Results 11,781-11,800 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Institutes of Technology: Institutes of Technology (27 Sep 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 142 together. The National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 lays out a clear possible development pathway for amalgamated institutes of technology, which meet specified performance criteria, to seek re-designation as technological universities. A small number of new technological universities, with their own legislative framework and a distinct...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (27 Sep 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority. The eligibility of an applicant, or the level of the grant awarded, may be re-assessed by the awarding authority in the event of a change of circumstances in the academic year. The applicant should in the first instance contact the relevant awarding body and notify them of the change in...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (27 Sep 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: To date this Department has received seven applications from staff wishing to retire before 29th February 2012. Requests for information on retirement are received in Personnel Section on an ongoing basis. Although there has been a significant increase in requests for estimates of pension entitlements from staff in the last number of months there is no way of knowing at this time how many of...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (27 Sep 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy might wish to note that a site for the school campus to which she refers has been identified by Co. Wicklow VEC, however, it has not been possible to date to progress this proposed acquisition due to the complexities associated with the site identified. The progression of all large scale building projects, including a project for this school, from initial design stage through to...

Written Answers — School Books: School Books (27 Sep 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I recently met with educational book publishers, representatives of parents' organisations and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul regarding the cost of school textbooks. Subsequently, the publishers devised a voluntary Code of Practice and, while I welcome the Code as a significant step in the right direction, I believe that more should be done to reduce the price of textbooks. Accordingly. I...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (27 Sep 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: There are a number of measures currently being undertaken to prepare second level students for future employment and careers. At Junior Cycle, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) was asked to review the junior certificate and advise on the scope for reform which would provide for a more active learning experience for students, the promotion of real understanding,...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (27 Sep 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: Due to changes in the structure of the Vote for my Department over the period 2007-2011, total Education Expenditure for each of the years in question is not readily comparable. These changes include: The transfer out of the Education and Science Vote from 1 January 2009 of funding responsibility for various functions in relation to Youth Organisations and Youth Activities to the Office of...

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (27 Sep 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: Mock examinations are not part of the State examinations system. The decision to organise and/or charge for mock examinations is made at school level, and my Department does not have a role in the matter. Schools are provided with capitation and school services grants to meet their running costs. Post-primary schools receive school services grant of €201 per pupil plus a capitation grant...

Written Answers — Health and Safety Regulations: Health and Safety Regulations (27 Sep 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: When a school authority receives funding from my Department to carry out refurbishment works to their school building, they are advised of their responsibilities as Client for the project under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations, Statutory Instrument (S.I.) 504 of 2006. In particular school authorities are...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (27 Sep 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: Grant support is not available to students pursuing post-graduate courses outside of the island of Ireland. However, Section 473A, Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, as amended by Section 11 of the Finance Act 2011, provides for tax relief, at the standard rate of tax, for tuition fees paid in respect of approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including certain approved...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 Sep 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The major building project for this school was included in the list of projects announced in January of this year to "Complete Tender Documents and Expected to Tender in 2011". The design team are currently working on stage 2(b) of architectural planning which includes the application for Planning Permission, Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate (DAC) and the preparation of...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (27 Sep 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The student grant scheme includes provision for grants to eligible students pursuing full-time undergraduate courses of at least two years duration in publicly-funded institutions in other EU Member States. The student grant scheme is administered on behalf of my Department by local grant awarding authorities - local authorities and VECs - and students should apply to the grant awarding...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 Sep 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The building project for this school was listed in the School Building Works Programme announced on 24th January 2011 to commence the design team appointment process this year. The brief and schedule of accommodation has been prepared. It is anticipated that officials from my Department will be in contact with the school authorities shortly to commence the tender process for the appointment...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (27 Sep 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: To be eligible for a place on a Springboard course an applicant must have a previous history of employment, and at the time of starting a Springboard course must be unemployed and in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit or One Parent Family Payment or be signing for contribution credits. All applicants must be available for and actively seeking employment. In order to...

Written Answers — Teachers' Remuneration: Teachers' Remuneration (27 Sep 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together. Until 31st December 2010, a grant system operated which allowed the managerial authorities of special schools to claim from my Department the funding required to pay part-time specialist subject teachers employed in their schools. The teachers were paid by the managerial authorities. With effect from the 1st January this year, part-time...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (27 Sep 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: Part-time programmes are not eligible for support under the student grant or free fees scheme. However, tax relief, at the standard rate of tax, is available on third-level tuition fees paid in respect of approved courses at approved higher education institutions including certain approved undergraduate courses in E.U. member states and approved postgraduate courses in E.U. member states and...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (27 Sep 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department has provided an allocation of €138,847 to the Rehabilitation and Support Programme (RASP) in 2011 which is equal to its allocation in 2010. A decision regarding the provision of an allocation to the project in 2012 will be taken in the context of the overall budgetary process for 2012.

Written Answers — Schools Building Programmes: Schools Building Programmes (27 Sep 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The school referred to by the Deputy was included for appointment of a design team in the announcement in January of the school building works programme for 2011. My Department is in the process of acquiring a site close to the current location of the school. The next step will be the appointment of a design team to design the new school building. It is my Departments intention to have the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Sep 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: As there is a total of 636 staff at Higher Executive officer to Secretary General (and equivalents) in my Department I trust the Deputy will appreciate that to provide a list of the current pay of each individual and calculate their individual retirement entitlements in the format requested would take an inordinate amount of official time to compile. Pension and gratuity benefits are...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (27 Sep 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will be aware that policy can be expressed and manifested through a variety of forms. Explicitly, it is communicated via legislation, regulations, rulings, orders, plans, strategies, policy statements, and other forms – or through a combination of these. Therefore the Deputy will appreciate that specific policies and objectives are not always articulated in just one document. My...