Results 8,801-8,820 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Technological University: Technological University (24 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: A clear four stage process and criteria for designation as Technological University was published in February of this year. Institutions proposing to merge and apply for designation as technological universities, including those in the South-East will need to submit a formal expression of interest within a six month period and will be advised within a further six months whether they can...

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (24 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. Statistics in relation to the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate examinations (2000 - 2011) including the number of school leavers who completed the Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate for the last 12 years can be downloaded from State Examinations...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (24 May 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 teaching support and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support...

Written Answers — Educational Projects: Educational Projects (24 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The education and training system has a central role to play in the development of workforce and entrepreneurship skills and supporting economic recovery. The enterprise sector is represented on the statutory agencies responsible for curriculum reform and assessment, quality assurance and policy advice across the education system and on the boards of further and higher education institutions...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Newpark Comprehensive is one of five post primary schools in the Dun Laoghaire Post Primary Feeder Area. Overall enrolments in Newpark have increased by 4% in the last 4 years. Enrolments at post primary level for the area have increased only slightly since 2001. Based on the current intake pattern, it is projected that enrolments will remain stable to 2023. The building project for Newpark...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (24 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocating 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 Special Education supports and the staffing resources available to my Department. All schools,...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (24 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take questions 46 and 47 together. Matters in relation to the Redeployment of Teachers are discussed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council, which is the agreed forum for dealing with the pay and conditions of service of Teachers. The Parties to the forum include representatives of the managerial authorities of schools, the teacher unions, the Department of...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Newpark Comprehensive is one of five post primary schools in the Dun Laoghaire Post Primary Feeder Area. Overall enrolments in Newpark have increased by 4% in the last 4 years. Enrolments at post primary level for the area have increased only slightly since 2001. Based on the current intake pattern, it is projected that enrolments will remain stable to 2023. The building project for Newpark...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (24 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocating 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 Special Education supports and the staffing resources available to my Department. 10,575 whole time...

Written Answers — Departmental Reviews: Departmental Reviews (24 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy will be aware, the Organisational Review Programme (ORP) process was set up in 2007 to review the capacity of Government organisations in three key areas, strategy, managing delivery and evaluation. Its aim is to ensure that Government Departments and major Offices are fit for purpose in terms of the challenges they face. The ORP review of my Department highlights strengths in...

Written Answers — In-service Training: In-service Training (24 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Since continuing professional development (CPD) commenced for the Literacy and Numeracy strategy, school leaders have had access to two separate strands of professional development support within the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST). The Leadership and Planning Strand of the PDST continues with its remit, and its normal programme of training including Forbairt, Misneach,...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (24 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: There are five primary schools in the Virginia feeder area. While enrolments have increased over the past decade, my Department has projected that future enrolments will remain relatively stable up to 2018. The current enrolment at St Mary's is 380 pupils - up from 350 in 2007. So while enrolment levels have been growing at the school they have increased by less than 10% over the last five...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (24 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that in relation to special needs education it should be noted that there has been no reduction in the number of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) which will be available for schools next year, with 10,575 posts remaining available for allocation. There has also been no reduction in the overall number of resource teaching posts which will be available for allocation...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (24 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy will be aware, last June, I launched a discussion paper on school enrolment. The document, "Discussion Paper on a Regulatory Framework for School Enrolment" contains suggestions on how to make the process of enrolling in schools more open, equitable and consistent. Education partners and interested parties were invited to submit their views and the Department is currently...

Written Answers — Higher Education Scholarships: Higher Education Scholarships (24 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: As announced in the 2012 Budget, five scholarship schemes for higher education, including the Easter Week 1916 and Irish scholarships, will be replaced with a new single scheme of bursaries. The awards under the new scheme will be fixed at €2,000 per student. The bursary will be an extra support and incentive to recognise high achievement for students who are from disadvantaged families...

Written Answers — Vocational Education Committees: Vocational Education Committees (24 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: In October 2011, following Government approval, the General Scheme of an Education and Training Boards Bill was referred to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education. The General Scheme was also published at that time. Following discussion with my Department and relevant stakeholders, the committee prepared a report which I responded on 25 January 2012. The...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (24 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department is examining the long-term projected pupil levels for this school in the context of the correspondence on this matter provided by the VEC and the school. As the Deputy will be aware, in June 2011 I announced that 20 new post-primary schools are to be established up to 2017 across a number of locations to cater for increasing enrolments. Of the 17 new schools to be established...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (24 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Circular 25 of 2011, which included a Redeployment Scheme for teachers who are surplus to requirements in situations other than school closures, also provided that discussions would be held with a view to developing a voluntary scheme for the redeployment of teachers. Discussions in relation to a voluntary scheme are continuing under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council, which...

Written Answers — School Patronage: School Patronage (24 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will be aware that I recently published the Report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector. The overarching aim of the forum's work was to ensure schools cater for diversity and provide an inclusive and respectful environment for all their pupils. The Advisory Group has presented a comprehensive report. I am aware that some of the...

Written Answers — Teachers' Remuneration: Teachers' Remuneration (24 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy will be aware, the review of allowances in the public service which is ongoing at the moment is being conducted by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform. The Government has reaffirmed the key commitments under the Public Service Agreement, including that there will be no further reductions in pay rates for serving public servants. These commitments are contingent on...