Results 9,021-9,040 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — School Management: School Management (9 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will be aware that under the Education Act 1998, legally, all schools are managed by school Boards of Management, on behalf of the school patrons or trustees, and it is the Board of Management that employ the teachers at the school. Accordingly, whereas I provide funding and policy direction for schools, neither I nor the Department have legal powers to instruct schools to follow...

Written Answers — Skills Development: Skills Development (9 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 67 and 68 together. The new Higher Diploma Level 8 Conversion ICT Programmes targeted at jobseekers have been rolling out from March 2012. To date 682 students have accepted places or are enrolled on these programmes countrywide. A preliminary evaluation of applicant data shows that there has been strong demand for these programmes from high quality...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (9 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The decision on eligibility and the payment of the student grant is a matter for a student's local grant awarding authority, in this case County Roscommon VEC. Officials in my Department contacted County Roscommon VEC, which confirmed that it issued the 2nd instalment of the grant on the 11th of January 2012 and the 3rd instalment on the 17th of April 2012 to the student's college,...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (9 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The school referred to by the Deputy will retain all of its current teaching posts for the forthcoming 2012-13 school year. The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on my Department's 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...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (9 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the number of 18 year olds in post-primary schools for 2011/12 school year is 18,061 in mainstream education which includes Junior Certificate, Transition Year and Leaving Certificate programmes. There are an additional 7,846 18 year olds enrolled in Post Leaving Certificate, Core VTOS and Repeat Leaving Certificate programmes. The age...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (9 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on my Department's 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 staffing arrangements in schools for the 2012/2013 school year can also be...

Written Answers — School Services Staff: School Services Staff (8 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The general compulsory retirement age in the public service is 65. For new entrants to the public service, as defined in the 2004 Public Service Superannuation Act, there is no compulsory retirement age. An employee's retirement age should be included in their contract of employment. I presume that the Deputy is referring to a specific case of which he is aware. If so, and if he wishes to...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (8 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form and supporting documentation, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student should qualify for a grant. The Deputy will be aware that, in the context of the necessary but difficult expenditure reduction measures announced in Budget 2012,...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (8 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 160, 163, 164 and 166 together. As the Deputies 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...

Written Answers — Teachers' Remuneration: Teachers' Remuneration (8 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: As a result of Budget 2012, Circular 70/2011 provides that teachers who had been engaged in a public sector teaching post on or before 4 December 2011 are eligible to retain the qualification allowances they were entitled to be in receipt of on that date. Such teachers will not be paid any additional allowance where they acquire any further qualification on or after 5 December 2011. The...

Written Answers — Education Qualifications: Education Qualifications (8 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: In the light of the necessary preparations for the amalgamation of FETAC with HETAC and the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) into the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland (QQAAI), new applications for registration will not be accepted until the establishment of the new agency. The Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Bill 2011,...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (8 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: My officials understand from the National Educational Welfare Board that the student in question secured an alternative school placement.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (8 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The management authority of the school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme for the complete replacement of the existing electrical services installation in their school. As the scope of works for which funding is sought is outside the terms of the scheme it cannot be considered for funding. The school authority has been...

Written Answers — School Complaints Processes: School Complaints Processes (8 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 169 together. The Deputy will be aware that under the Education Act 1998, legally, all schools are managed by school Boards of Management, on behalf of the school patrons or trustees, and it is the Board of Management that employs the teachers at the school. Accordingly, whereas I provide funding and policy direction for schools, neither I nor the...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (8 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Further to my reply to your question of 15th March and as already announced, the 136 posts in 163 post primary schools, 16 posts in 16 rural schools and 38 posts in 17 non DEIS schools will be withdrawn from September 2012 and I have no plans to review this decision. These schools were not included in the report on the impact of the withdrawal of legacy posts as they were not adversely...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (8 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The school referred to by the Deputy is a small school in the Gaeltacht. As part of the new staffing arrangements my Department has expanded the existing appeals process so that it is accessible to the small primary schools that are losing a classroom post as a result of the budget measure. Such schools will not lose their classroom post if they are projecting increased enrolments in...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (8 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I am providing a list outlining the information sought in relation to external consultancy reports commissioned by my Department. My Department does not pay a Ministerial allowance to either myself or the Minister of State. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION & SKILLS CONSULTANCY REPORTS 2011 (PQ 22808/12) Consultant Name Purpose of Consultancy Total amt paid 2011 incl vat Centre for Cross Border...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (8 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department has not incurred any expenditure in relation to such consultancies since my appointment as Minister. My Department does not pay a Ministerial allowance to either myself or the Minister of State.

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (8 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 183 together. The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on my Department's 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 staffing arrangements...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The information sought is being compiled at present and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly. With regard to bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested by the Deputy is an administrative matter for each agency. The day to day management of agencies, including the payment of salaries fees and expenses in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform...