Results 7,361-7,380 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (27 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department is currently examining the extent and location of additional post-primary places that will be needed on a nationwide basis from 2017 onwards. This process includes an examination of the Firhouse area, Dublin 24. When this exercise has been completed, arrangements will be made to make additional accommodation available where it is needed.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (27 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I wish to advise the Deputy that planning permission has been granted by the Local Authority for the major building project for the school in question. However, a 3rd party appeal on the planning application was lodged with an Bord Pleanála in late September of this year. My Departments design team has made a submission to An Bord Pleanála in response to the appeal. The decision...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (27 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: As the Deputy is aware, a building project for the school in question is included on my Department's Five Year Construction Plan to proceed to construction in 2014/2015. I can advise the Deputy that my Department, working in conjunction with the local authority, is in the process of identifying possible suitable sites to facilitate this building project. However, whilst negotiations...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staffing (27 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts for the 2014/2015 school year is set out in the Staffing Schedule (Circular 0007/2014) which is available on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Site Acquisitions (27 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The school to which the Deputy refers is to be delivered as part of the Schools Bundle 5 PPP project. This bundle comprises one primary school, four post primary schools and one Institute of Further Education. The site acquisition process for the school in question is underway, however, due to commercial sensitivities associated with property acquisitions generally, I am unable to provide...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Minor Works Scheme Restoration (27 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I announced earlier this week the payment of the Minor Works Grant 2014/2015. The grant will issue to all primary schools with permanent recognition next week.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (27 Nov 2014)

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: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (27 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 182 together. The Government's approach to restoring the economy has helped Ireland to return to a position where we are seeing economic growth. It is a continuing improvement in our economic growth over a sustained period that will enable us to move to a point where we can look again at providing for additional teacher resources in schools which...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (27 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 179, 180 and 187 together. The policy of my Department is that children with special educational needs, including children with autism and ADHD should be included where possible and appropriate in mainstream placements with additional supports provided. In circumstances where children with special educational need require more specialised interventions,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (27 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I am mindful of the concerns of smaller schools and rural schools. Our overall primary school enrolment has been growing rapidly in recent years and this is going to continue. In managing the resource consequences of this, it is important that decisions on school provision and organisation are based on a rigorous evaluation of requirements and needs, not just at a local level but also at...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Bullying in Schools (27 Nov 2014)

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. They place a strong focus on education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (27 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department has approximately 1,000 applications on hand from primary and post primary schools for major capital works. As the Deputy will be aware, the Five Year Construction Plan that was announced in March 2012 as part of the Department's €2 billion capital investment programme, outlines the major school projects that are scheduled to commence construction over the duration of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further Education and Training Programmes Provision (27 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department has a number of strategies and initiatives in place to ensure that further education and training meets the skills requirements of the workplace. SOLAS with the assistance of relevant experts such as the ESRI, employers and local and national organisations have published a five year strategy for the further education and training sector which provides us with a strategic roadmap...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Expenditure (27 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: This Government has sought, against the continuing challenging economic backdrop, to protect education spending and maintain frontline education services as far as possible, including targeting support at schools in those areas with the most concentrated levels of educational disadvantage.We have a growing population of young people in this country and despite the difficult financial...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Representations (27 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: In order to be considered for a grant, a student must be pursuing an approved course in an approved institution. An approved course is defined in Section 8 of the Student Support Act 2011 and in Regulation 4 of the Student Support Regulations 2014. In Part B, Schedule 2 of the Student Support Regulations 2014, the Professional Practice Course (PPC) Part I and II is the only course...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Administration (27 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: As the Deputy is aware, my Department's over-riding objective is to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers. To ensure that this is achieved, the delivery of major school projects to meet significant demographic demands nationally, will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Gaelscoileanna Issues (27 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 and 191 together. My Department is currently examining the extent and location of additional post-primary places that will be needed on a nationwide basis from 2017 onwards. This will include an examination of the north Kildare area. A submission recently received from An Foras Patrúntáchta in relation to all-Irish provision in north Kildare...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further Education and Training Programmes Provision (27 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Since 2011 my Department has introduced a number of targeted initiatives aimed at addressing the skills needs of employers and supporting jobseekers into employment. At higher education level Springboard and the ICT skills conversion programme provide opportunities for unemployed people and job seekers to upskill or reskill in areas of identified skills needs. The courses, which are at level...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (27 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently completing Stage 2a (Developed Design) of the architectural planning process. On the satisfactory completion of stage 2a, and subject to no other issues arising, the project will progress to Stage 2(b) which includes applications for Planning Permission, Fire Safety Certification, Disability Access Certification and the preparation of tender...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (27 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The project to which the Deputy refers was approved recently to progress from Stage 2A (Developed Design) to Stage 2b (Detailed Design). Stage 2b includes the applications for planning permission, fire safety certificate, disability access certificate and the preparation of tender documents. Due to competing demands on the Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the...