Results 8,781-8,800 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Apr 2018)

Richard Bruton: I acknowledge that any parent who has a diagnosis of a child with special needs is faced with huge challenges. I understand that. We have appointed an independent adviser to Government, which makes decisions about suitable placements, the National Council for Special Education need, NCSE. On foot of its recommendations, we have more than doubled the number of ASD units from 550 in 2011 to...

Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Apr 2018)

Richard Bruton: The special needs organiser, which is appointed by the NCSE, will work with parents to find a suitable placement.

Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Apr 2018)

Richard Bruton: Each year we provide additional special units, where that is recommended, and we will do that again this year. We are bringing to the NCSE the power to compel a school to open an ASD unit should that be needed.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Summer Works Scheme (25 Apr 2018)

Richard Bruton: The summer works scheme is designed to allow schools to carry out small and medium-scale building works that will improve and upgrade existing school buildings. This has given flexibility to schools and has been very worthwhile. This scheme is additional to other capital funding schemes that are operated by the Department, such as the additional accommodation scheme and the emergency works...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Summer Works Scheme (25 Apr 2018)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Senator for raising it. He raised the priorities 7 to 10. It is my intention that those would be reached in time. If a scheme is announced for all the categories, I would not start a new scheme until we had given priorities under all the different headings a chance to participate. We need a better planning approach. The really positive thing in the national development plan...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (25 Apr 2018)

Richard Bruton: The school referred to by the Deputy was established in September 2014.  In order to facilitate the opening of the school, its initial establishment, as with most new schools, has been in interim start-up accommodation, pending a permanent school building being made available.  In order to cater for the school’s growing enrolment numbers, additional interim...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (25 Apr 2018)

Richard Bruton: The project for Malahide/Portmarnock Educate Together Secondary School has been devolved to the patron body, Educate Together for delivery.  The school will open in interim accommodation in September 2018 and my Department is advised by the Patron body that enrolments have been confirmed. My Department understands that the patron body have identified a suitable...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (25 Apr 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 99 together. My Department has not arranged specific training in relation to social media. In relation to the period contained in the Deputy's question, my Department did not incur expenditure on social media training and consultancy in 2011 or 2012. However, a limited number of courses were arranged in media skills...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (25 Apr 2018)

Richard Bruton: In 2018, almost €1.8 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 for the 2017/2018 school year, providing additional teaching support to pupils with special educational needs, and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Closures (25 Apr 2018)

Richard Bruton: Education provision on an inclusive basis is a fundamental principle of our education and training system. Ensuring every child is supported and given the opportunity to reach their full potential is a key priority for this Government and my Department is committed to improving educational outcomes for members of the Traveller and Roma communities.  As the Deputy is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (25 Apr 2018)

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not hold information on the number of pupils in individual schools who currently occupy temporary accommodation. This depends on the organisation of class groups by schools within available accommodation and may vary from year. My Department will compile the additional information requested and this will be furnished to the Deputy shortly.

Topical Issue Debate: Capitation Grants (24 Apr 2018)

Richard Bruton: I have expanded the number of special units catering for children with very acute special needs.

Topical Issue Debate: Capitation Grants (24 Apr 2018)

Richard Bruton: I have been able to preside over a situation where the latest assessment of our education at primary level shows that our primary pupils at ten years of age are the best readers in Europe and the best at mathematics in Europe. We are delivering money into the education system and we are making a difference in students' lives. Of course we will look at the other legitimate demands for...

Topical Issue Debate: Capitation Grants (24 Apr 2018)

Richard Bruton: ----- in which more children are fulfilling their potential, particularly at primary level. It is a mark of what we have been able to achieve as a result of the economic recovery that we are putting it back into our young people to give them a future.

Topical Issue Debate: Capitation Grants (24 Apr 2018)

Richard Bruton: I thank Deputy Shortall for raising this issue. As part of the programme for Government, we intend to increase capitation grants. In the past two budgets, I have secured €1 billion extra for education, of which 85% has gone into our schools. I have not been able to increase capitation grants but I have restored other important services needed in our schools. I have been in a...

Topical Issue Debate: Capitation Grants (24 Apr 2018)

Richard Bruton: I strongly believe in equality of opportunity in our education system.

Topical Issue Debate: Capitation Grants (24 Apr 2018)

Richard Bruton: I have made the decisions that I believe will best serve our students and our pupils. I have put 6,000 additional teachers and 3,000 additional SNAs into our schools.

Topical Issue Debate: Capitation Grants (24 Apr 2018)

Richard Bruton: I have extended the support for disadvantaged schools to 110 additional schools. I have made sure that 50,000 young people with special education needs fulfil their potential.

Topical Issue Debate: School Closures (24 Apr 2018)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I understand his concern. For a long time now, since 2006 in fact, the approach to education for Travellers has involved an integrated model. The Department has been moving to wind back the segregated model which was in place and I understand this is the only remaining school operating on this basis. There has been a consistent effort by the...

Topical Issue Debate: School Closures (24 Apr 2018)

Richard Bruton: I will ensure that there is very close liaison with the students to ensure there is an outcome for them. If I get the advice that we can do better for these young people and that prolonging this is not in their best interests, I have to take it seriously. Ultimately, it is the patron that decides whether to close but the policy of moving to a better model has been in place for a long time....