Results 9,821-9,840 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (13 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: While a key priority for me is to continue to prioritise and target resources at schools with the most concentrated levels of educational disadvantage, the current economic climate and the challenge to meet significant targets on reducing public expenditure limits opportunities and means that there is not capacity to provide for additionality to the DEIS programme, including the selection of...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (13 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding to provide a new school building. In accordance with the published criteria for large scale building projects, the project has been assigned a Band 2 rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (13 Mar 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...

Written Answers — Schools Building Programme: Schools Building Programme (13 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I can confirm that a site has been purchased for the Gaelscoil referred to by the Deputy and that planning permission has been sought for the site. In view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major school projects required to meet demographic demand will be the main focus for capital investment in the coming years. It is not possible,...

Written Answers — Teachers' Remuneration: Teachers' Remuneration (13 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: In a small number of cases, teachers have been placed in the incorrect class of PRSI. These situations are comparatively rare and have tended to come to light at the point of retirement. In 1,200 cases of retirements of teachers examined recently 3 cases were identified where teachers were on the incorrect rate of PRSI. The approach of my Department is to rectify individual cases as they...

Written Answers — Book Rental Schemes: Book Rental Schemes (13 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 207 together. It is not possible to state what the cost of the establishment of a fully stocked book rental scheme for all primary and second level schools in the State system for all years and for all subjects would be due to the fact that not all schools provide or use the same textbooks and not all schools are the same size. There are differences...

Written Answers — School Patronage: School Patronage (13 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy is aware, in June 2011 I announced that 20 new post-primary schools are to be established up to 2017 across a number of locations to cater for increasing demographics. This announcement included a proposal to establish a new post-primary school in the area referred to by the Deputy. This school is to be established in September 2014. The closing date for receipt of applications...

Written Answers — Third Level Courses: Third Level Courses (13 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I am aware of the issue that the Deputy has raised. The content of course curricula in higher education institutes is a matter for the providers themselves. I understand that the college in question has met with representatives of Atheist Ireland in recent days to discuss the issues raised by the Deputy. HETAC validates programmes of education and training leading to its awards. As part of...

Written Answers — School Building Projects: School Building Projects (13 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department recently provided funding to facilitate the relocation of the school to alternative premises.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (13 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The processing of student grants is carried out by local grant awarding authorities – VECs and local authorities. Officials in my Department contacted the relevant VEC, the awarding authority in this case, who confirmed supporting documentation required to process the candidate's grant application remains outstanding. They wrote to the candidate on 26th July 2011, 29th September 2011 and...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (13 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The staffing arrangements for the 2012/13 school year are set out in Primary Circular 0007/2012 which is available on my Department's website. This includes the detail of the reform of the allocation process which is designed to bring a more equitable distribution of existing posts between schools. The new arrangements incorporate a long overdue updating of the GAM (learning support)...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (13 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme to carry out works to the foul sewer and tiling of toilet areas. 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 informed of this decision.

Written Answers — Public Service Staff: Public Service Staff (13 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department has one office base in Clare located at Ennis which accommodates staff from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS). No staff that were based in Clare retired this year prior to the 29th, February 2012. The final number of teachers in Primary Secondary, Community and Comprehensive schools who have actually retired will not be available until all the retirement...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (13 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I understand from my officials that the student in question was refused enrolment to a school which is maintained by South Tipperary VEC. Under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998, in the case of a school which is established or maintained by a vocational education committee an appeal against the decision of the board of such school shall lie, in the first instance to the vocational...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (13 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that I announced details of the Five Year Plan yesterday. The Plan contains details of 219 new major school building projects which will begin construction over the next five years as part of a €2 billion capital investment programme. Details of the projects listed on the Plan may be viewed on my Department's website www.education.ie.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (13 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together. I can confirm that my Department is currently examining an application for improved accommodation from the school to which the Deputy refers. So that the matter can be considered fully, a technical assessment of the site on which the school is located is required. Officials from my Department will be in further contact with the school...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (13 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy is aware, on Monday 12th March 2012, I announced details of 219 new major school building projects where construction is expected to commence over the next five years as part of a €2 billion capital investment programme. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the project to which he refers was included in this announcement. Information in respect of all schools included in the...

Written Answers — School Patronage: School Patronage (13 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The Minister for Education and Skills is proposing to publish the Report of the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector in April.

Order of Business (13 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: That is good news.

Order of Business (13 Mar 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: That is optional.