Results 9,841-9,860 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (6 Feb 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy will be aware, contributions from religious congregations towards the costs of redress are being made under two separate rounds: the 2002 legally binding Indemnity Agreement and the voluntary offers made by the congregations in 2009 in the aftermath of the publication of the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (the Ryan Report). In early December 2017 my...

Topical Issue Debate: Schools Property (1 Feb 2018)

Richard Bruton: The Education Act outlines the powers I have as Minister, as well as the powers I do not have. Many powers which the Deputy wishes I had are powers which I do not have. However, I have one very important power under section 16 of the Act, where I have to adjudicate on a proposal by a patron to dissolve a board. I will do this in a way that is fair to all sides. I will not comment on...

Topical Issue Debate: Schools Property (1 Feb 2018)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am very much aware of the concern of the Deputy which has been expressed on a number of occasions in the House. As the Minister of State, Deputy Mitchell O'Connor, said I met parents and the board of the school. Genuine efforts have been made to resolve differences, but they have not been fruitful to date. The position has changed to an...

Other Questions: Schools Site Acquisitions (1 Feb 2018)

Richard Bruton: My Department is working closely with South Dublin County Council under the memorandum of understanding on school site acquisitions to acquire a permanent site for a post-primary school serving the Firhouse-Oldbawn school planning area. The school will be under the patronage of Educate Together. A suitable site has been identified and officials are working to advance the acquisition...

Other Questions: Schools Site Acquisitions (1 Feb 2018)

Richard Bruton: Unfortunately, the Department is always in a difficult situation when trying to negotiate a deal. We just encountered the same issue in north County Dublin. The Deputy must trust the Department that it works with local authorities on a best-endeavour basis to get the best possible outcome for the schools. I will not gainsay it by giving information that I have been told is commercially...

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (1 Feb 2018)

Richard Bruton: The Department attempts to be fair to every school and community and that always needs to be done. However, it needs to be satisfied that the tender process is robust and that has been done. It then has to be satisfied, as it releases projects to tender, that it is in accordance with the funding available. It has to plan and manage the process as best as possible. I agree that it would be...

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (1 Feb 2018)

Richard Bruton: Unfortunately, the lists are purely indicative. The progress of different school projects depends on the local environment. While a list is made in good faith, it cannot be held as an absolute indicator of what will emerge. I understand what the Deputy is saying. It is right to give schools a better understanding of the roadmap and I am working with the officials to try to achieve this.

Other Questions: Irish Language (1 Feb 2018)

Richard Bruton: One of the aims of the Department's policy on Gaeltacht education in the period 2017 to 2022 is to increase the supply of newly qualified teachers with the competence to deliver high quality Irish medium education in schools, particularly in Gaeltacht school settings. The policy also seeks to improve the quality of teaching through Irish to ensure existing teachers' Irish language...

Other Questions: Irish Language (1 Feb 2018)

Richard Bruton: There is pressure on teachers, particularly Irish language teachers. We have acknowledged this by the development of the programmes I have outlined which will deliver places as rapidly as possible. Also, under the teacher supply initiative, we are considering the possibility of introducing upskilling conversion programmes for persons with the necessary skills. The Department is open to...

Other Questions: Irish Language (1 Feb 2018)

Richard Bruton: I was the first to introduce a Gaeltacht policy for schools in the Gaeltacht area. We are being very innovative in trying to provide support for schools which commit to following an immersion model of education. We are considering innovation, not only in providing extra teaching resource support through professional development but also e-hubs to ensure that where quality teaching is...

Other Questions: Teacher Recruitment (1 Feb 2018)

Richard Bruton: We are recruiting teachers at a faster rate than ever in the history of the State. A stable number of graduates are coming out of the colleges. We have a steady level of supply. However, there are issues that need to be addressed such as substitution and subject areas. I think the Deputy was present when I outlined the initiatives we were taking to address these issues. I am establishing...

Other Questions: School Curriculum (1 Feb 2018)

Richard Bruton: The report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution included an ancillary recommendation that a thorough review of sexual health and relationships education be carried out. The Department of Health has established an intra-departmental group, chaired by the chief medical officer, to address the ancillary recommendations of the joint committee. Officials from my...

Other Questions: School Curriculum (1 Feb 2018)

Richard Bruton: On the issue of supporting teachers to provide this education, the Professional Development Service for Teachers, PDST, provides training to ensure schools and teachers can deliver it. In 2017 it provided contextualised school-based supports for 3,084 primary and 2,100 post-primary teachers. There is investment by the Department to make sure the teachers who deliver the programme have the...

Other Questions: School Curriculum (1 Feb 2018)

Richard Bruton: The committee drew attention to a number of concerns on the points the Deputy has made. It expressed concerns about the period during which the programme was delivered and the fact that it could be delivered as part of religious education. As the Department has made clear, schools do not have the option of not delivering the full curriculum. The Deputy and the committee are right - we need...

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (1 Feb 2018)

Richard Bruton: The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, stage 2b, which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured. The stage 2b submission has been reviewed by the Department and comments were issued to the school and its design team in...

Other Questions: School Transport Eligibility (1 Feb 2018)

Richard Bruton: The Minister of State, Deputy Halligan, on whose behalf I am answering this question, has been very open with Deputies. He has met Deputies who have suggestions and concerns. I suppose I need to outline the position. It is a significant operation. It is managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. Some 115,000 children, including almost 12,000 children with special...

Other Questions: School Transport Eligibility (1 Feb 2018)

Richard Bruton: Every Minister of State and every Deputy has grappled with this difficulty. If we want the rules to apply nationally on an equitable and fair basis, we need to ensure they apply in every community. The rules cannot differ from one community to another. The Deputy is looking for a different rule to apply in his area because of its special circumstances. The problem is that a scheme cannot...

Other Questions: School Transport Eligibility (1 Feb 2018)

Richard Bruton: If there is a mysterious solution that can work within the rules without changing the rules, while nonetheless achieving a different outcome, I am sure it is a wonderful scheme.

Other Questions: School Transport Eligibility (1 Feb 2018)

Richard Bruton: I do not know what it is.

Other Questions: School Transport Eligibility (1 Feb 2018)

Richard Bruton: The basic problem is that we have €190 million to spend at a time when the number of concessionary pupils is growing substantially. It has doubled to 27,000 in the last four years. The core number of eligible pupils who always get their transport delivered is 77,000. As I understand it, the problem that has arisen is that some people who have been receiving concessionary transport...