Results 13,261-13,280 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Disadvantage (2 May 2017)

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that, arising from his previous question on behalf of this school, officials of my Department wrote to the school in question on the 27th April last regarding this matter. The school has been advised that it is not proposed to make any amendment to the existing level of HSCL supports allocated for the 2017/2018 school year pending the outcome of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Primary Online Database (2 May 2017)

Richard Bruton: The Primary Online Database (POD) is a nationwide individualised database of primary schools pupils, facilitating the monitoring of educational progress as pupils move through the primary education and on to post primary. Once a year schools are asked to complete an annual census return, in which schools verify the number of pupils in their school and the details of those pupils. All...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Primary Online Database (2 May 2017)

Richard Bruton: The Primary Online Database (POD) is a nationwide individualised database of primary schools pupils, facilitating the monitoring of educational progress as pupils move through the primary education and on to post primary. It is used for: - completion of the National School Annual Census - teacher allocation and payment of capitation and other grants - resource allocation...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (2 May 2017)

Richard Bruton: The Department has been informed of the resignation of the Principal and Deputy Principal in the school referred to by the Deputy. These resignations are due to take effect at the end of the current school year.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (2 May 2017)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy may be aware, a project to provide permanent accommodation for the school in question is included on my Department's Capital Programme. Officials in my Department are liaising with officials in the relevant local authority in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the identification and acquisition of a suitable site for this school. Due to the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Disadvantage (2 May 2017)

Richard Bruton: The matter referred to by the Deputy relates to the assignment of a Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) Coordinator where the assignment of the current Coordinator serving the school in question is due to expire at the end of the current school year. The reassignment of HSCL duties is part of the normal cycle of the HSCL scheme and the allocation of a full or a shared teacher to these...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Qualifications Recognition (2 May 2017)

Richard Bruton: Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the State Agency responsible for maintaining the National Framework of Qualifications, operates NARIC Ireland – the National Academic Recognition Information Centre. NARIC Ireland is responsible for providing advice on the recognition of foreign qualifications in Ireland and provides comparability statements for a number of qualifications from...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Child Safety (2 May 2017)

Richard Bruton: Under the provisions of the Education Act, 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school and has responsibility for ensuring the health and safety of its staff and pupils. My Department has issued "Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools" based on the "Children First – National Guidance for the Protection and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (2 May 2017)

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that DES Circular 0013/2017 for primary schools and 0014/2017 for post primary schools were published on 7th March 2017. These Circulars set out the details of the new model for allocating special education teachers to schools. The revised allocation process replaces the generalised allocation process at primary and post primary school level for learning...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Closures (2 May 2017)

Richard Bruton: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 394 and 395 together. The Government in its Programme for Government has committed to protect the sustainability and viability of rural communities and will not close any small school without the consent of parents. My Department became aware in week ending 7thApril last that, in view of the low pupil enrolment position in the school referred to by the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (2 May 2017)

Richard Bruton: The key data sources used in the DEIS identification process are the DES Primary Online Database (POD) and Post-Primary Online (PPOD) Databases, and CSO data from the National Census of Population as represented in the Pobal HP Index for Small Areas, which is a method of measuring the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area. Variables used in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Service Pay Commission Reports (2 May 2017)

Richard Bruton: I understand that the Public Service Pay Commission is due to report shortly in accordance with the general time frame envisaged when it was originally established. The Government established the Commission to examine pay levels across the public service, including entry levels of pay. In that context, consideration of entry levels of pay cannot focus on just the education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (2 May 2017)

Richard Bruton: My Department is currently reviewing the demographic data in the area referred to. As the Deputy will be aware, there are 13 primary schools serving the Swords area. My Department has been in direct contact with a number of these schools in respect of their junior infant capacity. In that regard it is understood that two schools in the area have junior places available...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Health and Safety (2 May 2017)

Richard Bruton: Health and Safety issues such as the provision of potable water is a matter for the school authorities in the first instance. However, if a school authority has concerns about the quality of the drinking water on its premises, it should consult with its local authority and/or Irish Water for advice. The school may also arrange for the water to be tested. If any problems are identified...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Health and Safety (2 May 2017)

Richard Bruton: My Department has a number of action under the National Physical Activity Plan as follows: - Raise awareness among schools, particularly Primary schools, of opportunities to educate through physical activity - Develop guidance to support schools adopt and implement policies that promote the well-being of their communities under the Get Active! Framework - Extend the Active School Flag...

Questions on Promised Legislation (13 Apr 2017)

Richard Bruton: I can confirm for the Deputy that the heads have gone through Government but discussions are continuing with various stakeholders to finalise details of the Bill before it can be presented to the House.

Questions on Promised Legislation (13 Apr 2017)

Richard Bruton: Those issues will have to be resolved. I will try to get Deputy Burton a predicted date.

Questions on Promised Legislation (13 Apr 2017)

Richard Bruton: The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill has already been published. It is intended that it will go to Committee Stage shortly. In respect of the Labour Party's Bill, as the Deputy knows, a decision was made in the House that it should be deferred for a period while assessment of some of the issues would occur. I published an assessment with four options. The closing date for...

Questions on Promised Legislation (13 Apr 2017)

Richard Bruton: It was made clear at the time that the issue raised in the Labour Party's Bill would not be dealt with for this coming September, whereas the other issues in the admissions Bill will be targeted. The consultation on the wider issue of access to local schools for non-denominational children will not be for this September.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Funding (13 Apr 2017)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 to 93, inclusive and 97 together. In September 2015 the Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021 (The Capital Plan) was announced.  The Plan provides €3.8 billion in direct Exchequer funding for investment in primary, second and third level education facilities, combining the upgrade and extension of existing...