Results 9,161-9,180 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to come to that.

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Senator Barrett and others referred to the increase in population and noted there was not simply a significant increase in people of no religion or of no stated religion but there also has been an increase, because of the general population increase, of 8%. However, as an economist and a statistician, the Senator undoubtedly will be aware the quantum increase in real terms was with the...

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Yes.

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: If I may, I would like to also respond at this point to Senator Moran's question on education for primary school teachers. I am embarking on a review of the 22 institutions and the 40 courses in respect of primary and secondary school teachers. By contrast, Singapore has one such body, Finland has eight and the Province of Ontario has 13. There is massive duplication, the full extent of...

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: That is my understanding of it.

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: In response to Deputy Mullen's question, we are investigating ways of assessing demand. When parents sign their children up for preschool places, they could be asked to indicate their preferences for denominational or other types of schooling. There have been cases of refusals. The reformed church, if I may give it that generic name, is growing in population. Church of Ireland schools...

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: According to the enrolment responses we have received, 80% of our schools at primary and secondary level, or approximately 4,000 schools, do not have to deal with issues of capacity and accommodation. There may be suggestions in certain areas that a child is better off in the local VEC school rather than a free voluntary school for reasons relating to special needs or educational...

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: This brings me to the question raised by Senators Hayden and Keane. Sometime in the 1960s our non-denominational system of primary education was turned into a denominational one. From the Stanley letter onwards, religion had to be taught at the beginning or the end of the school day or week. Schools had to remove religious symbolism from their walls while secular subjects were being taught...

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I know that but it was captured in the 1960s with the new rule book. The reason one cannot opt out of religious education is because the school can cite rule 68, which states that religion must vivify the entire school day. From what part of the school day can a student opt out? Faith formation is self-evident but if it is being done throughout the school day and one must respect the...

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Of course it will.

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I thank the Acting Chairman for his indulgence. The next step for the Department is to formulate a response to the report. This has been a useful debate in that regard. I will then bring our response to the Cabinet in order to outline how I propose to proceed formally. My intention is to implement the programme for Government by developing a White Paper on the subject. I will then...

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: We are talking about the five primary schoolteacher-training colleges and 17 colleges in the State system - not private colleges - which are providing HDip qualifications and equivalent. That entire sector needs to be reviewed and that will be announced. It is part of the overall Hunt report process and I hope we will have a report sometime in the autumn of this year.

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I welcome this opportunity to make a statement to the House on the report of the advisory group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector. Having a school system that can cater adequately for demand for pluralism and diversity is a priority for the Government. That is why I established the independent forum within my first few days in office. I would like to start by...

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The 50% reference was my echoing of what Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said when he called for the forum. He said that he could do with half of the schools he currently has. That is the origin of the 50% figure.

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: How much time will I be allocated to speak now?

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Or even less to allow more speakers afterwards.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (26 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The appeal from the student referred to by the Deputy was considered by the Independent Appeals Board and a reply has recently issued.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (26 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The school referred to by the Deputy has an application with my Department for capital funding for a new school building. Information in respect of the current status of all assessed applications for major capital works, including this project, is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie. As outlined in the Five Year Plan, the delivery of major school projects required to...

Written Answers — Teachers' Remuneration: Teachers' Remuneration (26 Apr 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: A 10% reduction in salary applies to new entrants to the public service, including teachers, who commenced employment for the first time on or after 1 January 2011. This is in accordance with the Budget 2011 decision taken by the previous administration. Teachers appointed for the first time on or after 1 January 2011 also commence employment at the first point of the salary scale....

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (26 Apr 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 relevant appointment and retention figures for mainstream staffing for the...