Results 10,641-10,660 of 18,459 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Programme for Government (24 Mar 2011)

Brendan Smith: Does the Minister agree that the devolved programme, summer works programme and contingency programme have been very successful? I have seen schools in my constituency transformed by small amounts of grant aid. I urge the Minister to ensure these programmes are continued because they have given good value for money.

Literacy Levels (24 Mar 2011)

Brendan Smith: The Minister may have pre-empted me when he said a revision of the curriculum is necessary to ensure literacy and numeracy skills are adequate for primary school going children.

School Size (24 Mar 2011)

Brendan Smith: I endorse the words of my colleague, Deputy Robert Troy, regarding the great development of many small rural schools. The Minister for Education and Skills is familiar with my own county, stretching from Mount Nugent in east Cavan to Blacklion in west Cavan. In the past number of years, I have seen a huge transformation in small rural schools. They are a focal point in our communities. The...

School Staffing (24 Mar 2011)

Brendan Smith: Question 1: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the commitment in the Programme for National Recovery Plan 2010 - 2014 concerning additional posts in the education sector will be honoured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5639/11]

School Staffing (24 Mar 2011)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his response. This is my first public opportunity to wish the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, and the Minister of State, Deputy Ciarán Cannon, every success with the important work of the Department of Education and Skills. The programme for Government clearly states that the Government will endeavour to protect front line services. In...

School Staffing (24 Mar 2011)

Brendan Smith: The Minister mentioned how all Departments had their overall Estimates reduced. The 2011 provision for the Department of Education and Skills emerged relatively unscathed. Is the Minister committed to the maintenance of class sizes and the pupil-teacher ratio at their current levels and to the employment of primary and post-primary teachers to meet demographic needs? The Minister has only...

School Staffing (24 Mar 2011)

Brendan Smith: At this early stage, I assume the Minister is in a position to say whether he sees potential within the overall Croke Park agreement to meet efficiencies and achieve progress in this regard.

Education and Training Programmes (24 Mar 2011)

Brendan Smith: Question 4: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the additional training and education places provided for in Budget 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5640/11]

Education and Training Programmes (24 Mar 2011)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The Minister indicates in his reply that substantial provision was made in budget 2011 for further education, and training also through different methods including FÁS. The Minister rightly outlined the new additional initiatives announced in that budget including the €20 million multi-annual higher education labour market fund, the expanded...

Education and Training Programmes (24 Mar 2011)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his commitment to ensuring that adequate provision is made. Both the public and private sectors are too lethargic in availing of these schemes at different times and perhaps the Croke Park agreement could ensure that the blockages put in place in the past to slow progress in the public service could be availed of also. Could the Minister let me know if the Department...

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (1 Feb 2011)

Brendan Smith: I can advise the Deputy that the overriding concern in considering applications for temporary release is the safety of the public. The Criminal Justice Act, 1960, as amended by the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003 provides that the Minister may approve the temporary release of any sentenced prisoner, including prisoners of the nature described by the Deputy....

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (1 Feb 2011)

Brendan Smith: Applications for certificates of naturalisation from the persons referred to in the Deputy's Question were received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in February 2007 and my predecessor decided to defer making any final decision on both applications until January 2011. The persons concerned were notified of this and the reasons for it in letters issued on 2 September, 2009. The...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (1 Feb 2011)

Brendan Smith: There are no specific legislative regulations which apply to the use of batons by members of An Garda Síochána. All members of An Garda Síochána receive training in the use of batons before issue. The use of force is regulated by common law and disparate statutory provisions. At common law any person could use reasonable force in self defence, to effect an arrest or to prevent crime....

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (1 Feb 2011)

Brendan Smith: The person concerned arrived in the State on 12th July, 2006, and was granted permission to remain, on student conditions, until 29th July, 2008. She was subsequently granted permission to remain in the State for a four month period to enable a prospective employer to apply for a Work Permit on her behalf. My Department's records indicate that an application for a Work Permit was lodged with...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (1 Feb 2011)

Brendan Smith: A contract for the provision of the complete Garda operational uniform was awarded in 2008 and a contract for the provision of the Prison Officer uniform was awarded in 2009 by the National Procurement Service (formerly the Government Supplies Agency) following an EU competitive procurement process. I am advised that, for commercial competition reasons, it would not be appropriate to provide...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (1 Feb 2011)

Brendan Smith: A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in November 2006. The application is being processed in the normal way with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision...

Written Answers — Garda Vetting of Personnel: Garda Vetting of Personnel (1 Feb 2011)

Brendan Smith: The Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) provides employment vetting to organisations in Ireland registered with the Gardaí for this purpose and which employ persons in a full-time, part-time, voluntary or training capacity to positions where they would have substantial, unsupervised access to children and/or vulnerable adults. The employment vetting service provided by the Gardaí has been...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (1 Feb 2011)

Brendan Smith: The Road Traffic Act 2010 provides for preliminary impairment testing and the regulations to give effect to the relevant sections are being prepared. An implementation group, involving representatives from the Department of Transport, the Medical Bureau of Road Safety and An Garda Síochána, has been set up to prepare for the implementation of the programme and training will be provided in...

Written Answers — Prison Committals: Prison Committals (1 Feb 2011)

Brendan Smith: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to 2010 is currently being compiled and will be published in the Irish Prison Service Annual Report for 2010. However, I can inform the Deputy that the provisional figure (which is subject to change) for 2010 is 6,681 for fines. The corresponding figure for debt is 5. I can also advise the Deputy that the number of such persons actually...

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (1 Feb 2011)

Brendan Smith: I understand that the person to whom the Deputy refers has made a complaint in relation to this matter to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. The Ombudsman Commission is statutorily independent in its examination of complaints and I have no role in the matter.