Results 7,481-7,500 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Pathway to Redress for Victims of Convicted Child Sexual Abusers: Motion [Private Members] (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The core issue the Deputy raises, namely, what the court established and whether the ex gratia scheme is properly applying that, is being evaluated by an independent High Court judge who is respected by everyone. It is not being evaluated by me, as Minister, or our legal advisers. It is being assessed independently by a judge and we should await his findings.

Pathway to Redress for Victims of Convicted Child Sexual Abusers: Motion [Private Members] (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following: “notes that:- sexual abuse, and child sexual abuse in particular, is a heinous crime wherever and however it occurs; - everything that can be done should be done to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice and to ensure that those responsible for such crimes...

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The outstanding works concern Naomh Fionnbarra, the adjoining GAA club. The approach is that the bondsman has a liability. The quickest way to get the works done is if the bondsman exercises the right to bring in contractors and completes the work. The alternative would be more bureaucratic. It would involve the Department tendering for the works. We would then get it done and present...

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: That is exactly what the design team is seeking to do. They are looking to do it in the quickest possible way. We await.

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy is aware, a project to deliver a new building for the school to which she refers is included in my Department's capital programme. As outlined previously, the site acquisition process in respect of this project proved to be extremely challenging. Although officials in my Department proposed an alternative and more expedient accommodation solution, the school authority stated a...

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: Since Deputy Daly last raised this question, the various technical issues which related to access and connections to services have been addressed. They were the challenges. The clarifications needed were provided. Those involved are satisfied that they can resolve the issues but the resolution will impact on the contracts and so on. That work is being undertaken now. No unnecessary delay...

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: I am not a technical person but as I understand it the project requires various rights of way and wayleaves. Those responsible need to be satisfied that the proposed solution meets planning requirements in terms of whatever building standards are to be met. That involves certain infrastructure upgrades that have to be put in place. Certain links in the chain have to be put in place for...

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: They cannot give a definitive timeframe. It is nature of these things that, with the best will in the world, we cannot foresee everything. It may involve either getting wayleaves or satisfying planners that the standards are met by whatever is being proposed. None of this things is in the hands of the design team alone. They require a counterparty to sign up. Even with the best...

Other Questions: Capitation Grants (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: I thank Deputy Curran. I recognise the need to improve capitation funding for schools, including DEIS schools, having regard to the reductions that were necessary over recent years. Restoring of capitation funding as resources permit is one of the actions included in the Action Plan for Education and I remain committed to achieving this. However, I must be prudent in the context of...

Other Questions: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: I welcome the interest in the report. There is the question of complex medical needs that is clearly highlighted in the report. The NCSE calls for a new approach that would involve ring-fencing nursing support in order that it would be part of a new approach to supporting schools and involve a range of therapies. As of today, nursing support provision is the responsibility of the...

Other Questions: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: Yes, of course. The NCSE has recommended use of the term "inclusion support assistants" to move away from the idea of special need and in order to emphasise student independence. It is about allowing pupils to be included, gain their independence and develop. It is seen to be more appropriate as a pupil gets older and the concept of special needs assistant is less attuned with a growing...

Other Questions: Teaching Qualifications (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: This question relates to the teaching of maths and whether those teaching it have the appropriate degrees. The Deputy will note that the performance of students in Ireland in mathematics and science is relatively high by international standards. The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, TIMMS, to which she is referring, found that only six from 39 countries obtained...

Other Questions: Teaching Qualifications (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: We were near the top of the group at primary level and only Northern Ireland was ahead of us among European countries. At second level, no other European country was significantly ahead of us. We are not behind. The investment of €7 million and the 1,300 upgraded maths teachers have made an impact. We need to continue to work on the issue of teacher supply and it is something we...

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: This question relates to Gaelscoil Bharra in Cabra. The school building was handed over for occupation on 1 September 2017. However, as part of the contract for the project, some outstanding works remain to be completed at the adjacent Naomh Fionnbarra GAA Club, including completion of the all-weather pitch and car park reinstatement work. There are also a number of snags to be resolved in...

Other Questions: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The position is as outlined in the very last sentence of the reply. The Department supports the use of ABA and training is provided to teachers in its use. The philosophy of the Department's programme for the education of children with autism is a child-centred approach. It is delivered by special needs assistants and fully qualified professional teachers. They draw from a range of...

Other Questions: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: From my understanding it is one of a range of interventions, and special schools or special classes will choose from that range. ABA informs all teaching in special schools and classes. Some schools came from a specific ABA background and there were 13 centres which were set up as private ABA pilots. Subsequently they were integrated as special schools within the Department of Education...

Other Questions: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: I welcome this question because it is a good report. It is a comprehensive review of the SNA scheme and the Government has noted the contents of the report. In response to the report, I have undertaken to develop proposals for the implementation of the recommendations and to return to Government, following engagement with the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Health, with a...

Other Questions: State Examinations (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy has illustrated the difficulty. She started by saying a very small number of people were involved, but at the end of her comments she said, of course, other people who may not have performed to their expectation should have a chance too. We would very rapidly have a significant repeat examination. This would require setting up not only the papers, but also the scoring framework,...

Other Questions: School Patronage (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: I acknowledge the Deputy's continued interest in the issue. I know it is very frustrating for him and the community. As he will be aware, I announced new plans aimed at accelerating the provision of multidenominational and non-denominational schools throughout the country, in line with the choices of parents, families and school communities and the programme for Government commitment to...

Other Questions: School Patronage (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: I understand the Deputy's perspective. It is good that the two sides are getting together and that it is not, as he described, just an exchange of correspondence that could go all around the houses. I recognise that this would be a very good outcome for the community. The Deputy understands that under the Act the Minister cannot make a decision by fiat on this. It is an issue for the...