Results 6,981-7,000 of 8,600 for speaker:Seán Crowe

Written Answers — Child Support: Child Support (29 Feb 2012)

Seán Crowe: Question 135: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the future role of child income supports under the proposal to roll out a single working age payment system in the social welfare system. [10026/12]

Education (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (29 Feb 2012)

Seán Crowe: I am conscious that some people may be watching this debate at home and if they are not asleep, they certainly will be after my speech.

Education (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (29 Feb 2012)

Seán Crowe: It is a fairly technical Bill and the only way to deal with is by going through it section by section. The Bill paves the way for the commencement of section 30 of the Teaching Council Act, which when enacted will effectively mean that all teachers in State-recognised schools whose salaries are funded by the Department of Education and Skills must be registered with the Teaching Council. It...

Education (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (29 Feb 2012)

Seán Crowe: Some of those would be teachers coming out of retirement. People at home listening to this might be concerned about their loved ones in that regard. The Minister said he accepted the Seanad amendment proposed by Senator Power relating to unregistered teachers and Garda vetting, which makes sense. We need to work out how that can be processed in a speedy manner. Even the previous...

Education (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (29 Feb 2012)

Seán Crowe: Recently, I raised the issue of the changes at Question Time, particularly those that affect programmes like Breaking the Cycle and the pupil teacher ratio of 15:1 for disadvantaged schools. The Minister said originally that the ratio might be moved to 18:1, but the website shows it is moving to 20:1. Will the Minister come back to me on that issue? The big concern is that if the ratio...

Education (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (29 Feb 2012)

Seán Crowe: I am aware of that, but I mention this school as an example, and there are probably others like it. This is an issue that must be examined. The Bill brings much positive change and most of us are broadly in favour of the changes being made. I suppose some parts of the Bill will be tweaked and perhaps we can go through the issues on Committee Stage when dealing with amendments and perhaps we...

State Assets: Motion (28 Feb 2012)

Seán Crowe: No, we want to replace the Government.

State Assets: Motion (28 Feb 2012)

Seán Crowe: The Minister keeps on asking us questions.

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (28 Feb 2012)

Seán Crowe: Question 196: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students with visual impairments who study Irish at primary level and at second level; the number with visual impairments who study Irish at junior cycle and senior cycle at second level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10888/12]

State Assets: Motion (28 Feb 2012)

Seán Crowe: Speaking in support of this motion it is important we are mindful that the sale of State assets is an integral part of Fine Gael policy. Now, unfortunately, we know that Labour Party is on the privatisation bandwagon, despite its election promises and commitments to keep State assets in public ownership. That is a sad position for the Labour Party to adapt. We know the Government plans to...

Legislative Programme (23 Feb 2012)

Seán Crowe: Have there been developments on the fund? The Minister mentioned he would like to see an increase in the amount made available. While many survivors are part of groups, others are not. What happened to the people concerned was an abuse of power. They now believe that we, in the decisions we are making that will affect their lives, are once again taking power from them. The Minister has...

Higher Education Funding (23 Feb 2012)

Seán Crowe: It is welcome that the Minister has met the different groups, as a strategic approach must be taken in this regard. However, supports are needed. For example, there has been an increase of 30% in the number of students entering the Institute of Technology Tallaght, which is located beside many empty properties under the control of NAMA, and there should be joined-up government in respect of...

Schools Amalgamation (23 Feb 2012)

Seán Crowe: The school itself has been open since 1903. The management sees a difficulty arising next year rather than this year. I presume it has an idea about the pupil numbers in that school for next year, which is why it is concerned about losing that second teacher. The school has already been amalgamated and 27 out of the 31 Protestant schools in Donegal are all facing this. That is replicated...

Schools Amalgamation (23 Feb 2012)

Seán Crowe: We also need to look at how other jurisdictions deal with it. It has to be about education outcomes for children within those schools. It cannot be on budgetary issues alone. It must be about transport links, community links, a suitable premises and so on. The problem is that we have already had an amalgamation here. Representatives from another school in Ardara came to me and told me...

Written Answers — Expenditure Reviews: Expenditure Reviews (23 Feb 2012)

Seán Crowe: Question 35: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way that he justifies the suspension of allowances for newly qualified teachers; and his views that this will deter many from entering the teaching profession. [10039/12]

Written Answers — Garda Vetting of Personnel: Garda Vetting of Personnel (23 Feb 2012)

Seán Crowe: Question 89: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the numbers of teaching personnel waiting to be cleared by the Garda Vetting Unit; the estimated time for when the backlog is due to be cleared; the additional resources, if any, that are being allocated to ensure the swift vetting of teachers; and if delays in the vetting process are preventing teaching posts...

Disadvantaged Status (23 Feb 2012)

Seán Crowe: Question 2: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a mechanism in place to enable schools that have experienced demographic changes combined with unemployment and increased socio economic deprivation levels within the school's catchment area to be designated a new DEIS school; if he will confirm the date when the review into DEIS schools is to be completed and published;...

Disadvantaged Status (23 Feb 2012)

Seán Crowe: The question may seem a little historical as I did not know when the report was to be published. We all know the reasons DEIS was introduced, namely, to try to target and break down some of the barriers for children through the introduction of certain measures. The point of my question, which follows on from the Minister's point on additional resources, is that I am aware of schools which,...

Disadvantaged Status (23 Feb 2012)

Seán Crowe: I welcome that. Things have moved on in regard to the economic situation of the country. While this might frighten the life out of some schools, it needs to be considered. With regard to the review of DEIS, particularly in regard to Breaking the Cycle, the Minister originally talked in terms of a pupil-teacher ratio of 15:1 and then 18:1, whereas the Department's website refers to 20:1....

Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Seán Crowe: Is this new Labour?