Results 10,561-10,580 of 18,459 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (12 May 2011)

Brendan Smith: Question 31: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if any analysis has been carried out, in view of the public money being expended on public service broadcasting, on the relative average cost per hour of producing and broadcasting one hours television on RTÉ 1, RTÉ 2 and TG4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10831/11]

Jobs Initiative 2011: Statements (Resumed) (12 May 2011)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the opportunity to make contribution on the jobs initiative announced by the Minister for Finance on Tuesday. Along with my Fianna Fáil colleagues, I welcome some of the initiatives while questioning some of the omissions and some of the measures that have been introduced. I welcome the emphasis on tourism, which is appropriate in view of the high profile visits to the country in...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (10 May 2011)

Brendan Smith: Question 46: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to introduce a single social assistance payment for all persons of working age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10435/11]

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (10 May 2011)

Brendan Smith: Question 156: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools that were approved funding under the summer works scheme 2010 in County Cavan; the number of applications received from County Cavan for the 2011 summer works scheme and the number approved for 2011. [10698/11]

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (10 May 2011)

Brendan Smith: Question 157: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools that were approved funding under the summer works scheme 2010 in County Monaghan; the number of applications received from County Monaghan for the 2011 summer works scheme and the number approved for 2011. [10699/11]

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (10 May 2011)

Brendan Smith: Question 265: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if approval will issue without further delay for a scheme (details supplied)in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10697/11]

Written Answers — Research Funding: Research Funding (5 May 2011)

Brendan Smith: Question 27: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the status of the programme for research in third-level institutions. [9885/11]

Written Answers — School Patronage: School Patronage (4 May 2011)

Brendan Smith: Question 41: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he envisages the vocational education committees having a greater role in the provision of primary education; and if he supports the community national school model. [9878/11]

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (4 May 2011)

Brendan Smith: Question 73: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of commitments in the programme for Government to cut the number of State bodies substantially, the State bodies or agencies in the education sector he believes could be abolished and the timeframe envisaged for same. [9933/11]

Special Educational Needs (4 May 2011)

Brendan Smith: Special schools such as the Holy Family school in Cootehill in my county or St. Raphael's in Celbridge, which has already been mentioned, cater for pupils with very complex and severe physical and intellectual disabilities. Are those schools exempt from the cap on their total SNA allocation?

School Patronage (4 May 2011)

Brendan Smith: I am not sure if the Minister mentioned the patron body for the Gaelscoileanna, which I believe is An Foras Pátrúnachta. Is support given to the general management body that works with the boards of management of Gaelscoileanna?

State Examinations (4 May 2011)

Brendan Smith: Question 16: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will detail the specific timeframe he is working to in relation to reform of second-level examinations; and if his proposals for Junior Certificate reform will include the commitment to make science a compulsory subject at Junior Certificate by 2014. [9877/11]

State Examinations (4 May 2011)

Brendan Smith: The Minister will agree that curriculum reform should result in a more active learning experience. A new post-primary junior cycle programme is required to reinvigorate the junior certificate. I hope the Minister will be able to move on these important issues as quickly as possible. I mentioned previously the need to complete the roll-out of project mathematics. Will he confirm that this...

Higher Education Grants (4 May 2011)

Brendan Smith: Question 4: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the changes he is examining in the assessment as opposed to the administration of student grants; and if he will consider the introduction of an additional category of near adjacent rate. [9931/11]

Higher Education Grants (4 May 2011)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. Will he indicate when the scheme for the next academic year will be published? Generally, it is published in May or June, but the earlier the better, as I know from my own experience as a Deputy. The Minister referred to the budgetary parameters within which he works and the parcel of money that is allocated for the higher education grant scheme. Having...

Higher Education Grants (4 May 2011)

Brendan Smith: The information may not be readily available now but can the Minister let me know as soon as possible when the scheme for 2011-12 will be published? I know from experience that the earlier it comes out the better in order to facilitate students and their parents. The Minister proposes to carry out a fundamental review of the entire student support grant scheme. When does he expect to have...

Higher Education Grants (4 May 2011)

Brendan Smith: With regard to the establishment of a new central processing agency, we should put on record our appreciation of the work of local authority and VEC officials over the years in assisting many families to draw down their due entitlements.

Employment Support Services (4 May 2011)

Brendan Smith: Question 7: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the Programme for Government's commitment to create additional training, work experience and education places will be included in the jobs initiative due to be published in May 2011. [9932/11]

Employment Support Services (4 May 2011)

Brendan Smith: The Minister, Deputy Ruarí Quinn, Deputy Seán Crowe and perhaps other Members of the House attended various teachers' conferences last week at which one of the major issues about which we heard was unemployment among graduates. We all know of the need to ensure that where job opportunities arise, people who are not retired and are genuinely seeking employment are given first refusal. The...

Employment Support Services (4 May 2011)

Brendan Smith: I agree with the Minister of State that it is not just a matter of placements; there must also be a qualitative approach. In many instances people who take up internships will bring new thinking and expertise to many public and private sector organisations which might not have had new entrants to the profession or workplace in recent times. They can bring new skills, expertise and thinking...