Results 12,481-12,500 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (23 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The report of the Project Maths Implementation Support Group, an industry/education partnership designed to add value to Project Maths, which included higher education participation, was published in June 2010. It included a recommendation that higher education institutes should offer a second chance entrance examination in mathematics in late August/early September targeted at students who...

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (23 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: A major programme of reform in mathematics, Project Maths, began in all second level schools at both junior and senior cycle in September last, building on the experience of 24 schools which began the programme in 2008. Project Maths is designed to encourage better understanding of mathematics, to reinforce its practical relevance to everyday life and to ensure better curriculum continuity...

Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Scheme: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (23 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The closing date for receipt of applications by the Residential Institutions Redress Board was 15 December 2005. However, the Board, can at its discretion, extend the period for receipt of an application where it considers there are exceptional circumstances. At the end of May 2011, the Board had received 15,135 applications, of which 14,592 had been finalised, resulting in 13,669 awards...

Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Scheme: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (23 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The following table sets out the position in relation to the realisation of the €128 million contribution due from the eighteen Congregations under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement. The completion of the legal arrangements in the case of 24 properties, valued at €23.34 million, remain outstanding, although the physical transfers of these properties have taken place. The Chief State...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (23 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for the provision of a range of educational services at local and national level for students with special educational needs. In particular, its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) co-ordinates special needs education provision at local level and arranges for the delivery of special educational services. Each...

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

Ruairi Quinn: The total allocation available in 2011 for the additional accommodation scheme (including commitments arising from approvals issued prior to 2011) amounts to €60 million. Expenditure so far this year amounts to €17.6 million

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (23 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The total allocation available in 2011 for the provision of new schools and large scale extensions amounts to €211.5 million (includes commitments arising from projects that commenced architectural planning or construction prior to 2011). Expenditure so far this year amounts to €79.8 million

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (23 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The process of allocating teaching resources to schools for 2011/2012 and the arrangements for filling vacant or new teaching posts, including temporary posts, takes place in the context of the EU/IMF Programme of Support for Ireland and the Public Service Agreement 2010/2014. It is necessary for my Department to exercise additional control and reporting measures this year to ensure that the...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (23 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: An application under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme to replace the school's floor covering has been received from the school referred to by the Deputy. The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme is solely for unforeseen emergencies or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for special needs pupils. An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (23 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: A planning application for the school building project to which the Deputy refers, was recently lodged on behalf of the Department. Subject to receipt of the necessary statutory approvals, and assuming no issues arise, it is intended to progress the project to construction.

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (23 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: Civic, social and political education is a mandatory part of the Junior Certificate programme and is supported by resources and professional development for teachers. It includes a key focus on the concepts of democracy, human dignity, rights and responsibilities, law, development, interdependence and stewardship. A syllabus for Politics and Society as a new subject in the Leaving...

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (23 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: Under my Department's free fees scheme and student grant schemes, eligible students may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution as defined in the relevant scheme. I understand that the college referred to by the Deputy is a private college and is not on the list of approved institutions. However, my Department has been in touch with FÁS...

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

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy 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 — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (22 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: Circular 30/2011 sets out the interim arrangements to apply for the 2011/12 school year for Learning Support/Resource Teacher and Resource Teacher posts. The purpose of this circular is to inform schools of the interim arrangements that are being put in place for the 2011 /12 school year in respect of their NCSE approved resource hours and learning support hours so that posts are deployed in...

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

Ruairi Quinn: The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for a student's grant awarding body. The Deputy will appreciate that, in the absence of the all of the relevant details contained in an application form, it is not possible for me to say if a candidate qualifies for a grant. However, students who are attending undergraduate courses in an EU Member State, which appears to be what the...

Written Answers — Schools Recognition: Schools Recognition (22 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: A review of the criteria and procedures for the establishment of new primary schools has been undertaken by the Commission on School Accommodation and its report was recently published on my Department's website. The report's recommendations and proposals are a useful contribution to the deliberations of the recently established Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector. The...

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

Ruairi Quinn: My officials are aware of the issues which have arisen in relation to this school building project and are liaising with the Board of Management and the Design team in relation to next steps. It is not possible at this stage to give an indicative timeline for the progression of the project; however my priority is to ensure that the project will be completed as soon as possible. The contract...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (22 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department acquired 9.63 hectares of land for educational purposes in 2010 in the area to which he refers. This was in addition to land previously acquired in the area for educational purposes. Due to commercial sensitivities pertaining to site acquisitions generally it is not my Department's policy to provide details of the purchase cost of sites...

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

Ruairi Quinn: My Department is in the process of finalising its analysis of enrolments at primary and post-primary level in all areas in the country in order to determine the level of additional school provision which will be required at both levels up to 2017. The accommodation requirements in the area to which the Deputy refers, including the future use of the temporary post primary school, will be...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (22 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: It is not the case that people who have participated in FÁS training programmes are precluded from applying for a Springboard programme. To be eligible for a place on a Springboard course applicants must have been unemployed for a minimum of 6 months when the course starts. At the time of starting a Springboard course an applicant also must be in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance,...