Results 9,981-10,000 of 18,460 for speaker:Brendan Smith

School Curriculum (23 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: The 2008 report was extremely complimentary of the modern languages initiative. While it referred to possible overload, its recommendation was that the initiative should continue. The Minister rightly points out that the programme was never rolled out to all schools. In commentary attributed to him and to the Department there was a suggestion that a cap had been placed on an extension of...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (22 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 18: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has held discussions with the ECB in relation to the way the cost of the covered institutions of loss making tracker mortgage may be moderated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9919/12]

Medical Cards (22 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this very important issue and I acknowledge the presence of the Minister of State, Deputy Ciaran Cannon. Through parliamentary questions and a Fianna Fáil Private Members' motion I had the opportunity to outline our concerns about the adverse effects the proposed changes to staffing schedules for small schools will cause to many...

Medical Cards (22 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for his reply but, unfortunately, it does not convey any assurance to schools under the patronage of minority faiths, schools in Gaeltacht areas or gaelscoileanna. I emphasise that this does not affect only rural schools. I met teachers and members of boards of management of schools in Dublin who are fearful for the future. I welcome the extension of the...

Written Answers — Food and Beverage Exports: Food and Beverage Exports (21 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 95: To ask the Taoiseach the value on a yearly basis of food and beverage exports to China from 2000 to 2011, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9252/12]

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (21 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 399: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a company (details supplied) has notified her of redundancies; if so, the rate of rebate that will be applicable in respect of these redundancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9992/12]

OSCE Chairmanship (21 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 66: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the preparations for Ireland's chairmanship of the OSCE; when the chairmanship was confirmed; when initial interest in holding the chairmanship was expressed; the length of time that preparations and discussions for the chairmanship have been ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (16 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 91: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide the most recent figures available regarding the percentage of staff hired in substitute teaching positions who are retired teachers. [9074/12]

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (16 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 93: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he has taken to monitor the implementation of circular 31/2011 with respect to the employment of retired teachers in substitution posts. [9076/12]

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (16 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 94: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has collated data on the number of retired teachers hired by schools prior to circular 31/2011; and the number hired by schools thereafter. [9077/12]

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (16 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 95: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if boards of management are currently required to report to him each time the school hires a retired teacher and to certify that all reasonable steps were taken to offer the post to an unemployed teacher who is not in receipt of a pension. [9078/12]

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (16 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 92: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide the most recent figures available regarding the percentage of staff hired in substitute teaching positions who are paid at the unqualified rate. [9075/12]

Written Answers — Third Level Education: Third Level Education (16 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 97: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the recent discussion paper by the Higher Education Authority on the future of higher education; and the likely timescale for decisions on the structures that are likely to emerge. [9109/12]

Written Answers — Hospital Staff: Hospital Staff (15 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 24: To ask the Minister for Health the number, if any, of maternity staff in Holles Street hospital, the Mid-Western Regional Hospital and elsewhere who will be re-employed following the conclusion of the early retirement scheme at the end of February; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8350/12]

Written Answers — Family Support Services: Family Support Services (14 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 67: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views that the child and family support agency will not be independent from the new Health Service Executive directorate; if she remains committed to establishing the agency independent from the main health service organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8118/12]

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (14 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 262: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers at primary level and at second level who are expected to retire by the end of February 2012; the number that will be re-employed up to the end of the current school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8473/12]

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Status: Disadvantaged Status (14 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 237: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects his Department to report to him on the impact of the withdrawal of posts under DEIS; when he proposes to make decisions in relation to the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8028/12]

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Status: Disadvantaged Status (14 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 263: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the concern in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 11 in relation to the proposed changes to DEIS which would adversely affect a number of schools; when the DEIS review is likely to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8479/12]

Written Answers — Third Level Institutions: Third Level Institutions (14 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 238: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the Higher Education Authority have yet submitted to him the criteria in relation to the establishment of technological universities; when this report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8029/12]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (14 Feb 2012)

Brendan Smith: Question 358: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will have the views of a council in relation to the community employment scheme given consideration (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8414/12]