Results 10,121-10,140 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Leaders' Questions (18 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: There will be a further meeting of all stakeholders to make sure we are acting to the best of our ability in every area.

Leaders' Questions (18 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am aware that the removal of the anomalies in the pensions system is of acute concern. It is also a difficult task. As the Deputy knows, a disregard for home caring was introduced in 1994. Many people who opted out of the workforce in the years before 1994 have been severely affected by averaging. The averaging system is an embedded part of...

Leaders' Questions (18 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue which is undoubtedly one of the major challenges that we face as a country. Having been through the crisis that we experienced, we know for a fact that it was the phoney boom in property and housing that brought that crisis upon us. It is not entirely surprising, therefore, that the most difficult sector to fix is the one that dragged us down,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (18 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: Work is ongoing on collating the information sought in Parliamentary Question No. 193 of 2017. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it has been compiled.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (18 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school in question is included in my Department's 6 Year Construction Programme. The acquisition of a suitable site to facilitate the building project for the school's permanent accommodation is being finalised. This will facilitate the progression of the project into the architectural planning process and my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (18 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy may be aware, in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas. My Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. The GIS uses data from a range of sources, including the Central Statistics...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Data (18 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: My Department provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools which have enrolled students with special educational needs in order to ensure that wherever a child is enrolled, s/he will have access to an appropriate education. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) which is a separate independent statutory body, plans and co-ordinates the provision of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Catchment Areas (18 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 93 together. It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. In schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. In this regard a Board of Management may find it necessary to restrict enrolment to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (18 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy may be aware, the project to which she refers is included on my Department’s capital programme. A potential permanent site option has been identified and this is being progressed. There are a number of matters outstanding which need to be addressed and these are the subject of current discussions. The school patron will be kept informed of any...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (18 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that the position in relation to school admissions is that parents can choose which school to apply to and, where the school has places available, the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (18 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 98 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016 was published in July 2016. The Bill, which passed Committee Stage on 28thJune 2017 and will shortly proceed to Report Stage, is an important piece of legislation which strives to create a new more parent-friendly, equitable and consistent approach to how school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (18 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy is aware, the progression of a number of school building projects in Wexford, including Loreto Secondary School and Wexford C.B.S, as part of my Department's School Capital Investment Programme, will provide for increased capacity in the area. My Department continues to closely monitor the position in the Wexford area, taking into account the latest pupil enrolment data,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Contractors (18 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: I am aware that the company referred to by the Deputy entered compulsory liquidation earlier this week. It has been a 50% shareholder in Inspiredspaces, the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) responsible for the construction, finance, operation and maintenance of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Schools Bundle 5 programme. This programme will deliver 6 schools on 4 sites in Wicklow, Wexford,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (18 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 101 together. As a matter of policy, my Department does not fund patrons or patron bodies. My Department does, however, provide annual grants to the recognised management bodies at primary and post primary level to assist them in providing management support to the schools in their sectors. Management bodies provide important support services for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (18 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: The organisation to which the Deputy refers is the body recognised in statute as the body which collectively represents Education and Training Boards. It is not established in statute as a public body. Similar to the funding provided by my Department to school management bodies, an annual grant is provided as a contribution towards the annual general running costs of carrying out its core...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards Expenditure (18 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: I have asked my officials to provide me with the details from the ETBs involved of the two programmes outlined. I will provide the Deputy with the details when I have had an opportunity to consider them.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (18 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: Circular 37/2010 requires that schools' RSE policies are developed in consultation with teachers, parents/guardians, members of Boards of Management and students. The RSE policy should reflect the core values and ethos of the school as outlined in the school’s mission statement. Where spiritual, moral or ethical issues arise when teaching RSE, the school’s RSE policy should...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (18 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy may be aware, in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas. My Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. The GIS uses data from a range of sources, including the Central Statistics...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (18 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of the school referred to and the request for improved accommodation. In that regard, my Department is in ongoing contact with the school on the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Contractors (18 Jan 2018)

Richard Bruton: The company referred to by the Deputy has been a 50% shareholder in Inspiredspaces, the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) responsible for the construction, finance, operation and maintenance of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Schools Bundle 5 programme. This programme, part of the Government’s 2012 stimulus package, will provide 6 schools on 4 sites in Wicklow, Wexford, Meath and...