Results 9,601-9,620 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Education (Amendment) (Protection of Schools) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (3 Jul 2012)

Brendan Smith: I wish to share time with Deputy Ó Cuív.

Education (Amendment) (Protection of Schools) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (3 Jul 2012)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important issue. The protection of small schools is critical, and I know the Save Our National Schools, SONS, campaign, including Billy Standish and his colleagues, has done good work in creating awareness of the difficulties that will face many communities with the gradual implementation of the staffing schedule changes. On many occasions I stated...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (28 Jun 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 79: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the appointments he has made to State Boards and agencies under his remit; the process involved in such appointments; if any appointees were required to appear before the relevant Oireachtas Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31355/12]

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (28 Jun 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 80: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of retired teachers employed as superintendents in this year's State examinations; the number of retired teachers employed to conduct the oral examinations; the number of retired teachers employed to correct examination papers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31356/12]

Written Answers — Food Exports: Food Exports (28 Jun 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 235: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the likely prospects in respect of exports from the food and beverage sector for the remainder of 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31554/12]

Written Answers — School Absenteeism: School Absenteeism (28 Jun 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 238: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will detail truancy levels experienced in the education system in each year since the National Educational Welfare Board was established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31317/12]

Written Answers — School Absenteeism: School Absenteeism (28 Jun 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 239: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide the most recent truancy levels on a county basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31318/12]

Written Answers — School Absenteeism: School Absenteeism (28 Jun 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 240: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide the most recent truancy levels for Dublin on an area basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31319/12]

Written Answers — School Absenteeism: School Absenteeism (28 Jun 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 241: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline the progress made to date in tackling truancy in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31320/12]

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (28 Jun 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 247: To ask the Minister for Health if additional funding will be provided in respect of a training centre (details supplied) in County Cavan in view of increased enrolments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31288/12]

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 Jun 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 20: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the stage of a proposed building project in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; when this project will proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30994/12]

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 Jun 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 51: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the stage of a proposed building project in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; when this project will proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30995/12]

School Curriculum (27 Jun 2012)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his response. The reports published by the NCCA in the past couple of weeks are important and support the development of a new language curriculum at primary level. The Department must move on those reports as soon as is practical so as to ensure we develop an integrated language curriculum where language learning supports the development of literacy skills across...

School Curriculum (27 Jun 2012)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. The person who was in contact with me subsequent to my tabling of the parliamentary question indicated that the problem was somewhat different, that textbooks were being introduced each year and that this added to the difficulty. Project Maths was rolled out originally in 2008 and it became a leaving certificate subject in 2010 in 24 schools, which was...

School Curriculum (27 Jun 2012)

Brendan Smith: It is important to recognise the engagement of mathematics teachers with this project as well. Often it is easy for people to knock the public service and those delivering services. This project emphasises the importance of ongoing professional development and the fact that these courses are developed. It is important to recognise the worthwhile engagement by teachers of mathematics. The...

Education and Training Boards (27 Jun 2012)

Brendan Smith: I welcome that the heads of the Bill have been approved by the Government. Does the Minister of State expects to have the legislation enacted before the end of the calendar year?

Education and Training Boards (27 Jun 2012)

Brendan Smith: Is it envisaged that the new architecture will be put in place in parallel with the legislation going through the Houses of the Oireachtas?

Education and Training Boards (27 Jun 2012)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for the clarification. I appreciate this is a major project and it has my full support. However, the momentum needs to be maintained. If any doubt or uncertainty sets in the new entity will get off to a bad start and will take time to recover. I am concerned for the people who avail of the services. All of us have met people in our clinics who have asked...

Third Level Grants (27 Jun 2012)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Crowe referred earlier to deficiencies in language teaching. I spoke privately with the Minister while we were campaigning in the recent referendum about my shock at the number of people from outside this jurisdiction who were working in a certain enterprise because of a lack of people with specific skills here. At a recent party meeting a young person who is pursuing postdoctoral...

Third Level Grants (27 Jun 2012)

Brendan Smith: Considerable progress can be made in achieving better collaboration between the universities, the institutes of technology and relevant industries. We made progress in this area when I was in the Department. It is relevant to the point made about Deputy Donnelly's question. There can be better collaboration and better utilisation of resources and less duplication. This will be of benefit...