Results 6,721-6,740 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Site Acquisitions (29 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The acquisition of the site to which the Deputy refers is currently at pre-contract stage. My Department, through the Chief State Solicitor's Office, is currently working with the Solicitors acting on behalf of the Sisters of Mercy on the legal procedures and mechanisms required to facilitate the transfer of the lands to the Minister. I can confirm to the Deputy that the project is listed...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (28 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 88, 89 and 92 together. The Education and Training Boards Bill was published on 5 October 2012 and completed Second Stage in Dáil Éireann on 17 October 2012. Following completion of Second Stage, the Bill has been referred to the Select Sub-committee on Education and Skills. The Bill provides for 18 person boards consisting of 10 local authority...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (28 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department recently carried out parental surveys on primary school patronage in five pilot areas, namely Arklow, Castlebar, Tramore, Trim and Whitehall (including Beaumont and Kilmore West). My Department is preparing a detailed report on the surveys which will be reviewed by the New Schools Establishment Group. When the analysis is finalised, and drawing on feedback from the patron...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (28 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy will be aware, in June of last year, I announced that 20 new primary schools would be established up to 2017 to meet increasing demographics. At that time I also announced new arrangements for the recognition and determination of patronage of new primary and post-primary schools. The new arrangements provide a balanced approach to allow applications to be made by prospective...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (28 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy a grant has been awarded and an award letter issued on 27th November, 2012.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (28 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that supporting documentation was received from the student referred to by the Deputy and his application will be reviewed shortly. SUSI will contact the student directly in relation to the outcome.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (28 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy a grant has been awarded and an award letter issued on 9th October, 2012.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Vocational Education Committees (28 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The information provided to the Deputy in reply to Parliamentary Question 78 of 24 May 2012 was obtained from the annual accounts of Co Cork Vocational Education Committee for the relevant years. Although the audited accounts for 2011 are not yet available, the VEC has separately informed my Department that the total amount spent on legal costs in 2011 was €52,899.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (28 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy a decision has now been made and a letter will issue shortly directly to the student outlining the position.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (28 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: In addition to the student grant, support is also available to students under the Student Assistance Fund which assists students in third-level institutions in exceptional financial need. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. The Access Officers themselves will also continue to provide support and advice to students to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (28 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that in the case of the first student referred to by the Deputy a grant has been awarded and an award letter issued on 26th November, 2012. In the case of the second student referred to by the Deputy a decision has now been made and a letter will issue shortly directly to the student...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Placement (28 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of schools that are not in a position to admit all pupils seeking entry to implement an...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Appeals (28 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I understand that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy, his student grant application was unsuccessful and that he appealed the decision to the appeals officer in the relevant grant awarding authority and their original decision was upheld. The student subsequently appealed the decision to my Department and the appeal was reviewed. On the basis of the details supplied...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (28 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that the grant application of the student referred to by the Deputy is currently under review with SUSI. The student will be notified by SUSI directly of the outcome.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Training (28 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: 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 international panel of education experts recommended that teacher...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (28 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The State Examinations Commission (SEC) is a statutory body established in 2003 under section 54 of the Education Act, 1998. The functions of the SEC are defined in the State Examinations Commission (Establishment) Order, 2003 and are to provide a high-quality state examinations and assessment system incorporating the highest standards of openness, fairness and accountability. As part of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Physical Education (28 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Physical education (P.E.) is included in the curriculum at primary level and it also forms part of the Junior Certificate at post primary level. At primary level, the P.E. curriculum includes six broad strands comprising Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics, Games, Outdoor and adventure activities and Aquatics. A minimum of one hour of P.E. per week is recommended for all primary school pupils. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Tuition Scheme (28 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: A revised circular relating to operational elements of the home tuition scheme is due to issue from my Department shortly. As previously advised the eligibility criteria for home tuition remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Adviser Pay (28 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: In accordance with the revised conditions for Ministerial Appointments as published by the Department of Finance on the 24th, March 2011, I appointed 2 special advisers at my Department. Their respective salaries are €92,672 and €86,604 per annum. As provided for under the terms of the Ethics in Public Office Acts copies of the appointees' contracts of employment together with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (28 Nov 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: At this point I do not propose to give any specific commitment on the allocation of teachers to schools for the 2013/14 school year. The number of teaching posts that we can afford to fund in schools is a matter that I will have to consider with my colleagues in Cabinet in the context of the next budget. The Government will endeavour to protect front-line education services as best as...