Results 6,681-6,700 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

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

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 167 together. The person referred to by the Deputy was employed in a full time Special Needs Assistant (SNA) post until 31 August 2014. From that date, the post in question became surplus to the allocation of SNAs to the school and the SNA was deemed to be a member of the SNA Supplementary Assignment Panel. The person referred to, obtained a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Appointments (29 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I can confirm to the Deputy that no representations, writtten or oral form, were received by me, my special advisors or officials in my Department from the member in question seeking persons to be appointed to positions that fall under my remit since March 2011.

Seanad: Universities (Development and Innovation) (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (28 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Senator was also one of my lecturers.

Seanad: Universities (Development and Innovation) (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (28 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank Senator Barrett for the work and thought he has put into the drafting of his Bill. I also thank Senator Crown for his contribution and I look forward to hearing the contributions of Senators Quinn and Norris. One of the great advantages of having a debate in this House on universities is the fact that we have a considerable amount of expertise among the Senators who are elected...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Bullying in Schools (28 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: Homework journals are generally used by pupils every day and can therefore be a useful mechanism for schools to communicate important information to pupils in relation to matters such as anti-bullying, mental health and suicide prevention. However, my Department has not prescribed that schools must use such journals or that they should contain specific information. The Deputy may be aware...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Data Protection (28 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Department of Education and Skills has consulted with the Data Protection Commissioner in relation to the collection and retention of individual pupil information for the Primary Online Database in December 2013. They have stated that PPSN can now be collected by schools with the purpose being it is a requirement of the Primary Online Database. The ODPC were satisfied the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (28 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I wish to advise the Deputy that the project for the school, referred to, is being progressed into architectural planning and has been assigned for the appointment of a design team. As the Deputy will be aware, the school in question is one of a number of schools which it was not possible to include in the 5 Year construction programme. However the school project is being progressed to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (28 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I wish to advise the Deputy that the school in question has recently submitted an application for additional accommodation to my Department. The application will be assessed and a decision conveyed to the school authorities as soon as this process has been completed.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (28 Jan 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: Student Grant Scheme Administration (28 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: It is necessary that information regarding all income is accounted for when completing the grant application form. In this regard the assessment of means under my Department 's student grant scheme is based on the applicant's gross income from all sources and his/her parent(s)/legal guardian where applicable; with certain social welfare and health service executive payments being exempt. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Data (28 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Government decided in late 2012 that voluntary redundancy can be introduced in certain targeted sections of the public service where staff surpluses are identified by management and where redeployment is not suitable. The purpose of the scheme is to assist Government in implementing restructuring and reform in a strategic and targeted manner. In terms of my own Department, there is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Physical Education Facilities (28 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The specific information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I wish to assure the Deputy that my Department fully recognises the key role of physical exercise within the school environment and continues to respond to the need to improve PE facilities for all pupils attending schools within the constraints of the available funding. I also wish to advise the Deputy that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (28 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I can confirm to the Deputy that the schools in question have applied to my Department for significant funding to undertake major capital works. In this regard, my Department undertook a site visit to the schools and is currently considering the outcome of this visit. My Department expects to be in further contact with the schools regarding their application shortly.

Other Questions: Schools Building Contractors (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: All school building projects which are funded from public moneys, are required to use the forms of contract provided under the capital works management framework which includes a suite of public works contracts, standard conditions of engagement, model forms, suitability assessment questionnaires and guidance notes published by the Office of Government Procurement, OGP. As the Deputy is...

Other Questions: Schools Building Contractors (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I have engaged in discussions with Unite on that specific issue of the workers' rate of pay. The Deputy has provided a slightly simplistic way of describing it. In respect of the ongoing dispute at the site referred to by the Deputy, I understand that both parties have attended a Labour Court hearing, a construction industry disputes tribunal hearing and also a Labour Relations Commission...

Other Questions: Schools Building Contractors (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: That is absolutely the determination of my Department and the reason we report anything untoward to the various relevant authorities. On a point of clarification, the CAS audit is being continued. It is a full monitoring service for the duration of the contract. On the question of the pay rate of €5 an hour, I wish to clarify that this is not straightforward, direct employment,...

Other Questions: School Staffing (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: There is ongoing litigation between the teacher concerned and the Minister for Education and Skills and, accordingly, I am not in a position to comment. The Department of Education and Skills lodged its amended statement of defence on 4 September 2014. The Department carries out regular inspections but inspections can also be undertaken in specific circumstances. As part of its annual...

Other Questions: School Staffing (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I am not unsympathetic to the general philosophy behind the matter raised by Deputy Daly, but because there is ongoing legal action on the specific case, I cannot comment on it. In general, if concerns arise about behaviour in schools, the Department inspects and monitors the situation and will give undertakings, when necessary, in such cases.

Other Questions: School Staffing (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: In accordance with the Education Act 1998, teachers are employed by the school management authority of each individual school. In the case referred to by the Deputy, in 2009 the school management sought to dismiss the teacher concerned. The Maynooth statute provided that "a clerical manager shall not dismiss a teacher or assistant, male or female, or give notice of dismissal, until the...

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects Status (27 Jan 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I reiterate that it would not be appropriate for me to meet a delegation while the design process is still in train. I am sure Deputy McConalogue will raise the matter again when that process has been completed. The next school building programme is to commence in 2016. We are working on drawing up that programme at present. There are some schools with building projects that are ready...