Results 10,241-10,260 of 18,325 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Departmental Strategy Statements: Departmental Strategy Statements (27 Sep 2011)

Brendan Smith: Question 176: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has submitted a strategy statement to him, as specified under the 1997 Public Service Management Act; and if so, if he will publish this statement. [26406/11]

Job Protection (22 Sep 2011)

Brendan Smith: It will be fine if it is circulated later to Members. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, for his response. He made some comments recently with regard to the industrial development agencies in general and the IDA in particular and I share the views he expressed. I note his statement today referred to the success of the financial services industry and the inward investment in...

Institutes of Technology (22 Sep 2011)

Brendan Smith: Question 1: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is considering the re-designation of institutes of technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25609/11]

Institutes of Technology (22 Sep 2011)

Brendan Smith: This question is of the utmost importance, particularly for the south east in view of the very disappointing news of the major loss of employment in Waterford with the closure of the TalkTalk facility. When does the Minister expect the HEA to sign off on the relevant performance criteria? Will he encourage the institutes of technology to work together to achieve university status? Is that...

Institutes of Technology (22 Sep 2011)

Brendan Smith: Does the Minister expect the criteria to be forwarded to him by December?

Institutes of Technology (22 Sep 2011)

Brendan Smith: All of us are conscious of the linkage between the provision of higher education, whether at institute of technology, further education or university level, and commercial activity. The needs of the south east are pressing. Will it be the Minister's role to sign off on the criteria subsequent to the HEA submitting them to his Department? Does he expect to be in a position, in the spring,...

Further Education and Training (22 Sep 2011)

Brendan Smith: Question 4: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in establishing SOLAS; when he expects this process to be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25610/11]

Further Education and Training (22 Sep 2011)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I had the opportunity at the committee and elsewhere the welcome the Government decision to establish SOLAS and to give the further education sector a particular entity of its own. Surely urgency is not being attached to the establishment of SOLAS if the implementation group meets at three weekly intervals. I know that constant meetings just for...

Further Education and Training (22 Sep 2011)

Brendan Smith: I did not for one moment suggest that the different interest groups are unhappy with the proposal as it is my understanding that they welcome it. The Minister of State did not mention that a CEO was participating in the group. It is not always the case that a small group can achieve more. It is important that all interests are represented. It is not a matter of deciding that half a dozen...

Further Education and Training (22 Sep 2011)

Brendan Smith: Speaking on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I do not believe the Houses of the Oireachtas will delay the proposals, which I am sure other parties will also support.

Residential Institutions Redress Board (22 Sep 2011)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. I think it was in July that we discussed that legislation, which was taken through the House by the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon. What the Minister says is correct; the process has been ongoing for a number of years. When we were discussing that legislation on Second Stage and Committee Stage, I asked whether provision could be made, with the...

Residential Institutions Redress Board (22 Sep 2011)

Brendan Smith: During the discussion on the legislation, I asked the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, if he could ask the officials of the redress board to ensure the final closing date of 16 September would be widely publicised outside our own island. Does the Minister have available to him the number of those applications that came from outside our own jurisdiction?

Residential Institutions Redress Board (22 Sep 2011)

Brendan Smith: At that time, in discussions with the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, I asked that the Irish network abroad, through the different representative associations, would engage with this because they might know from among their membership people who might be potential applicants. That would be better than depending on lawyers and advertising to propagate the closing date.

School Transport (22 Sep 2011)

Brendan Smith: Given the implementation of the rule that the child will only be eligible for transport to the nearest school, will siblings be able to avail of transport to a school where older family members are attending? We do not want a situation where the children in a family are going to two different primary schools.

Special Educational Needs (22 Sep 2011)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. Do I understand him correctly that the NCSE is reviewing the allocation to all special schools?

Special Educational Needs (22 Sep 2011)

Brendan Smith: I presume the remaining approvals that can issue, in total 475, are applicable to all primary schools?

Special Educational Needs (22 Sep 2011)

Brendan Smith: As the school year proceeds, can we be sure there will be no inordinate delay in ensuring that SNAs are approved and put in place as soon as possible where the relevant criteria are met? Deputy Crowe inquired about a school in County Kildare. I am aware of the case in question because I have received correspondence in respect of it. I know the parents involved and also one of the children...

Special Educational Needs (22 Sep 2011)

Brendan Smith: The primary school-going population changes very little after Hallowe'en. If, therefore, the Minister approved appointments in respect of 99.99% of the 475 positions, I do not believe he would be straying outside the terms of the employment control framework. The earlier approvals issue the better. This matter is of the utmost importance to the children and families involved.

Teaching Qualifications (22 Sep 2011)

Brendan Smith: When the results of the survey become available, will the Minister of State be in a position to ensure schools will no longer be able to hire unqualified maths teachers? Will the programme of upskilling and the opportunity to gain additional qualifications be mandatory for maths teachers who do not, per se, possess a degree in the subject?

Teaching Qualifications (22 Sep 2011)

Brendan Smith: I accept what the Minister of State said. Does he have faith in this hastily arranged survey undertaken by the Teaching Council? I understand only 30% of schools actually responded to the survey. Does the Minister of State accept evidence from that number of schools as a good snapshot of the overall position? Is it correct that when Project Maths was launched, funding was provided in...