Results 8,021-8,040 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (8 Oct 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department is currently analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards. This process includes an examination of the Prosperous area. 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 (8 Oct 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department is currently analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards. This process includes an examination of the Sallins area. 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 (8 Oct 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department is currently analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards. This process includes an examination of the Kilteel area. 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 (8 Oct 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department is currently analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards. This process includes an examination of the Rathmore area. 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 (8 Oct 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: As the Deputy will probably be aware, a new post-primary school is due to open in Naas in 2015. The school cater for 1,000 pupils when fully developed. My Department is currently analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards. This process includes an examination of the Naas area. When this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards Administration (8 Oct 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Education and training provision in each Education and Training Board (ETB) area is a matter for prioritisation by that ETB in line with its resources. The 2014 Further Education and Training Services Plan is the first Services plan to be developed for Further Education and Training services provided by the ETBs and the National Programmes supported by SOLAS. The Plan provides information...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (8 Oct 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, outlines the major school projects that are scheduled to commence construction over the duration of the Plan. These have been prioritised on the basis of meeting significant demographic needs....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Gaelscoileanna Issues (8 Oct 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The establishment of any new school is considered in the context of the overall need for additional school places to meet future demographic demands. New schools are then advanced in line with an objective process and criteria for determining patronage and language medium of instruction. As part of the arrangements for establishing new post-primary schools, an initial decision is made by...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (8 Oct 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The project referred to by the Deputy is currently at Stage 2(a) of Architectural Planning. My Department has recently written to the Board of Management authorising the project to complete Stage 2(a) and have agreed a date with the Board of Management for the Stage 2(a) Stakeholders meeting which is to be held on 22nd of October. Due to competing demands on my Department's capital budget...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (8 Oct 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The primary staffing schedule currently operates on the basis of a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 28 pupils, with lower thresholds for DEIS Band 1 schools. Schools have autonomy in relation to the deployment of classroom teachers to individual classes. My Department's guidance to schools is that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible taking all relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Administration (8 Oct 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department's student grant scheme provides maintenance grants to Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) students pursuing approved PLC courses in the State and undergraduate students pursuing approved third level courses in the State or in other E.U. Member States. In general, an approved PLC course is defined as a prescribed full-time course in an approved PLC centre while an undergraduate...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Technological Universities (7 Oct 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank the Senator for raising this issue which has a high priority for me. I am very much aware of the timeframes outlined by him. As the House is aware, the higher education reform programme that was given initial impetus by the national strategy for higher education to 2030 is being rolled out. The implementation process relating to the evolutionary pathway laid out in the national...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Suicide Prevention (7 Oct 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank the Senator for her good wishes. I also thank her for raising this very important issue. I am very aware of the serious problem of youth suicide and the important role schools can play in prevention. My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive, produced guidelines for post-primary schools in 2013 entitled, Well-Being in Post-Primary...

Topical Issues: Radio Broadcasting Issues (7 Oct 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I will certainly convey the Deputy's views. I know he will have an opportunity to discuss this with the Minister, Deputy White. According to the information I have, the cultural criterion in the case of France is a much narrower and more identifiable criterion than would be the case with what the Deputy proposes. I know the Deputy has a considerable amount of data on the matter,...

Topical Issues: Radio Broadcasting Issues (7 Oct 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I apologise on behalf of the Minister, Deputy White, who unfortunately cannot be here. I am taking the debate for him and I will convey to him the points raised by Deputy Penrose, particularly with regard to the research done by Johnny Duhan, whom I have met and who, I know, has great passion for this area. I will also convey the Deputy's suggestion that the French have been able to find...

Topical Issues: School Funding (7 Oct 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The schools that have come into the free scheme have made the decision themselves. There are a relatively small number of fee-paying schools. It is not the case that choice is being entirely taken away. I hope all schools would have access to sport and music for students. We want to provide equality of opportunity for all children. That is why we have delivering equality of opportunity...

Topical Issues: School Funding (7 Oct 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank Deputies Creighton and Mathews for the opportunity to address this issue and to outline for the House the position on post-primary education. The Deputies will be aware of the challenging economic environment that forms the backdrop to all decisions relating to the public finances. While the Government has tried to protect front-line services, difficult choices had to be made to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Action Plan on Bullying (7 Oct 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: As the Deputy will be aware, the Action Plan on Bullying was launched in January 2013. Funding has been made available to support the implementation of actions recommended in the Plan. The information sought by the Deputy in relation to grants provided is set out in the attached table. Organisation Grant in 2013 Grant in 2014 National Parents Council (primary and post primary)...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (7 Oct 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I wish to inform the Deputy that I have been in discussions with all the education partners, which included Pre-Budget matters. I met with the Joint Managerial Body which represents all voluntary secondary schools, including fee charging schools. I received their Pre-Budget 2015 submissions, which covered the matters raised by the Deputy. The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot at this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Proposed Legislation (7 Oct 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I intend to amend the Teaching Council Act to strengthen the legislative architecture for the Council's fitness to teach function and Garda vetting. Once the relevant sections are commenced, the Council will investigate complaints against teachers through a number of phases, up to and including holding a hearing. The staged process ensures that the investigation is robust and that the...