Results 9,701-9,720 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (15 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Syllabus planners in all subjects, including Irish are already very conscious of the need to avoid over-frequent changes to textbooks. Their aim is to minimise the cost burden for parents. School authorities have been advised that books should be changed only to the extent that is absolutely necessary. My Department has consistently encouraged schools to put in place book rental schemes as...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (15 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 to 42, inclusive, together. From September 2012 the combined resources available for GAM (General Allocation Model) and language support are being merged into a single simplified allocation process. The need to reform the allocation of the GAM arose because the existing system operated on the basis of 2003 enrolments which are long out of date and had been...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (15 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department is fully committed to strengthening the quality of science teaching and learning, promoting increased scientific literacy and encouraging more students, both girls and boys, to choose science subjects. I am encouraged by the significant increase in the number of students applying to the CAO for science courses this year. An important element of the Strategy for Science...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (15 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: In view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major school projects to meet the demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The five year programme announced earlier this week is focused on meeting those demographic needs. In that context, it was not possible to advance all...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (15 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The Design Team are currently working on finalising the Stage 2(b) Submission (Detailed Design and Tender Documents) which will then be forwarded to my Department for review. In view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (15 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that Special Schools funded by my Department are intended to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year. At that point, the Department of Health/Health Service Executive assumes direct responsibility for young adults with special educational needs who are over...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (15 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that Special Schools funded by my Department are intended to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year. At that point, the Department of Health/Health Service Executive assumes direct responsibility for young adults with special educational needs who are over...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (15 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Last January I asked my officials to examine the net impact, in terms of posts, that certain Budget measures would have on DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 primary schools. The main focus of this examination concerned additional posts allocated under disadvantage schemes predating DEIS. The outcome of this report was published last month and is available on my Department's website. There are 328 DEIS...

Leaders' Questions (15 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I congratulate the Deputy on his promotion to raising questions.

Leaders' Questions (15 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I thank the Deputy for his question, as it gives me an opportunity to clarify the position on this matter and to allay fears, particularly in the agricultural community, which is experiencing a spectacular year of performance under this Government. We hope it will continue.

Leaders' Questions (15 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: As far back as the 1990s when Mrs. Niamh Bhreathnach was the Minister for Education, a commission chaired by Dr. Dónal de Butléir reported on equality among people accessing third level grants to participate in third level education. There was found to be a discrimination against PAYE workers and others compared with the self-employed, including members of the farming community. The...

Leaders' Questions (15 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I regret that the Deputy has sought to scaremonger once again. There is no attack on rural Ireland or the farming community.

Leaders' Questions (15 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: There is no attack on any self-employed group of people. We are looking for fairness and the way in which the Deputy is protesting suggests that he realises that the current system is not fair. This will be done objectively and the conclusions will be published so that we can debate them in this House. The Deputy can then decide whether it is fair or an attack on rural Ireland.

Leaders' Questions (15 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I believe it will be fair and this Fine Gael-Labour Party Government is committed to introducing fairness throughout the country and in every sector.

Leaders' Questions (15 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The household charge will amount to the vast sum of €2 per week.

Leaders' Questions (15 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: It will go towards the cost of local services.

Leaders' Questions (15 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I recall people previously opposing the bin charges. So successful was their incitement to people not to pay bin charges that the service and the employment that was provided by local authorities ended up being privatised.

Leaders' Questions (15 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The very people-----

Leaders' Questions (15 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: This is a charge that will go towards the provision of local services.

Leaders' Questions (15 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: It is necessary and-----