Results 10,561-10,580 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I have seen that in every case I have encountered over a number of years. The Revenue Commissioners are relentless in pursuing the legitimate taxes that are owed by companies.

Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I outlined the position to the Deputy's colleague, Deputy Declan Breathnach, yesterday. This is a grant that has been paid in most years but is not an automatic payment. The situation is that we are reviewing our capital budgets. There is huge pressure coming from the need to provide 20,000 additional places every year. The Department is reviewing the position to see what would be the...

Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy may not want a list, but well over 80 items are being pursued vigorously to try to address this issue. Among these is planned additional extra emergency accommodation before Christmas that will be available to ensure no one has to be on the streets over that period. As the Deputy rightly pointed out, the Housing First initiative is being rolled out and a new co-ordination group...

Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I understand it is awaiting Committee Stage, but I do not have more detail at this point on what amendments are necessary for Committee Stage. I will seek to get confirmation.

Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I regret to say I do not have that information to hand. I have no doubt there is a lot of work going into this, but I do not know the timing of when that report will be made available to the House.

Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I suggest that a parliamentary question might be the best way. I know there is a European directive-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: The Minister will come in and answer directly to the Deputy.

Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: There is a European directive, as the Deputy knows, which has to be implemented. There is an onus to identify a compliance authority and the Minister will have to be satisfied that whatever appointment he makes is a robust appointment that will deal with this important consideration.

Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I understand the Minister of State, Deputy Michael D'Arcy, has been working on this, and he made an announcement on progress in more than 33 initiatives put in place to tackle the cost of insurance. It is a complex issue, but I know this claims data is a high priority. I will revert to the Deputy to get a clear timescale for the legislation.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: My Department fully funded the provision of a new 12 classroom building for the school to which the Deputy refers, which the school moved into in April 2015.  Subsequently, in late 2016, the school referred to submitted an application for additional accommodation due to increases in pupil enrolments.  The application was processed, having regard to the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Functions (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: In accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the appointment of a Board of Management of a school is a matter for the relevant school patron. Section 16 of the Education Act provides that where a patron is satisfied that the functions of a Board are not being effectively discharged, the patron may, subject to the consent of the Minister and following issuing a notice of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Management (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: Under Section 15 of the Education Act it is the duty of a board of management of a school to manage the school on behalf of the patron. It is a matter for the patron of a school to determine how they address any complaints that may be brought to their attention. Section 16 of the Education Act provides that the patron may, with the consent of the Minister, for good and valid reasons...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: The major building project for Clonakilty Community College has reached an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2B, which includes the preparation of tender documents. In June 2017, the Department gave approval to the school authorities to have their Design Team commence the process of Pre-Qualification of Contractors.  This process is still ongoing and my Department is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Management (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: In accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the appointment of a Board of Management of a school is a matter for the relevant school patron. The mechanisms under which a Board of Management member may be removed are as follows: Section 16 of the Education Act provides that a patron may, with the consent of the Minister, for good and valid reasons stated in writing to a...

Topical Issue Debate: Minor Works Scheme (29 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue and I know it is of significant concern. I have to put my cards on the table because we are working to very constrained capital budgets and have been through a period of very rapid population growth, which is very good fortune for us in one sense. We have to provide approximately 12,000 to 15,000 new places and 5,000 replacement places every year....

Topical Issue Debate: Minor Works Scheme (29 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I regret that I am currently not in a position to answer the Deputy on that issue. I understand he is saying this should be the top priority in the capital budget but if children had no school to attend next September, the Deputy would be clamouring about hopeless planning such that the Department cannot use its capital in order to ensure every child has a school place. We are trying to...

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: The Bill has been the subject of pre-legislative scrutiny at the joint committee and we are now proceeding to draft it.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (29 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 127 together. The Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school to which she refers is included on my Department's 6 Year Capital Programme.  The project, which will provide a new permanent school building, has been devolved to Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board for delivery. I understand that planning permission has...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (29 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that new schools are established to meet demographic demand. In general, the Department's policy is to integrate children with special educational needs into the mainstream school system wherever possible. Many of our schools have special education classes included within them. However, Special Schools are also necessary to meet the educational needs of pupils...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Tuition Scheme (29 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: The purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for (a) Early educational intervention for children with autism who meet the scheme's eligibility criteria (b) Students with special educational needs seeking an educational placement in a recognized school (c) Students enrolled in schools, with a significant medical condition which has caused, and...