Results 8,441-8,460 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government recently announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). This announcement follows nationwide, demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country and the 4-year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The criteria for the appointment of an administrative deputy principal to a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: TheSchools Bundle 5 PPP Project encompasses five school buildings and one further education college across four sites in Bray, Wexford, Carlow and Kells. Under the PPP arrangement, the PPP company, InspiredSpaces, had a construction works contract with Carillion Construction Ltd, which further sub-contracted to Sammon Contracting Ireland Ltd (SCIL). When Carillion Construction Ltd went...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy may be aware, the building project for the school to which he refers is included on my Department's capital programme. Officials in my Department are working closely with officials in the relevant local authority in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the identification and acquisition of a suitable site to facilitate the school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: It is the policy of my Department that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with Autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: It is the policy of my Department that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with Autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Contracts (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: My Department currently has a contract in place with a subsidiary of Capita. The Department’s contract (2017-2020) is with Capita Business Support for the supply of anti-virus software. The Department has received all goods/services and its licenses are valid and paid for until December 2020 which includes support from Symantec. Additional optional consultancy is provided under this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Contracts (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: My Department currently has a contract with a subsidiary of Capita. The Department’s contract (2017-2020) is with Capita Business Support and was sourced using an Office of Government framework for security software.  The tender was competitive. The State Exams Commission (SEC) entered into a five year contract in 2014 with Capita IB Solutions (Ireland) Limited to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Gaeltacht Policy (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: The Department of Education and Skills’ Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022 sets out a comprehensive strategy for education in the Gaeltacht. This Policy, which was published in October 2016, following widespread public consultation is a comprehensive policy which sets out a wide range of actions that are consistent with the Government’s 20-Year Strategy for the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Contracts (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: The position regarding time off for ante/post-natal care appointments and attendance at ante-natal classes is set out in – Maternity Protection Entitlements, Terms & Conditions of Employment for Registered Teachers in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools–Edition 2.  Paragraph 8 of Chapter 4 states: 8.1 Pregnant teachers are entitled to time off...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (22 May 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: Schools Building Projects (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy is aware, a building project for the school to which he refers is included in my Department's 6 Year Construction Programme. The project brief, which is currently being finalised, includes an ASD Unit. The next step involves the commencement of the architectural planning process for the project and my Department will be in contact with the school authority shortly in this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Broadband Service Provision (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: Through the Schools Broadband Access Programme the Department provides for the supply of internet connectivity for all recognised primary and post primary schools, and some 98% of schools are included in this scheme.  All post-primary schools and some special schools are now included in the 100Mbps programme. The policy of my Department is to offer the best quality connectivity...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government recently announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022), including three post-primary schools to be established over that period in the areas referred to by the Deputy. This announcement follows nationwide, demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Superannuation Schemes (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: The person referred to by the Deputy is a member of the Superannuation (Education) Pension Scheme, a pension scheme for special needs assistants(SNA), and is in receipt of pension benefits since 2012. As indicated by the Deputy, the person concerned, since 2012, has carried out a number of days work as substitute SNA.  Officials in the Pension Unit of my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: On foot of the report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector, surveys of parental preferences were undertaken in 43 areas of stable population in 2012 and 2013 to establish the level of parental demand for a wider choice in the patronage of primary schools within these areas.  Analysis of the parental preferences expressed in each area...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together. In 2018, in the region of €1.75 billion will be invested in Special Education, nearly one fifth of the overall Education budget, and up 43% since 2011. This funding includes provision for over 13,400 Special Education Teaching posts in mainstream primary and post primary schools, providing additional teaching support to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Recruitment (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 245 together. Budget 2018 marks the second year of major reinvestment in the education sector, as we continue to implement the Action Plan for Education, which has the central aim to make the Irish Education and training service the best in Europe within a decade. Budget 2018 provides for an additional 1280 teaching posts in the 2018/19 school year....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Standards (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: I have made a strong commitment in the Action Plan for Education 2016-2019 to focus on improving achievement and seeking continual improvement in standards achieved by students. We start from a strong base in the school sector: standards in literacy and numeracy have risen over the lifetime of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy and the performance of our students on international...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: The objective of the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016 is to make it easier for parents to access their local schools and to enrol their children in a school that meets their needs. Report Stage for the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016 is scheduled to commence on 29 May 2018.  I will be bringing forward an amendment on this date that will remove religion as a...