Results 9,701-9,720 of 18,459 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (8 May 2012)

Brendan Smith: The Minister has renewed his call to the congregations to ensure that they deal with the issue of contributions in a generous manner. I echo that call. They must face up to their responsibilities in that regard.

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (8 May 2012)

Brendan Smith: Overall, I welcome the legislation. I have flagged a number of issues I will raise for further discussion and on which I may table some amendments on Committee Stage.

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (3 May 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 99: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the continuation of the fee remissions schemes for the children of university staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22366/12]

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (3 May 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 100: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total cost of the fee remissions scheme in each university in each year for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22367/12]

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (3 May 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 101: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the fee remissions scheme for the children of university staff is being considered as part of the review of public service allowances being carried out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22368/12]

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (3 May 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 102: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of young persons who are the children of university staff who benefitted from the fee remissions scheme in each year for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22369/12]

Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (2 May 2012)

Brendan Smith: I move amendment No. 12: In page 8, line 21, to delete "may" and substitute "shall". The purpose of this amendment is to ensure there is the utmost clarity in respect of the requirement that the Minister prescribe the circumstances and conditions regarding the employment of a person in place of a registered teacher. The Bill states that the Minister "may" prescribe those circumstances and...

Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (2 May 2012)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the Minister's commitment in this regard, which follows commitments he made in respect of other provisions. It is a welcome development. This issue has arisen during a number of debates and we must ensure that as many substitute teaching positions as possible are given to unemployed qualified, registered teachers rather than to retired personnel. We are all well aware of the...

Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (2 May 2012)

Brendan Smith: I move amendment No. 17: In page 10, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following: "(15) The Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977 to 2007 shall not apply to the dismissal of a person employed in a teaching position in a school where the dismissal follows directly from the cessation of the remuneration of that person out of monies provided by the Oireachtas.". Concerns have been expressed to me...

Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (2 May 2012)

Brendan Smith: I move amendment No. 18: In page 10, to delete lines 26 to 29. I understand this will give effect to section 30 of the Teaching Council Act. The Minister had spoken previously about commencing that section without amendment of any legislation. Why is this necessary?

Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (2 May 2012)

Brendan Smith: Amendment No. 5 in my name has been grouped with Deputy Seán Crowe's amendment. Repealing subsections (5) and (6), as inserted by section 40 of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004, would remove the obligation on and ability of the Minister to request the assistance of the Health Service Executive to provide the relevant support services. Will the effect of...

Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (2 May 2012)

Brendan Smith: My concern in this regard, one which has been expressed by different groups, is that responsibility for the delivery of services will fall between different agencies. Deputy Seán Crowe correctly referred to section 13 of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 which placed particular obligations on the Minister to provide for the individual requirements of...

Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (2 May 2012)

Brendan Smith: I mentioned on Committee Stage that the representatives of the patron bodies - a large number of groups - made a presentation to the education committee and they outlined a number of practical changes they would like to see incorporated in this Bill. Deputy Mitchell O'Connor participated in that debate as well. The Croke Park agreement is for a finite period of time. Regardless of those...

Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (2 May 2012)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the Minister's affirmation that proper and adequate consultation with the education partners will continue. To avoid doubt and uncertainty, could the Minister's correspondence with the education partners be issued immediately following the signing of the legislation by President Higgins? It is important that there not be a lacuna, that the processes that have worked satisfactorily...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (1 May 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 136: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funding will be provided towards a history project (details supplied) of importance to all this island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21634/12]

Written Answers — Audiovisual Industry: Audiovisual Industry (1 May 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 146: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on the findings of the Creative Capital report on industrial relations in Ireland's audiovisual industry; his views on whether the stalemate is damaging to Ireland's reputation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21692/12]

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (1 May 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 263: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will list the primary schools in each county that will lose a teaching post from September 2012 due to the staffing schedule changes announced in Budget 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21965/12]

Written Answers — Household Charge: Household Charge (1 May 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 476: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the household charge and whether it is properly due from private apartment owners on Dublin Docklands Development Authority sites when the owners already pay management fees of €2,500 which specifically include a local authority, Dublin City Council, charge of €350 for local...

School Enrolments (1 May 2012)

Brendan Smith: I appreciate the Ceann Comhairle's decision to select this important matter. The serious concerns about the grossly unfair treatment of a pregnant teenage girl underline the need to develop clear and fair admission policy guidelines as part of a broader approach to ensure fairness and equality in the education system. The Office of the Children's Ombudsman carries out important work and the...

School Enrolments (1 May 2012)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Could he ask the Department to check my particular query? I presume the section of the Education Act 1998 is applicable to all schools, whether private or public. Could the Minister of State confirm that, perhaps in the next few days? Comments attributed to some of the education partners are important and set out clearly what the norms should...