Results 7,901-7,920 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (19 Jun 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy will be aware, in September 2016, I requested the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to lead a comprehensive review of the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Scheme, in consultation with other relevant Departments and State Agencies. The Review set out to ensure that the Scheme is achieving the best outcomes possible for children with special educational needs. The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Fees (19 Jun 2018)

Richard Bruton: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (19 Jun 2018)

Richard Bruton: Exact expenditure figures regarding the teaching of Politics & Society in schools are not available, as funding is not allocated by my Department on a subject-by-subject basis. However, work in this area is taking place at post-primary level on full implementation of the subject. The first Leaving Certificate examination in Politics & Society will take place on the 20 June....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Scholarships (19 Jun 2018)

Richard Bruton: There were a total of 8,357 students enrolled on PhD programmes in the 2016/17 academic year. Of this figure, year one enrollments were 1,537 full-time PhD students and 269 part-time PhD students. Final figures for the 2017/18 academic year are not yet available. PhD funded scholarships are available from a number of bodies, including the Irish Research Council, Science Foundation...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Capitation Grants (19 Jun 2018)

Richard Bruton: I recognise the need to improve capitation funding for schools having regard to the reductions that were necessary over recent years. Restoring capitation funding as resources permit is one of the actions included in the Action Plan for Education. Budget 2018 marked the second year of major reinvestment in the education sector, as we continue to implement the Action Plan for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff Contracts (19 Jun 2018)

Richard Bruton: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible 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. The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in Department Circular 0030/2014, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (19 Jun 2018)

Richard Bruton: From 21st March, 2017 the Special Education Support Service (SESS), National Behaviour Support Service (NBSS) and the Visiting Teacher Service for Children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Children who are Blind/Visually Impaired (VTHVI) transferred from my Department to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and joined with the services already being provided by NCSE’s...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments Data (19 Jun 2018)

Richard Bruton: There were 558,314 pupils enrolled in primary schools during the school year 2016-17 (this figure includes both Mainstream and Special Class pupils).

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Data (19 Jun 2018)

Richard Bruton: The number of contracted whole-time equivalent primary school teachers on my Departments payroll at 14/6/2018 is 35,959. This figure excludes job-sharing teachers, substitute teachers, teachers on career break or on secondment.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Properties (19 Jun 2018)

Richard Bruton: The property referred to by the Deputy is not in my ownership. In common with other buildings of its kind, where significant grant aid is provided by my Department for the development of school premises, investment is secured by way of a long-term legal agreement known as a charging lease. There is a charging lease in place on the property referred to by the Deputy dated 1981 for 99...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (19 Jun 2018)

Richard Bruton: Under the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management is responsible for the day to day running of a school. The Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. In relation to school admissions, parents can choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil...

Civil Liability (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: First Stage (14 Jun 2018)

Richard Bruton: No.

Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Jun 2018)

Richard Bruton: While I appreciate the seriousness of the issue Deputy Murphy is raising, it would be reckless of me to comment on what the appropriate response to it would be. I will again have to get the responsible Minister to get back to the Deputy.

Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Jun 2018)

Richard Bruton: I understand the heads of that Bill have been approved. The hope is to publish it before the end of the session in July. It will not be taken this session but it is hoped that it will be published.

Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Jun 2018)

Richard Bruton: While I know funding has been made available for elite athletes, I again cannot respond in detail to the question the Deputy has raised concerning Rowing Ireland. I will get the Minister of State, Deputy Griffin, to respond.

Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Jun 2018)

Richard Bruton: Deputy O'Reilly recognises that a very specific provision was made in the recent pay agreement that, where there is difficulty in recruiting in particular grades, there would be a process under which the Public Service Pay Commission would examine the case and come back to Government with specific recommendations based on the evidence. It is right that that approach be taken. I understand...

Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Jun 2018)

Richard Bruton: I will have to get the Minister to respond to the Deputy.

Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Jun 2018)

Richard Bruton: I am glad to tell the Deputy that this Bill was approved by the Government this week. I am optimistic that it will be published very shortly. It makes provision for €750 million to be extended. From memory, it is hoped that the provision will allow thousands of homes to be built. It is a finance scheme so it supports access to finance to developers who have had difficulty getting...

Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Jun 2018)

Richard Bruton: I understand the HSE is in the final stages of recruiting staff required to deliver a seven days a week mental health service. It has recruited 114 assistant psychologists and 22 psychologists to develop a primary care element. One difficulty in our system is that primary care has been underdeveloped and everything is going to a consultant-led service in CAMHS, so that is a very important...

Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Jun 2018)

Richard Bruton: I will have to get back to the Deputy and get the Minister to explain the recruitment schedule for these posts. I know he has a very strong commitment to far greater accountability and transparency and to support Sláintecare and its principles.