Results 8,561-8,580 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Higher Education Institutions: Higher Education Institutions (19 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The recent report from the Comptroller and Auditor General confirms that over €8 million in unauthorised payments were made to senior university staff over the period June 2005 to February 2011. This is completely unacceptable behaviour and represents a failure in governance in our universities and is a serious breach of public pay policy. These unauthorised payments have been ceased in all...

Written Answers — Higher Education Institutions: Higher Education Institutions (19 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Following the publication of the NCCA-HEA report on Transitions into higher education last December, I asked the universities and the Institues of Technology to sumit proposals to me in relation to the implementation of the recommendations in the report. I have been informed that the universities are currently finalising a report for submission to me in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (19 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy has been included in the 5 year construction programme. A stage 2(b) submission was received in my Department in May. This submission includes tender documents and is the precursor to tender and construction stage. The Design team has been asked to do a review of the tender documents and revert to the Department when that review...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (19 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The capital investment programme for the school sector over the years 2012 to 2016 amounts to €2 billion. As I announced last March €1.5 billion of the investment is in respect of the major school building projects that will be underway during the five-year period. The remaining €500 million will be expended on the additional accommodation programme (including the initiative to...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (14 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: 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 resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's established criteria for the allocation of such...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (14 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I acknowledge the additional work associated with the additional responsibilities placed on boards of management consequent to recently introduced tax laws by the Revenue Commissioners relating to the operation of relevant contract tax at schools level. Despite the endeavours of my Department to assist school authorities cope with these changes, the matters of expertise, time and need for...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (14 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The Student Grant Scheme and the Student Support Regulations for the 2012/13 academic were published by my Department earlier this week. The nationality requirements for the scheme are set out in section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011 and regulation 5 of the Student Support Regulations 2012. The nationality requirements are currently under separate review within my Department.

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (14 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The temporary accommodation, referred to by the Deputy was considered to be in good condition and well maintained when acquired by my Department. In the period since the purchase, my Department was advised by the school of issues with the accommodation. A technical assessment has been carried out recently by Department staff and the report in the matter is being considered. My Department will...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (14 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department is satisfied that the existing schools in Malahide can cater for enrolments in the area in the short to medium term. My Department will continue to monitor enrolments in the Malahide area to ensure that there is sufficient school accommodation to meet any projected future demands.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (14 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: 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 processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports including resource teaching and Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support, to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (14 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to confirm to the Deputy that the school in question has submitted additional information in support of their application. This will now be considered by my Department and a response will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as this process has been completed.

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (14 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Teacher allocations are approved annually in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. My Department has published the staffing arrangements at post primary level for the coming school year, 2012/13. The relevant Post Primary circular is 0009/2012 which is available on my Department's website. At post primary level, schools will have autonomy on how best to...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together. A working group comprising representatives from my Department, HEAnet and the Department of Communications and Natural Resources have recommended a strategy for the roll out of 100mbps to all post primary schools. The national roll-out will be completed over three stages with 200 schools being connected by September 2012, a further 200...

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: For the Deputy's information, there is no record of that meeting.

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy might find out who they met.

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Would that not have the effect of causing a long delay?

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I will come back to some of the points that were made. First, I thank Deputies for their contributions to the debate. As has been discussed, the Bill's primary purpose is to establish a statutory fund to support the needs of survivors, in keeping with the all-party motion which was unanimously agreed by the House in the aftermath of the Ryan report. The general support for the Bill is...

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: That would bring us very close to a 50:50 deal. In the area of education, I have responsibility for this country's 3,200 primary schools, some 92% of which are under the patronage of the Catholic Church, and 728 post-primary schools. Many of our school buildings are located on the grounds of religious orders and are partially if not totally owned by the patron in question. They were...

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2011: Referral to Select Committee (14 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills pursuant to Standing Orders 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business."

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Jun 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: It is €1.5 billion.