Results 13,081-13,100 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Higher Education Sector: Higher Education Sector (4 May 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: 2057The National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030, otherwise known as the Hunt report, 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 mission that is...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (4 May 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Government's Programme for National Recovery 2011-2016 includes a commitment that administrative functions relating to maintenance and school building projects currently carried out by school principals will be devolved locally and that the devolution of an annual capital budget to schools will be piloted to allow schools to plan for capital projects. In order to expedite the process of...

Written Answers — Psychological Service: Psychological Service (4 May 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The implementation of the various commitments in the programme for Government will be addressed by the Government over its period in office. I will consult my Government colleagues on this matter and other commitments in the programme for Government with a view to the timing of the implementation thereof at which stage I will make my Department's intentions in this regard public.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (4 May 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: All full-time higher education programmes covered by the free fees scheme are open to unemployed people. Unemployed people on full-time third level programmes may also be eligible for support under the Department's student grant schemes. The provision of grants is subject to a means test and other eligibility criteria. Further information on how to apply for a student grant is available on...

Written Answers — Third Level Remuneration: Third Level Remuneration (4 May 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 39 together. In the light of the payment of unauthorised allowances in the university sector, referred to in Special Report No. 75 of the Comptroller and Auditor General and subsequently considered at hearings of the Committee of Public Accounts, the Higher Education Authority is conducting an exercise to determine definitively the amount of...

Written Answers — Third Level Remuneration: Third Level Remuneration (4 May 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: Government pay policy is not determined on a sectoral basis in isolation. In general, pay policy is determined by the Government on the advice of the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform and having regard to the provisions of the Croke Park agreement as appropriate.

Written Answers — Colleges Recognition: Colleges Recognition (4 May 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: In 2003, the then Minister for Education and Science was the designated authority for recognition of qualifications for the purposes of employment for the regulated profession of primary teacher. Applications for recognition of qualifications were received by the Department from time to time, either from individual graduates or from institutions. The Qualifications (Education and Training...

Written Answers — Bullying in Schools: Bullying in Schools (4 May 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I take the issue of bullying in schools very seriously. I am committed to ensuring schools tackle bullying in all its forms, including homophobic bullying. Under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, all schools are required to have in place a code of behaviour and this code must be drawn up in accordance with the guidelines of the National Educational Welfare Board. The board's guidelines,...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (4 May 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The Programme for Government states that education will be a priority for this Government and that we will endeavour to protect and enhance the educational experience of children, young people and students. To that end, we are committing during the tenure of this Government to the publication of a plan for the implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (4 May 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that the 1998 Education Act requires boards of management of each school to publish the policy of the school relating to participation by students with special educational needs, including students who are exceptionally able. The measures schools take in this regard are required to be stated in the school plan. It is the duty of the board of management to ensure...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (4 May 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: Issues relating to local authorities are a matter in the first instance for my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government. The Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme 2011 is funded by my Department and administered by FÁS. It is a national scheme introduced earlier this year which aims to facilitate up to 1,000 eligible redundant apprentices to complete the...

Written Answers — National Literacy Strategy: National Literacy Strategy (4 May 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 46 together. My Department received over 460 submissions as part of the public consultation process on literacy and numeracy in schools. These submissions are being examined and oral consultations with stakeholder groups are ongoing. I expect that the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy will be drafted by the end of June 2011. The strategy will...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (4 May 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department has received representations in relation to the provision of a new primary school building in the Co Cork area to which the Deputy refers. A major capital application has been made to the Department for the provision of a new school building for the proposed school. In accordance with the published criteria for large scale building projects, the project for this school has been...

Written Answers — Third Level Remuneration: Third Level Remuneration (4 May 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: Salaries for the heads of Irish third-level institutions in the current academic year and for each of the past nine years are supplied in the attached table. The total includes basic salary, allowances and all other benefits in cash or in kind. The Higher Education Authority is currently conducting an exercise to determine definitively the amount of any additional unauthorised payments or...

Written Answers — School Patronage: School Patronage (4 May 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: The role of Vocational Education Committees in the provision of primary education and the future of the community national school model are matters for consideration in the context of the wider patronage agenda at primary level. As the Deputy will be aware, I recently officially launched the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector and its work is now underway. This process...

Written Answers — School Evaluations: School Evaluations (4 May 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: I would like to clarify for the Deputy that my plans to give parents access to more information regarding schools relates to how each individual school communicates with the parents of children attending or about to attend that school about that school's operation and performance. It is not about the construction of national league tables for primary schools. There is no room for...

Written Answers — Teacher Training: Teacher Training (4 May 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: It is the aim of my Department to ensure that there is an adequate supply of suitably qualified primary teachers to meet demand. Four of the five providers funded by my Department do not use religious affiliation as an entry requirement. St. Patrick's College, Mary Immaculate College, Froebel College and Coláiste Mhuire Marino were established as Catholic Colleges of Education. However,...

Written Answers — Early Childhood Education: Early Childhood Education (4 May 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department is already investing in a targeted early childhood education programme for children at risk of educational disadvantage. The Early Start programme aims to provide an educational programme for children aged 3-4 which would enhance their overall development and offset the effects of social disadvantage. The specific objectives of the programme are: To enhance the children's...

Written Answers — Higher Education Strategy: Higher Education Strategy (4 May 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: As I have indicated to the House previously, the process to develop the proposals for a new higher education strategy under the chairmanship of Colin Hunt was a lengthy one and provided for a comprehensive examination of the challenges facing the sector with a wide range of inputs from different stakeholders as well as national and international expertise. While I would not necessarily be...

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (4 May 2011)

Ruairi Quinn: In 2006, my Department commissioned the Educational Research Centre (ERC) to commence a comprehensive evaluation of DEIS, the action plan for educational inclusion. The aim of the evaluation is to monitor the implementation of the programme and assess its impact on students, families, schools, and communities at primary and post-primary levels. The evaluation has involved the testing of...