Results 10,321-10,340 of 18,325 for speaker:Brendan Smith
- Written Answers — School Books: School Books (7 Jul 2011)
Brendan Smith: Question 37: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress, if any, made following his meeting with book publishers in relation to the need to reduce the costs of school books; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19172/11]
- Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (7 Jul 2011)
Brendan Smith: Question 87: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will give a commitment to protect class sizes in this years budget following recent figures from his Department which indicate a greater than expected increase in student numbers between now and 2017. [19412/11]
- Special Educational Needs (7 Jul 2011)
Brendan Smith: The Minister made the point earlier that there had been an increase of 1,000% in the number of special needs assistants in schools. He also said there were 60,000 primary teachers and 10,000 special needs assistants. It might be useful to know how these compare with the figures for primary level education in other countries in the European Union. Deputy Crowe has referred to a lack of...
- School IT Systems (7 Jul 2011)
Brendan Smith: There has been a major IT investment in primary and secondary schools over the past four or five years in particular. In schools that I have had the opportunity to visit, it is great to see good suites of hi-tech equipment. Will the Minister consider the possibility that progressive VECs could have a role in providing support services for our primary schools? It is already happening in my...
- School Transport (7 Jul 2011)
Brendan Smith: I welcome the Minister of State's statement that school breaks will be standardised. However, we have heard this before. A number of years ago, a predecessor of the Minister, Deputy Quinn, was forceful on that issue. I understood - I am open to correction on this - that immediately following the then Minister's announcement school breaks were standardised. However, this has lapsed in the...
- School Transport (7 Jul 2011)
Brendan Smith: I welcome the Minister of State's commitment. This should be strictly enforced. The Minister of State mentioned that school transport costs â¬1 million per day and that his Department must save more than â¬70 million over a four year period. A considerable amount of that â¬70 million could be achieved by practical measures. I have previously tabled questions to the Minister of State in...
- School Enrolments (7 Jul 2011)
Brendan Smith: Question 1: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the impact that Census 2011 will have on his Department's school building programme; the likely impact on teaching numbers at both primary and post primary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19410/11]
- School Enrolments (7 Jul 2011)
Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. I am pleased to hear that the Department's projections are up to date and in line with the preliminary census findings. We all welcome the 8% increase in the population of the State since 2006 that was highlighted in the preliminary findings. I was glad to hear that the population of my own county, which is very rural, has increased by 14%. It is very...
- School Enrolments (7 Jul 2011)
Brendan Smith: I would like to have personal access to any data the Minister can make available to the Opposition.
- School Enrolments (7 Jul 2011)
Brendan Smith: It is very good that the system has been put in place. Are difficulties arising because mature areas have surplus primary and post-primary accommodation? Such areas may be contiguous to developing areas. Is it possible for such additional accommodation to be used to cater for emerging needs?
- School Staffing (7 Jul 2011)
Brendan Smith: Question 4: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has satisfied himself that only qualified registered teachers will be employed in approved teaching posts in schools from September 2011; and the response to date from schools following a recent Department circular on teacher recruitment registration and qualifications. [19411/11]
- School Staffing (7 Jul 2011)
Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. I had the opportunity to state in this House previously that it is not good enough that there are young teachers struggling to get work and yet schools around the country are hiring retired persons to fill substitute positions. I welcome the fact the Minister issued, relatively recently, as did his predecessor, Ms Mary Coughlan, a circular to schools...
- School Staffing (7 Jul 2011)
Brendan Smith: I welcome the Minister's comments. He indicated some time ago that he would ask his officials to examine the pension consequences for retirees returning to teach. If he has it available, he might let us know the outcome of that examination by his officials. He quite rightly outlined that teachers must be registered and qualified and only in exceptional circumstances should a retired person...
- Vocational Education Committees (7 Jul 2011)
Brendan Smith: Did I pick up the Minister correctly when he stated it would involve nine separate tranches of legislation?
- Vocational Education Committees (7 Jul 2011)
Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for the clarification. I welcome the rationalisation of the vocational education committees. I have taken a consistent approach in this regard. I am a strong defender of and a believer in the value of the VEC system and what it has done for education since 1932. Better synergies can be had from stronger entities. I hope I will not have to disagree with the Minister...
- Vocational Education Committees (7 Jul 2011)
Brendan Smith: Will consideration be given in the legislation to give further education a particular identity? Generally, it is appended to second level education. It amounts to a misnomer at this stage in view of the great success of post-leaving certificate courses, PLCs, and the colleges of further education. I am keen for consideration to be given to this in the context of the legislation that the...
- Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (6 Jul 2011)
Brendan Smith: Question 91: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the staffing requirements of a primary school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 will be given further detailed and urgent consideration in view of the concerns of the board of management and the principal in relation to the proposed reduction in staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19084/11]
- Health Services (5 Jul 2011)
Brendan Smith: I thank the office of the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this important matter on the Adjournment. I appreciate that the Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, is here to reply. For many decades there was a GP service in Ballinagh, County Cavan, where I understand from local residents a quality GP service was always delivered. In recent years the service was provided by Dr. Prior and...
- Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (5 Jul 2011)
Brendan Smith: Question 252: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to co-ordinate transport services between school transport, rural transport and Health Service Executive transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18583/11]
- Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (5 Jul 2011)
Brendan Smith: Question 253: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the savings that will accrue this year from the implementation of ten as the eligible number of children to retain or establish a school transport service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18584/11]