Results 11,361-11,380 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (10 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I have endorsed the broad thrust of the proposals on junior cycle reform submitted to me by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment in October 2011 following an extensive consultation process. They are underpinned by 24 statements of learning which all students will be expected to achieve, either through the study of subjects or short courses. I have asked my officials to begin...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (10 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department has requested the assistance of the Office of Public Works (OPW) in relation to the proposed restoration of the property referred to by the Deputy. I am advised that the OPW has tendered for the services of a conservation architect and this appointment will be made soon. The brief for the restoration of the building will take account of a number of relevant factors including...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (10 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: At this point I do not propose to give any specific commitment on the allocation of teachers to schools for the 2012/13 school year. The number of teaching posts that we can afford to fund in schools is a matter that I will have to consider with my colleagues in Cabinet in the context of the next budget and meeting our obligations under the EU/IMF Programme. The Government will endeavour to...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (10 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy may be aware, there are 55 fee-charging schools in the State. Fee-charging schools do not receive capitation grants or related supports. The only current funding provided to fee-charging schools by my Department in 2011 is the Assistive Technology grant for students with particular special educational needs. Almost €16,000 was paid to fee-charging schools in respect of this...

Written Answers — Schools Recognition: Schools Recognition (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: It is understood that the Deputy's question refers to the ABA pilot scheme which was funded by my Department for the past decade. All of the centres which participated in this scheme have been granted recognition as special schools for children with autism. These schools will operate in line with my Department's policy. Following their recognition the new schools are currently progressing...

Written Answers — English Language Students: English Language Students (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: According to the annual survey of approved language schools carried out by Fáilte Ireland, an estimated 96,250 overseas English language students studied in Ireland in 2010. The following number of English language students studied in Ireland in 2010 (or 2009, where current figures are not available): Japan: 2,000 South Korea: 3,100 China: 2,098 (2009 figures) Taiwan: 89 (2009 figures)...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports. This includes the allocation of resource teaching hours to schools as well as the establishment of special classes,...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (9 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. This is a very stark reality, which, unfortunately, means that changes to any public service, including the student grant scheme, cannot be ruled out. I empathise with students and I am very conscious of the fundamental role played...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (9 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. This is a very stark reality, which, unfortunately, means that changes to any public service, including the student grant scheme, cannot be ruled out. I empathise with students and I am very conscious of the fundamental role played...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for determining the appropriate staffing levels in relation to the support of pupils with special educational needs in mainstream and special schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's policy in allocating this support. The staffing of special schools is determined by reference to the...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy will be aware the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is an independent agency with responsibility for determining the appropriate staffing levels in relation to the support of pupils with special educational needs in mainstream and special schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's policy in allocating this support. Circular 0042/2011 provides information to...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now...

Written Answers — Third Level Courses: Third Level Courses (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 to 84, inclusive, together. The Government is strongly committed to promoting Ireland as a centre for international education. The Programme for Government sets out an ambitious target of doubling international student numbers over the coming five years, through full implementation of the international education strategy, Investing in Global Relationships....

Written Answers — Third Level Facilities: Third Level Facilities (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 to 87, inclusive, together. The detailed information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. However, the Higher Education Authority has commenced an exercise to assess the efficiency of utilisation of existing higher education space with a view to determining whether spare capacity exists within the sector critically during holidays, night-time,...

Written Answers — Third Level Expenditure: Third Level Expenditure (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in the Department, however, the Higher Education Authority has been requested to contact each institution seeking a response and I will forward the available data to you as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Third Level Courses: Third Level Courses (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 90 together. Universities and Institutes of Technology are autonomous institutions within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997 and the Institutes of Technology Act 2006 and my Department does not have any function in relation to their academic affairs, including decisions concerning course provision. This kind of autonomy is a hallmark of a high...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Government is taking measures to reduce salary costs at the highest levels across the public sector through the application of salary ceilings. We are also committed to delivery on the public service reforms agreed under Croke Park. Policy on rates of pay in the Education sector forms part of wider public pay policy, including related commitments and reforms under the Croke Park...

Written Answers — Departmental Research: Departmental Research (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I refer the deputy to the following document which has been prepared by the Higher Education Authority, and which seeks to outline and compare the salary levels of academic staff in Irish universities with those in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. Academic Pay Scales in Ireland and Other Countries This note seeks to outline and compare the salary levels of academic staff in...

Written Answers — Teaching Qualifications: Teaching Qualifications (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The recognition of teacher qualifications in this State is a matter for the Teaching Council, the body with statutory responsibility for establishing and maintaining standards in the teaching profession. While it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in individual cases, I have forwarded the Deputy's correspondence on to the Teaching Council for a direct reply.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Nov 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy may be aware that the project to which she refers was tendered in 2009 and a preferred bidder was identified to do the works. Unfortunately a number of issues outside of my Department's control delayed the progression of this project. However, I am pleased to inform you that most of these issues have now been resolved. Provided there are no further issues, it is intended that the...