Results 9,961-9,980 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Education (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (29 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the introduction of this legislation. We support the Bill overall, but there are a number of issues of concern in respect of which we will table amendments on Committee Stage. There are several differences between this Bill and the one drafted by the Minister's predecessor, Ms Mary Coughlan. For example, the Minister will be given the power to make directions in terms of...

Education (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (29 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: I appreciate that. Perhaps we can address the matter on Committee Stage. A substantial number of retired teachers are working in the system. Often, decision makers can take the easy option and hire experienced people who they know to be competent for two or three days, a few weeks or so on. When will the young person ever get a start? I hope we can make some progress on this issue in the...

Education (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (29 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: I appreciate that but I do not want to give him or her the opportunity.

Education (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (29 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Both principals and teachers have suggested to me that we should bring down the shutters on this provision. We all know that practical difficulties can arise in remote areas but I would prefer not to countenance the practice. If the Minister is minded to proceed with it, the circumstances under which it applies must be limited. I hope the practice will be non-existent. I will run through...

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (28 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 71: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the approximate number of public servants who after making an initial declaration of interest or intent to retire by the end of February 2012 decided not to proceed with their retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11200/12]

Written Answers — Teachers' Remuneration: Teachers' Remuneration (28 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 183: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of retired teachers paid on the final payroll of 2011 as a percentage of all substitute teachers - and only substitute teachers - on that payroll. [10696/12]

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (28 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 198: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the concern in a local community in relation to a possible reduction in the staffing complement at a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if the current school enrolment will be taken into account in deciding the staff numbers in view of the fact that the enrolment has grown since last...

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (28 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 200: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his policy on the introduction of third level fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11005/12]

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (28 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 201: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his policy on the introduction of a loan scheme at third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11006/12]

Written Answers — Third Level Participation: Third Level Participation (28 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 202: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his policy on increasing participation at third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11007/12]

Written Answers — Institutes of Technology: Institutes of Technology (28 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 203: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his policy on the relocation of DIT to Grangegorman, Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11008/12]

Written Answers — Institutes of Technology: Institutes of Technology (28 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 204: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his policy on the establishment of a technological university in the South East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11009/12]

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (28 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 205: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his policy on merging the existing accreditation authorities, national qualifications authority, FETAC and HETAC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11010/12]

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (28 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 206: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his policy on the maintenance grant scheme at third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11011/12]

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (28 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 207: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his policy on retaining Irish as a compulsory subject at leaving certificate level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11012/12]

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (28 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 208: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his policy on the cap on special needs assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11013/12]

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (28 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 225: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his policy on the provision of special needs education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11030/12]

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (28 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 209: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his policy on increasing class sizes at primary level and second level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11014/12]

Written Answers — Preschool Services: Preschool Services (28 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 210: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his policy on the early childhood care and education programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11015/12]

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (28 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 211: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his policy on the DEIS programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11016/12]