Results 12,701-12,720 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Traveller Education: Traveller Education (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that the decision to withdraw Resource Teacher for Travellers was taken by the previous Government as part of the last budget. The requirement to make expenditure savings and to ensure that staffing numbers remain within the Public Service Employment Control Framework prevent me from re-visiting this decision. Resource Teacher for Traveller posts/Teaching Hours...

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations including the payment of examiners and superintendents. I wish to inform the Deputy that the majority of those employed on contract work on the certificate examinations are members of the teaching profession. While their examinations earnings are not pensionable,...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (8 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 — Legal Fees: Legal Fees (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: It has not been possible to assemble the information requested in the time available. The information is being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy in due course.

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the school to which he refers was recently approved for funding for the provision of additional accommodation for one Mainstream Classroom.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: From September 2010, the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government removed eligibility for all new applicants in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) and the VTOS allowances for those pursuing PLC courses, for student maintenance grants. The cost of the student services charge and tuition fees payable to colleges continues to be met for eligible students by the Exchequer on...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: On approval of a special class my Department provides lump sum grant aid towards the purchase of educational aids and equipment for special needs pupils enrolled in that class. The funding is provided on a devolved basis and it is a matter for the school authority to decide on the items to be purchased. In addition, my Department historically provided grant aid towards the purchase of...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96, 98, 99, 101 and 108 together. The Deputy will be aware that it is necessary to ensure that educational services are delivered within the resources available due to the current fiscal position. I intend to prioritise and support special educational services. However, I cannot re-visit the previous Government's decision to place a cap on the number of posts...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 103 together. The primary curriculum is currently being reviewed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment in the context of the forthcoming National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy. The focus of the review will be on how best to enhance children's learning in these areas, provide a clearer delineation of the learning outcomes required, and...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Programme for Government undertakes the prioritisation of school building projects in a revised national development plan. I have already declared my intention to initiate the preparation of a five-year plan for educational infrastructure at primary and post-primary level having regard to demographic trends and the need to upgrade existing stock. Improved forecasting of demand for new...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Programme for Government emphasises that this Government's ambition is to build a knowledge society and that education will be the engine of sustainable economic growth. In performing this role the education system has regard to the skills needs of future employment. Specifically, it responds to the reports of the Expert Group for Future Skills Needs. The role of the Expert Group is to...

Written Answers — Educational Policy: Educational Policy (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy will be aware that in my previous role as Opposition Spokesperson on Education that I had regular engagement with the education partners on a range of issues across the entire sector. As Minister for Education and Skills I intend to continue this engagement particularly in relation to the implementation of commitments in the Programme for Government. For example, one of the first...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos.106 and 116 together. The Deputy will be aware that up to date information on the school building programme is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. For the Deputy's convenience the major school building projects in County Kildare which are expected to be completed in 2011 are listed as follows. Scoil Choca Naofa, Kilcock (anticipated...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that details of the successful applicants under the 2011 Summer Works Scheme were announced on 30th March 2011 and are published on the Department's website, www.education.ie. A total of €41.2 million will be made available under the Summer Works Scheme and will see major improvements in primary and post primary schools around the country including Co. Kildare....

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 113 together. In the 2009/10 school year there was an enrolment of 26,771 pupils at primary level and 14,806 pupils at post-primary level in County Kildare. Based on my Department's most recent statistics it is expected that enrolments will increase nationally from a current enrolment at primary level of circa 509,652 pupils to circa 552,800 pupils by...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of analysing all areas in the country in order to determine the level of additional provision which will be required at both primary and post primary level up to 2017. Overall post-primary requirements in County Kildare, including the case for the provision of a new Irish language post-primary school will be considered in this...

Written Answers — School Patronage: School Patronage (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department has received expressions of interest from the organisation referred to for the establishment of new schools at both primary and post-primary level in various locations in County Kildare. At primary level the Deputy will be aware that a review of the criteria and procedures for the establishment of new primary schools has been undertaken by the Commission on School Accommodation...

School Staffing (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: There are two issues involved, the first is the current employment control framework which is part and parcel of the IMF troika deal under which we cannot hire new teachers or make permanent contracts for existing teachers temporarily employed until such time as all supernumerary teachers on panels are redeployed into classrooms where they are required. Therefore, our hands are tied. I will...

School Staffing (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: We can explore this matter further. We need to find a system whereby reserve panels comprising teachers who have become supernumerary can be integrated. We have 29 or 33 - I am unsure, as I am going by memory - panels of employment within the Roman Catholic Church ethos. We should have regional panels in Munster, Leinster or Connacht or something else that relates to reasonable travel...

State Examinations (8 Jun 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: Higher education institutions have collectively agreed to operate a bonus points scheme for higher level mathematics for a four-year trial period from 2012 to 2015, inclusive, with a review in 2014. A bonus of 25 points will be allocated to students who achieve a grade D3 or above in leaving certificate higher level mathematics. This pilot scheme has been specifically designed with the...