tuition Scheme (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: In recent years my Department has approved a number of group arrangements with private pre-school providers in respect of children who are eligible for and who have received approval for tuition under the Home Tuition Scheme. My Department is in receipt of the proposal to which the Deputy has referred. My officials have been in contact with the group and are arranging a meeting to discuss...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Placement (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Educational Welfare Services (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The EWS may be able to offer assistance and advice on securing a school placement within the pupil's area. The contact details for the EWS Child and Family Agency Head Office, 16-22 Green Street,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The means test arrangements of the Student Grant Scheme are applied nationally on the same basis to both employed and self-employed applicants. Gross income before the deduction of income tax or universal social charge, is assessed with certain specified social welfare and health service executive payments excluded. Therefore, the assessment of income from the same starting point is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Refurbishment (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I wish to advise the Deputy that a building project to provide an extension to the school in question is currently at Stage 2A of the architectural planning process. The Patron Body and their Design Team are finalising the Stage 2A report for presentation to my Department. Upon completion of this presentation and submission of the report to my Department and subject to no issues arising,...