Results 10,581-10,600 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — School Patronage: School Patronage (24 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 182, 181 and 183 together. In June 2011, I announced that 20 new primary and 20 new post-primary schools are to be established in the next six years across a number of locations. This announcement included a proposal to establish a new school in the area referred to by the Deputy. This school is to be established in September 2012. Under the application...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I can confirm that my Department has secured a site in the area referred to by the Deputy. The new site is intended for the construction of a new primary school for occupation by an existing nearby school. The next phase of the process will be the appointment of a design team to take the project through the stages of architectural planning. Officials from my Department will contact the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Responsibility for the delivery of this project was devolved to the Board of Management of the school in 2008 and the legal contract for the delivery of the works is between the Board of Management and a construction company that was contracted to deliver works at the school. I understand that agreement on a way forward has now been reached between the two parties.

Written Answers — Chaplaincy Services: Chaplaincy Services (24 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Chaplain posts are allocated in respect of Community and Comprehensive Schools and designated Community Colleges. There are currently 152 wholetime equivalent posts allocated in respect of chaplaincy services at a cost of approximately €9m for the 2011/2012 school year.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (24 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a third-level admissions scheme for students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The scheme is operated by a number of higher education institutions and not by my Department. Admissions to the institutions under this programme are regulated by the institutions themselves. Further details are available at www.accesscollege.ie. The...

Written Answers — Book Loan Scheme: Book Loan Scheme (24 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department has undertaken a survey of schools to establish the current situation regarding school book rental and loan schemes. This survey has recently been completed. When the results of this survey have been examined, I will consider how I might incentivise the introduction of book loan or rental schemes in schools that do not currently operate such schemes. I believe it is the most...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (24 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The announcement I made on the 11th January in relation to my Department reporting to me within four weeks refers only to the impact of the withdrawal of certain posts allocated under previous disadvantaged schemes in DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 primary schools. This report will detail the facts for each individual school affected by this measure, applying the most up to date enrolments for...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (24 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The application for a supplementary pension by the person to whom the Deputy refers is being processed by officials in the Pension Unit of my Department.

Written Answers — Teachers' Remuneration: Teachers' Remuneration (24 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 235 together. Circular 70/2011, which clarified the position on qualification allowances for teachers, schools and the public, was published on my Department's website on Friday, 16 December 2011. This Circular outlines the position in relation to existing teachers and those entering the profession on or after 5 December 2011. Individual teachers who...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (24 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The current cost of prefab rental at the school referred to by the Deputy is €48,448.40 per annum. With regard to the question of the projected cost of prefab rental between now and 2017, a review of the continued need for the temporary accommodation at all schools that are renting is conducted every two - three years. The next review for the school referred to by the Deputy is due from...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (24 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The Forward Planning Section of my Department has examined all areas of the country to determine where additional school provision will be required at both primary and post-primary level up to 2017. The data indicates that there will be a modest increase in enrolments at both primary and post-primary level in the Ballina area. However, it is anticipated that this increase may be catered for...

Written Answers — School Closures: School Closures (24 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I want to clarify for the Deputy that I have no intention to forcibly close any schools, in County Cork or elsewhere in Ireland , arising from the announcement I made on 5th December 2011. I would advise the Deputy to read the detail of that announcement, available on www.education.ie, so he can familiarise himself with what I actually announced in the Budget. The criteria under which...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (24 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 233 together. The new simplified approach to the General Allocation Model of support for schools will make it easier to automatically update it annually in line with the changes in the number of classroom teachers in each school. Schools will also have autonomy on how to deploy the resource between language support and learning support depending on...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (24 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department has asked the school, referred to by the Deputy, for further information relating to its application for permanent accommodation. When this information is received the application will be assessed and a decision on the matter will be conveyed to the school authority.

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (24 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has developed revised draft syllabuses in Leaving Certificate Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The Council has just completed a public consultation process on these drafts, and is currently finalising its advice to me, based on the feedback. I expect the revised syllabuses to be submitted to me with the Council's advice during this year. A...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the project to which he refers has commenced on site.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (24 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed that the student referred to by the Deputy made an application to City of Dublin VEC. The awarding authority have confirmed that a decision letter issued to the student on 19th January 2012.

Written Answers — Education Staff: Education Staff (24 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department is very conscious of the potential impact on service provision of the expected increase in retirements on or before 29 February 2012. The effective management of staffing resources within Employment Control Frameworks and/or the moratorium on public sector numbers is ongoing within each organisation in the education sector, through prioritisation of work and working practices....

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (24 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 203, 206, 227 to 229, inclusive, 237 and 238 together. At a time of great strain in our public finances, we have to ensure that the very valuable but limited resources available for the education system are used in the best way possible. The staffing schedule at primary level disproportionately benefits small primary schools. It is worth noting that we have...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (24 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The Works to which the Deputy refers were competitively tendered as is required under EU regulations. The Contractor appointed was deemed to have submitted the most economically advantageous tender when assessed against the criteria set out in the invitation to tender.