Results 10,041-10,060 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (25 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy may be aware, the report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector recommended that demand for patronage diversity should be met in areas of stable population by divesting patronage of existing schools where there is evidence of parental demand for change. In 2012/13, my Department undertook surveys of parental preferences in 44...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Funding (25 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: It is presumed that the educational funding to which the Deputy refers relates to the Clinical Psychologist Traineeship programme operated within the Health Service Executive. As the Deputy may be aware my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is a school-based educational psychological service to all first and second level schools.  The NEPS mission is to...

Shortage of Teachers: Motion [Private Members] (24 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: Indeed they are. I can provide the Deputy with the data if he is interested.

Shortage of Teachers: Motion [Private Members] (24 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: In addition, as he probably saw, the recent graduate survey by the Higher Education Authority found that 73% of graduate teachers are being placed in jobs in Ireland. That is a substantial increase over the past few years. More young graduates are getting jobs in Ireland and the numbers emigrating are falling. Significant numbers are studying science, which is a very important area for the...

Shortage of Teachers: Motion [Private Members] (24 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following:“recognises the vital role that the teaching profession plays in Irish society; welcomes this Government’s ongoing commitment to providing for an adequate supply of teachers to meet the needs of schools; notes that:— as part of the Government’s...

Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: Under the PPP contract, there are clear obligations on the parties in the event of a liquidation, as has occurred here. The NDFA is the Government's agent dealing with the contracting parties, in this instance the DIF. Both the NDFA and the DIF have indicated that they are fully committed to working out the issues involved here. As the Taoiseach and others have pointed out, we have not...

Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: It has been indicated that it will take some time to work through that. Both the DIF, representing the contractor, and the NDFA have indicated that they are fully committed to working through this as quickly as possible.

Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: The Taoiseach dealt with the question very well earlier. There are a couple of points worth making. If this was a traditional build the State would have spent its money and we would not have the same level of hold. The position with the PPP contract, as Deputy Howlin pointed out, is that until they get a licence agreement they do not get any money back for the substantial investment - at...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: DEIS Applications (24 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 83 together. There is no application process for DEIS therefore schools are not required to apply for assessment in DEIS. Every primary and post-primary school was assessed as part of the DEIS Identification process provided under DEIS Plan 2017. Full details of the methodology used is available at A further assessment of all schools is currently...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (24 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: The school building projects which are referred to by the Deputy are at Tender Award Stage. It is expected that a contract will be awarded in the first quarter of 2018 and work will commence on site. The construction period is 12 months with anticipated occupation of the permanent accommodation by the schools in Q1 2019. My officials have been in contact with the schools concerned recently to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (24 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: The acquisition of a site to accommodate a permanent building for the school to which the Deputy refers is at a very advanced stage and the conveyancing process is underway. 

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (24 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: Projects in Cork Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Tralee have been identified for inclusion in the Higher Education PPP Programme announced recently. These critical investments on existing campuses will help drive the Munster Technological University (MTU) proposal forward. We have received a submission regarding the building referred to by the Deputy.  We have...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (24 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: In July 2017 the Stage 2b (Detailed Design) was approved, pending the completion of the process to carry out a shortlisting of suitably qualified building contractors and sub-contractors. The Prequalification process to select the shortlist of contractors is nearing completion. Once completed the Department will be issuing an authorisation for this project to proceed to tender stage.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Capitation Grants (24 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: The estimated cost of increasing the rate of capitation by €8 per pupil in primary schools is circa €4.7m. The estimated cost of increasing the rate of capitation by €14 per pupil in post-primary schools is circa €5.1m. I recognise the need to improve capitation funding for schools having regard to the reductions that were necessary over recent years. Budget 2018...

Seanad: Business of Seanad: Schools Building Projects Status (23 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I can understand what a frustrating experience it is for any school that is struggling.My Department is planning on delivering 20,000 school places every year. We are facing the need to meet very strong population challenges across both primary and secondary level. It is a challenging area for my capital Department. On the wider issue of the...

Seanad: Business of Seanad: Schools Building Projects Status (23 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: Unfortunately, I cannot give any such projection because every project genuinely does differ. There can be delays in a planning process or a design team. There can be issues around reconsidering some elements of the design when it is seen. There can be issues around tender. It is a process we have to go through and I would only be misleading the Senator if I said one phase will take X...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (23 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: A building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s current 6 year construction programme. Officials from my Department have been working with Galway County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of school sites in order to identify and procure a suitable site for the school.  A number of potential site options have...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (23 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy is aware, a project for the school in question is included on my Department's 6 year Construction Programme. A site is required to facilitate the construction of a permanent school building and officials from my Department continue to work closely with the local authority under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of school sites in order to identify and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (23 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: My Department understands that the lands referred to by the Deputy are associated with the development of a new primary care centre in Wexford town. I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is currently liaising with the school authority in question relating to the school's accommodation needs.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Physical Education Facilities (23 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: Two new physical education elements at senior cycle will be introduced to schools on a phased basis from September 2018: 1. Leaving Certificate Physical Education (an optional subject for examination in the Leaving Certificate); 2. A Senior Cycle Physical Education Framework (not for examination). As part of the process of identifying schools to participate in Phase 1 of the implementation of...