Results 11,141-11,160 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (23 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department is currently liaising with the school in relation to their application for additional accommodation. In this regard, my Department expects to be in a position to finalise its consideration of the matter and will be in further contact with the school shortly.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (23 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The leasing/renting of premises by agencies is the responsibility of individual agencies and is determined by their particular staffing and administrative needs. The information is not generally centrally collated. However, I attach relevant information in relation to the leasing/renting of premises from the private sector by agencies under my Department's aegis. This information was...

Written Answers — Vocational Education Committees: Vocational Education Committees (23 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: County Westmeath VEC has advised my Department that the annual rent payable on its headquarters premises is €118,300.

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (23 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will be aware that earlier this year, I launched a discussion paper on school enrolment. The document, "Discussion Paper on a Regulatory Framework for School Enrolment" contains suggestions on how to make the process of enrolling in schools more open, equitable and consistent. I wish to make clear that the paper was not meant to be prescriptive, nor have any decisions been made as...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (23 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I assume that the Deputy is referring to potential changes to the student grant scheme under Budget 2012. The Deputy will appreciate that as the preparation of the Estimates for any Budget is carried out on a strictly confidential basis, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on specific issues or proposals, including those relating to student grants, in advance of the Budget announcement.

Written Answers — Third Level Charges: Third Level Charges (23 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy will be aware, 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...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (23 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I assume the Deputy is referring to potential changes to the student grant scheme under budget 2012. The Deputy will appreciate that as the preparation of the Estimates for any budget is carried out on a strictly confidential basis, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on specific issues or proposals, including those relating to student grants, in advance of the budget announcement.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (23 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The person in question is not eligible for the immediate payment of any entitlements in respect of service as a teacher. The person in question retains entitlement to a preserved pension and preserved gratuity which will be payable, on application, when the person concerned reaches the age of 60.

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (23 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: A redundancy application from the person referred to by the Deputy was received by my Department on 17 October 2011. Applications are processed in date order of receipt and every effort is being made to process them as quickly as possible. Applications received in May and June 2011 are currently being processed. Extra resources have been assigned to the Redundancy Unit to ensure that...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (23 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: For the Deputy's information there are two bodies under the aegis of my Department that are classified as companies, namely Léargas Ltd and Skillnets Ltd. Léargas is a not-for-profit organisation that manages European, national and international exchange and cooperation programmes in education, training and youth and community work. Skillnets is a state funded, enterprise-led support body...

Written Answers — Vocational Education Committees: Vocational Education Committees (22 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: Vocational Education Committees (VECs) are not currently covered by the Freedom of Information Act. However, the Programme for Government provide that the Government will legislate to extend its remit to other public bodies. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is carrying out preparatory work to implement the above commitment, which includes consideration of the extension of the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (22 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The project referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning. The Deputy will note that this project was not included in the 2011 school building work programme announced earlier this year. Although planning permission has already been secured, there are still outstanding elements of the architectural planning process which must be completed before the...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (22 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department introduced an energy efficiency scheme in 2009 to improve roof and cavity wall insulation levels in school buildings across the country. The scheme which was implemented with the help of Sustainable Energy Ireland, allowed schools to apply for funding on a once-off basis to upgrade the fabric insulation in attics and the external cavity walls of their buildings. The closing date...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (22 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will appreciate that the preparation of the Estimates for any Budget is carried out on a strictly confidential basis. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on media speculation or on specific issues or proposals, including those relating to student grants, in advance of the Budget announcement.

Written Answers — Information Technology: Information Technology (22 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to respond to Questions Nos. 154 and 155 together. My Department does not currently lease any computer servers. In order to reduce ongoing costs my Department is currently undergoing a storage and virtualisation project, which will reduce the number of servers from 125 to around 25. This project is due for completion by the end of 2012. Prior to the commencement of this project the...

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (22 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: An application for redundancy from the person referred to by the Deputy was received by my Department on 9th September 2011. Applications are processed in date order of receipt and every effort is being made to process these applications as quickly as possible. Applications received in May/June 2011 are currently being processed. Extra resources have been assigned to the Redundancy Unit to...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (22 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to confirm to the Deputy that a proposal in relation to provision for mobility training at the school referred to by the Deputy has recently been made to my Department. This proposal is currently under active consideration and my Department will reply to the school in relation to this proposal in the near future.

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (22 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The school in question was allocated devolved funding for the provision of a mainstream classroom under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme in 2010. The school subsequently requested further funding to have additional works carried out. In light of the competing demands on the available budget; it is not possible to approve additional funding to have the works referred to by the...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (22 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department recently approved emergency funding for repairs to a gas leak at the school in question.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (22 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: An appeal was received in my Department on 9 November 2011 from the student referred to by the Deputy. The appeal is appropriate to the independent Student Grant Appeals Board and a decision will issue from the Board within the timeframe set out in the Student Support Act 2011, which is 60 days from the making of the appeal.