Results 12,501-12,520 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (22 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 83 together. No decision has been made in relation to the next phase of providing 100Mbps to schools. Any decision to extend the programme will be made having regard to the current budgetary constraints and other priorities of my Department. The National Centre for Technology in Education is currently in the process of completing a pedagogical review...

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

Ruairi Quinn: Applications under my Department's Summer Works and Emergency Works Schemes to upgrade the school's Home Economics Room have 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...

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (22 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations including organising the holding of examinations, determining procedures in places where examinations are conducted including the supervision of examinations and making arrangements for the marking of work presented for examination. In view of this I have forwarded...

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), 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 — Teacher Training: Teacher Training (22 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) was established in September 2010, following a reconfiguration of the support services in existence prior to that date. 2011 is the first full year of operation of the PDST. In allocating budgets to education centres for the administration of PDST strands my Department aims to ensure that the funding allocated is commensurate with the...

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

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy is aware that the home tuition scheme provides a grant to parents to facilitate the provision of education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as for pupils who are awaiting a suitable educational placement. As I have already clarified for the Deputy, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (22 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: There are currently 6 (4.8 wte*) staff currently working in the North/South Co-operation Unit of my Department. In addition, the unit is currently holding 2 vacancies. The filling of these vacancies will be considered in light of current staffing constraints and the business needs of the Unit. The grade breakdown of these staff is as follows: - 1 (1 wte) Principal Officer (also undertaking...

Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: We want to deliver it.

Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: They were in office for 14 years.

Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: He took the money instead.

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (21 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 107, 111 and 128 together. The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on my Department's website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule...

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (21 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 117 together. The State Examinations Commission has operational responsibility for the certificate examinations. I have been advised that the State Examinations Commission (SEC) is satisfied that the questions asked on the Mathematics paper are within the parameters of the syllabus. In respect of specific queries which have been raised the SEC has...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that in recent months my Department has approved emergency funding for works to the water main, for roof repairs and for sewerage works at the school to which he refers. My Department is committed to providing a permanent building for this school and in this regard, officials in my Department have conducted technical inspections of two properties at the request of...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (21 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy is referring to the changes to the student grant schemes introduced under Budget 2011 by the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government. I regret that the economic circumstances of the country are such that I am not in a position to reverse any of the changes or to limit them to new students.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has received correspondence from the school authority relating to the matter to which he refers. The correspondence is currently being considered and a response will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as this process has been completed.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 122 and 133 together. My Department approved a devolved grant to the school referred to by the Deputy to construct a resource teaching room. The school subsequently sought additional funding and permission to increase the scope of the works beyond that approved. My Department sought additional information from the school authorities and this has now been...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (21 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 114, 115 and 116 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that Circular 37/2011 provides information to schools regarding the arrangements which are being put in place for the 2011/12 school year for the allocation of Resource Teaching hours for children with assessed special educational needs. The main elements of the arrangements outlined in the Circular are...

Written Answers — Schools Amalgamation: Schools Amalgamation (21 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 127 together. I take it that the Deputies' questions relate to these schools in the context of the value for money review on small schools which is under way at present. The value for money review on small schools is part of the normal review processes undertaken by all Departments on an annual basis on selected areas of expenditure and is being...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy will be aware, building projects to provide improved accommodation for the two schools in question were included on the list of projects announced on 24th January 2011 to commence architectural planning. In the context of progressing these projects, officials from my Department's Planning and Building Unit recently carried out technical assessments of both schools. The next...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (21 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The measurement of the distances in question is a matter for grant awarding bodies. I understand that a range of mechanisms can be used, for example online mapping such as AA Route Planner or Google Maps. In each case the shortest, most direct route to college is measured. If there is a dispute it may be necessary to carry out a physical measurement.