Results 10,681-10,700 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (19 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 32 together. I announced in the house on 11th January that my Department will be reporting to me within four weeks on the impact of the withdrawal of certain posts allocated under previous disadvantaged schemes in DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 primary schools, following concerns raised by some schools with me that will be adversely affected by these budget...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (19 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 33 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that there are no plans to cut the overall number of learning support/resource teachers provided to schools under the General Allocation Model (GAM). The Deputy has misunderstood the changes that will be made to the General Allocation Model. GAM allocations for primary schools will be updated from September...

Written Answers — School Patronage: School Patronage (19 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The existing designated community college model is one in which the VEC is the sole patron but colleges are "designated" as being of a particular denomination due to the composition of the Board of Management and the provision of other supports. The current community school model involves joint patronage between the VEC and one or more denominational patrons. Developing the existing...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (19 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 38, 41 and 91 together. All schools must continue to provide guidance to their pupils. However, from September 2012 guidance provision will be managed by schools from within their standard staffing allocation. As things currently stand and before any changes are made, 42% of second level schools do not presently have a full-time guidance counsellor....

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (19 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Work on the drafting of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill is at an advanced stage and I hope to be in a position to publish the Bill in the coming weeks. When the Bill is published I will arrange for copies to be provided to the various survivor groups and I will of course be happy to receive any comments from former residents and anyone else in relation to its contents. In...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (19 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 57 together. The staffing schedule at primary level disproportionately benefits small primary schools. It is worth noting that we have 3,200 primary schools across Ireland. Over two thirds of those schools have more than 86 pupils and, as a result, have far higher average class sizes than all of the schools affected by this measure. For example a two...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (19 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Significant support is given to schools by way of language support provision. The level of extra teaching support provided in respect of language support to any school is determined by the numbers of eligible pupils enrolled and the associated assessed levels of those pupils' language proficiency. There are circa 920 full-time teaching posts in respect of English as an additional language...

Written Answers — School Uniforms: School Uniforms (19 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: In accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. Individual school authorities are responsible for the drawing up of a school policy in relation to the wearing of school uniforms. However, my Department recommends that the formulation of such a school policy should allow for prior consultation with...

Written Answers — Equality Issues: Equality Issues (19 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: As with all Government Departments, when considering changes to legislation governing funding and changes in policy my Department complies with the procedures as outlined in the Cabinet Handbook. These require that where proposals for legislation relate to matters on which Government policy has not already been laid down or where they involve a new development or a material departure from...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (19 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: It is not envisaged that a Minor Works Grant to primary schools will be issued in 2012 for the school year 2012/2013. The grant for the school year 2011/2012 was issued last November at a cost of €28m. The focus of my Department's capital allocation for the school sector in 2012 is on major school projects and smaller projects devolved to schools to meet demographic demands.

Written Answers — Third Level Charges: Third Level Charges (19 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The reality of our economic situation presents significant challenges that have to be reconciled with limitations on public resources. Ireland must adhere to its agreed economic recovery programme in order to reduce the budget deficit to 3% of GDP by 2015 and to restore our independence. This will mean that forthcoming budgets will involve further adjustments in taxation and public spending....

Written Answers — School Closures: School Closures (19 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: There has been no decision to close small schools. However, the reality is that the staffing schedule at primary level disproportionately benefits small primary schools. It is worth noting that we have 3,200 primary schools across Ireland. Over two thirds of those schools have more than 86 pupils and, as a result, have far higher average class sizes than all of the schools affected by this...

Written Answers — Teachers' Remuneration: Teachers' Remuneration (19 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The position of teachers who, on 5 December 2011, were undertaking courses will be considered in the context of the public service-wide review of allowances announced in Budget 2012 which is being led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I am aware that undertaking any course of further or higher education requires a high level of commitment and financial investment. In common...

Written Answers — Teaching Qualifications: Teaching Qualifications (19 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 48 together. The Professional Development Service for Teachers is charged with leading the teacher support element of the Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life strategy. An integrated plan to support the strategy has been developed by the PDST and the other support services. Thus far seminars have been held for all school leaders which outline the...

Written Answers — Student Support Schemes: Student Support Schemes (19 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: While the areas of responsibility referred to are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, student supports come under my remit. I appreciate the Deputy's concerns. However, this Government has had to take difficult and unpalatable decisions under Budget 2012. For this reason, unfortunately, less support will be available to some students going to college...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (19 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I personally met with school principals, teachers, parents and communities in recent weeks, to hear their concerns and clarify the position in relation to changes announced under Budget 2012 to posts allocated to schools under previous schemes to tackle educational disadvantage. I have also held many meetings with my Government colleagues, who have also met with schools, teachers, parents in...

Written Answers — Stay Safe Programme: Stay Safe Programme (19 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The Stay Safe Programme is funded by my Department and the Health Services Executive. The Programme received approximately €172,000 in 2011 of which €120,000 was allocated by my Department. This funding covers salaries, materials and programme delivery costs. Funding for the programme is allocated following consultations with the Programme provider, the Professional Development Service...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (19 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The total number of primary teachers who have applied for probation since September 2011 is 2,052. The number of primary teachers who successfully completed the probationary process during the 2010/11 academic year was 1,976.

Written Answers — Educational Projects: Educational Projects (19 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I would like to acknowledge the important sponsorship, both financial and in human resource input provided by BT to the Young Scientist competition. Industry in Ireland has engaged extensively with education at all levels. The Discover Science programme, the Engineers Ireland STEPS programme, Smart Futures, Chemistry in the Classroom, ICT Champions, are all examples of programmes supported...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Status: Disadvantaged Status (19 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I announced in the house on 11th January that my Department will report to me within four weeks on the impact of the withdrawal of these posts 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 September 2011. In addition, the report will take account of the net effect of...