Results 1,101-1,120 of 3,895 for speaker:John Halligan

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Enterprise Support Services Provision (7 Feb 2018)

John Halligan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 164, 166 and 169 together. Innovation is a cornerstone of Ireland’s overall economic development policy. It is key to maintaining competitiveness for Ireland in global markets, and for providing jobs and sustainable growth in our economy.  Supporting innovation is therefore a key pillar of Ireland’s enterprise and innovation policy....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (7 Feb 2018)

John Halligan: School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. Currently over 115,000 children, including almost 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,500 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually. The purpose of my...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Functions (7 Feb 2018)

John Halligan: The PRTLI was launched in 1998 and there have been 5 cycles of awards to date. The programme awards funding on a competitive basis to Higher Education Institutions to build underpinning research infrastructure, develop postgraduate research education, and develop sustainable, long-term and broadly-based research capability in key strategic research areas. The PRTLI has involved...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Workplace Relations Commission (6 Feb 2018)

John Halligan: SOLAS have informed my Department that they have fully accepted the recommendations of the Equality Officer and are implementing all of the recommendations made, including through the introduction of a comprehensive HR policy framework.  SOLAS will also be working with Education and Training Boards and other partners in the Further Education and Training (FET) sector...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (1 Feb 2018)

John Halligan: Apprenticeship is a demand driven educational and training programme, which aims to develop the skills of an apprentice in order to meet the needs of industry and the labour market. Consequently, the number of construction related apprentices being registered is determined by employers within the construction sector. My Department is committed to supporting the registration of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (1 Feb 2018)

John Halligan: The Government are currently expanding the number of apprenticeships on offer into a range of new sectors of the economy. Following two calls for apprenticeship proposals made by the Apprenticeship Council, there are new apprenticeships in development in occupations ranging from healthcare to hospitality to meet the skill needs of industry. To date nine new apprenticeships have...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (1 Feb 2018)

John Halligan: School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. Currently over 115,000 children, including almost 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,500 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually. The purpose of my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Post-Leaving Certificate Courses Availability (1 Feb 2018)

John Halligan: Last month I published the ESRI evaluation of the PLC programme along with the SOLAS response, which sets out 45 recommendations to address the findings of the evaluation and improve the quality of the learner experience, learner outcomes and overall programme efficiency. A SOLAS led PLC Programme Improvement Advisory Committee, comprised of PLC partners, will shortly be established...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Post-Leaving Certificate Courses (1 Feb 2018)

John Halligan: Last month I published the ESRI report along with the SOLAS response on the evaluation of the PLC programme. The ESRI report provides a solid evidence base to inform future policy development for the programme.  It will ensure that provision is planned to meets the needs of learners and employers, taking into account the changed context, particularly in the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Training Support Grant (1 Feb 2018)

John Halligan: I have been informed by Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board that the National Learning Network in Monaghan has contacted the individual concerned and the matter has now been remedied.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Agencies Staff Remuneration (1 Feb 2018)

John Halligan: I am not aware of any plan to introduce a higher payscale to LTI co-ordinators. On 21 March 2002, the Labour Court recommended that LTI community training supervisors should receive an increase in pay and that the total grant paid by FÁS to project sponsors for supervisor pay should be increased by 20%.Sponsors were to be advised that the total increased grant, less employers PRSI,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Data (1 Feb 2018)

John Halligan: Civil Servants are appointed to my Department following competitions conducted by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). Candidates are required to display that they hold certain skill sets that will enable them to carry out the duties associated with the Civil Service grade structures. There are no positions at my Department that would fall into the category of an apprentice and...

Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (31 Jan 2018)

John Halligan: I thank the Deputy for raising the matter as it provides me with the opportunity to clarify the status of the accommodation needs of two specials schools in Wexford, Our Lady of Fatima special school located in Wexford town and St. Patrick’s school in Enniscorthy. As the Deputy is aware, the building project for St. Patrick’s school is included in the Department’s...

Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (31 Jan 2018)

John Halligan: I refer back to Our Lady of Fatima school and the old primary care centre on Grogan's Road. The Department is aware of the site located there, but it believes, and the Deputy might be able to clarify this for me, that the site is required for the development of a new primary care centre in Wexford town. That is what we are being told. The Department is engaging with Our Lady of Fatima...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Redundancy Payments (30 Jan 2018)

John Halligan: As this matter dates back to 2007, and because of a number of changes regarding the responsibility for training programmes have occurred in the interim, records in relation to his issue are not readily to hand in my Department. However, I will ask SOLAS to engage with Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection regarding the matter and to respond to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (30 Jan 2018)

John Halligan: The BTEI conversion process is the subject of ongoing discussions between my Department, Education & Training Boards Ireland and the Teachers Union of Ireland.  Therefore, it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further at this stage.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Reports (30 Jan 2018)

John Halligan: The issues and recommendations highlighted in the National Competitiveness Council report are being considered by my Department. There is already work underway on all these issues. National Training Fund Review As part of budget 2018 I announced major reforms to the National Training Fund (NTF), which will address the recommendations outlined in National Competitiveness Council report....

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Horizon 2020 Strategy Funding (30 Jan 2018)

John Halligan: Ireland has won €475 million in Horizon 2020 to September 2017, the latest data release from the European Commission. Irish Higher Education Institutes have accounted for just under €255 million out of this funding, while industry won just over €160 million, of which €98.6 million was awarded to Irish SMEs. The Horizon 2020 programme areas with largest funding to...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Research Funding Data (30 Jan 2018)

John Halligan: The estimated spend on basic research in 2015 was €530 million, accounting for 17% of the total spend on R&D nationally. Of the €530 million spend on basic research, almost two thirds is performed in the Higher Education sector, 31% in the business sector and 4% in the Government sector. More detailed tables are attached. Table 1: Gross Expenditure on Research...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Competitiveness (30 Jan 2018)

John Halligan: A critical international measure of innovative activity is ‘R&D intensity’ (R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP).Global Innovation leaders all have high intensity rates such as Finland (3.18%), Denmark (2.98%) and Israel (4.29%). The UK has a rate of 1.68% of GDP. Ireland, meanwhile, has a rate of 1.51% of GDP.  As a result, it is very clear that...