Results 8,301-8,320 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (24 Sep 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 Lucan area. When this exercise has been completed arrangements will made to make accommodation available where it is needed.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (24 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: 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 the Plan. These have been prioritised on the basis of meeting significant demographic needs. The Deputy will be aware that there are two Post-Primary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Minor Works Scheme Suspension (24 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Circular Letter 0062/2013 which was published as the Minor Works Grant for the school year 2013/2014 issued last November states "the grant will only be paid in future years as funding permits". The focus under the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme 2012-2016 is on meeting the demand for additional school places. Consequently, there is no funding provided at this time in the 2014...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: There are a number left.

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Again, the Senators are making valid points and I will examine it before Report Stage. I prefer to keep in the "special interest" but will consider the suggestions of the phrase "and international reputation" and the word "and".

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: We will examine it. I am not sure we will come back with the exact phrase "international reputation" but we will see what we can do to meet what the Senator is trying to achieve.

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I do not propose to accept the amendments because the application process for authorisation to use the title of university outside the State is open to any institution that fulfils the strict criteria outlined in the Bill. While the Senators may be correct about the purpose of the Bill, the criteria are very strict and it would not be right to have the piece of legislation for one particular...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I do not propose to accept amendment No. 12 as I consider the period of three months to be reasonable. On amendment No. 13, it is not appropriate that one particular interest group, namely, the universities, should be consulted. I will, however, consider the second element of the amendment which proposes that the Minister should cause the observations of an tÚdarás, given under...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I will examine the issue before Report Stage. The universities have many opportunities to express their views. This, however, is the formal consultation with an tÚdarás, which is incorporated into the legislation. As I stated, on Report Stage I will return to the issue of publishing the consultation findings.

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. I understand a university's name is protected if it is a registered trademark. To ensure university names are protected, I have asked my officials to consider the amendment in greater detail. If it is appropriate to do so, I will table an amendment. I am being constructive as I realise the Senator's amendments are also designed to be constructive.

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: As I stated, we will examine the issue again. I am coming to the Bill in the middle of the legislative process.

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I want to ensure we get the wording right and protect the universities. As I stated, Senator Sean D. Barrett has tabled a number of highly constructive amendments, as have other Senators. I will examine the issue and perhaps we might have a more detailed debate on it on Report Stage.

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank the Senator for her contribution. I agree that we need to ensure parents and the wider school community are given as much information as possible regarding the funds available to schools. They need to be accountable to parents and we need greater levels of engagement, communication and transparency in how schools serve their community. The Government approved in March the drafting...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Some broad issues have been raised. Perhaps I might start with the last issue raised by Senator John Crown. As he is aware, there has been considerable reform in higher education generally in terms of institutions coming together and working collaboratively and forming clusters in different parts of the country in the context of the proposed technological universities. He has proposed a...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: There are issues of concern to do with human rights, but I wish to focus particularly on the proposed amendments. Amendment No. 7 is a Government amendment which seeks to remove a superfluous cross-reference to subsection (1). A similar response can be given on amendment No. 2 which deals with the qualifications framework. The definitions and terminology used to describe the awarding...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Yes. The Senator made a point generally about definitions, but I am advised that this is the correct terminology. However, I am willing to look at it again before Report Stage. There are a number of later amendments at which I am willing to look again before Report Stage, but I cannot accept the proposals made in this instance. Amendment No. 6 would have the effect of deleting the...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I argue that it is a valid purpose to market what one provides, whether it is a university or anybody else, as one has to tell people what one actually offers. I am not proposing to accept that amendment either.

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Does the Senator have a better term than it.

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: It is not just at the whim of the Minister. There are criteria that such a body would have to fulfil, including that the authority must make awards to at least doctoral degree level. It is therefore quite constrained.

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (23 Sep 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: It is quite constrained. Ministers have powers to do lots of things but they are within strict parameters. I have no doubt that whoever is Minister for Education and Skills will exercise his or her powers responsibly, but he or she will have to exercise them within the parameters of the legislation. We make lots of legislation across many areas where Ministers have powers, but they have to...