Results 7,681-7,700 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (4 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: Apprenticeship Programmes (4 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: As part of the Government's Action Plan for Jobs initiative my Department managed a comprehensive review of the Irish Apprenticeship system to determine whether the current model should be retained, adapted or replaced. The review was tasked with taking into account the needs of both learners and industry and to ensure that we have a value for money system that is cost effective and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (4 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: SOLAS has planned for over 5,000 training places for the apprenticeship programme in 2015 and is putting in place the necessary resources are support this volume of activity. Based on forecast registration for 2016 the places required will be over 5,800.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Trade Agreements (4 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The opening up of negotiations between the EU and the US on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) was a very important milestone for Ireland, not only because the EU's decision to open talks was achieved under Ireland's Presidency of the EU last year, but more importantly because it will shape many aspects of Ireland's future relationship with the United States. The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland Administration (4 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The qualifying criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant in the 2014/15 academic year as specified under the 2014 student grant scheme is as follows: 1. Student must qualify for the standard rate of grant; 2. Total reckonable income net of income disregards and Child Dependant Increase must not exceed €22,703; 3. As at 31st December, 2013, the reckonable income must...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland Administration (4 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The decision on eligibility for student grant applications for the 2014/15 academic year is a matter for the centralised grant awarding authority, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland). Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Administration (4 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Article 23 of the Student Grant Scheme 2014 sets out the terms under which rental income is assessed.No allowance is made for depreciation, interest on borrowings which fund the asset, tax capital allowances or for any capital expenditure, regardless of how it is treated for income tax purposes. In calculating reckonable income no account is taken of capital assets. Therefore no...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Employment Rights (4 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: As the Deputy is aware my Department appointed Contractors Administration Services (CAS), to conduct random audits on school building projects. CAS have been requested to carry out a full monitoring service for the duration of the contract at the school in question. Should irregularities be uncovered in terms of non-compliance with relevant employment law, enforcement and prosecution...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (4 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I wish to advise the Deputy that all schools have been allocated additional teaching resources to provide for children with special educational or learning support needs. Under the terms of the General Allocation Model (GAM) of teaching supports, schools are resourced to cater for pupils whose educational psychological assessment places them in the high incidence, or less complex,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 920 and 961 together. The project to provide a new building for the school referred to by the Deputies was included in my Department's 5 Year School Building Plan and listed among those to proceed to construction in 2015/2016. Officials from my Department have been working very closely with officials from Galway County Council to secure a suitable site for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: As the Deputy will be aware, the school to which he refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding. The Five Year Construction Plan that was announced in March 2012 as part of my Department's €2 billion capital investment programme, outlines the major school projects that are scheduled to commence construction over the duration of the Plan....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Charges (4 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: As the Deputy is aware the exchequer funds tuition fee costs in respect of eligible students who are pursuing full-time undergraduate courses of study under my Department's Free Fees Initiative. Students who qualify for free fees funding are liable to pay the student contribution which, for students who qualify under my Department's Student Grant Scheme, is paid on their behalf by the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland Administration (4 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The purpose of the student grant scheme is to provide additional assistance where parental income is below a certain threshold or, in the case of independent mature students, where the level of income of the student and his or her spouse warrants additional assistance by way of a grant. Documentary evidence is required as proof of a student's independent address from 1st October of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland Administration (4 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I understand from SUSI that data in relation to the number of persons refused a student grant as a result of not providing requested supporting documentation within the specified timeframe, would be available. However, specific data regarding the numbers from that cohort that are refused on the basis that they are unable to verify their place of residence, is not currently available. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Data (4 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 925 and 926 together. The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the document. Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, approved course, previous academic attainment and means. Students who are...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 927 and 928 together. My Department is currently finalising the accommodation brief for the proposed project at the school referred to by the Deputy. It is envisaged that the project will include significant restoration works following the damage to the building caused by flooding. The estimated cost cannot be disclosed at this stage as to do could ultimately...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Expenditure (4 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department issued the following payments to the school in question in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014: 2012 Capitation Grant - €23,318 Ancillary Services Grant - €19,257 School Books Grant - €1,441 Prefab Rental Replacement Scheme - €112,000; 2013 Capitation Grant - €25,344 Ancillary Services Grant - €21,168 School Books Grant -...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staffing (4 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school. Where children have...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Overseas Students Data (4 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and the criteria governing the level of tuition fees to be charged in relation to postgraduate study is determined by the institutions and accordingly I have no role in relation to the matter. Under my Department's student grant scheme, those who meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant are eligible to have their...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Grants (4 Nov 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details in respect of the student referred to by the Deputy, it is not be possible for me to give a definitive response in this case. However, from the information provided, I understand the student referred to by the Deputy commenced her PhD studies prior to 2011/12 and, therefore, was assessed and awarded funding...