Results 13,501-13,520 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Third Level Education (16 Dec 2010)

Fergus O'Dowd: Is this not the most circulated report among academics and third level institutions that has ever failed to be published by the Minister? The only people who do not have a copy of the report-----

Third Level Education (16 Dec 2010)

Fergus O'Dowd: The secret is that the Minister has not published it so we cannot read it. Are turf wars taking place between different institutions? As I understand it, a couple of months ago the Tánaiste was about to bring it to Cabinet but it did not happen that week, and I am not sure what has happened since. I have had people telephoning me to tell me they have a copy of it on their laptop and...

Third Level Education (16 Dec 2010)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Minister said no one is preventing her from publishing the report - everyone knows that. The question is whether they are objecting to its publication, which is different.

Third Level Education (16 Dec 2010)

Fergus O'Dowd: No institution is objecting to it. That is good. In that case, there is no reason the Minister should not publish it tomorrow.

Departmental Expenditure (16 Dec 2010)

Fergus O'Dowd: It seems people buy school bus places and do not use them. Does the Minister have statistics on this? It seems a waste of money on the part of the family if they do not use it. The space is never used. There are ghost buses paid for by parents who do not use them. It does not make sense.

Departmental Expenditure (16 Dec 2010)

Fergus O'Dowd: The difference is that people have paid for the other seats but do not sit in them.

School Staffing (16 Dec 2010)

Fergus O'Dowd: Will the Minister agree that, as their pay comes out of the capitation grant which will be cut, it will be the students that will suffer?

Teaching Qualifications (16 Dec 2010)

Fergus O'Dowd: Does that not fly in the face of the fact that 30% of last year's University College Dublin graduates are unemployed? This highlights the lack of an arrangement with the unions to provide for a database of qualified people that could be used as substitute teachers. Will the Minister consider putting a sunset clause in the Bill to ensure this ceases from the end of next year?

Teaching Qualifications (16 Dec 2010)

Fergus O'Dowd: What about a sunset clause?

Teaching Qualifications (16 Dec 2010)

Fergus O'Dowd: Maybe even for ever.

FÁS Training Programmes (16 Dec 2010)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 1: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when she first became aware of the need to review all FÁS courses across the country; the outcome of the investigation to date; the number of students who are likely to be affected by the investigation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47891/10]

FÁS Training Programmes (16 Dec 2010)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Minister for her reply and welcome the clarification as regards apprenticeship courses and courses to do with construction to the effect that they are absolutely 100% in the clear. The Minister said some 7,700 cases are being looked at. In other words their processing is being held up. These relate to the non-apprenticeship and non-construction course studies. Obviously for...

FÁS Training Programmes (16 Dec 2010)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have made a number of requests, having spoken to senior executives in FÁS and officials in the Minister's Department and others, in an effort to get answers to questions that have been outstanding for some time. I welcome what the Minister is saying and fully support FETAC's actions, as it is very important for it to verify and stand over all the results. However, are any of the queries...

FÁS Training Programmes (16 Dec 2010)

Fergus O'Dowd: What about the people who had not sat an examination or repeated an exam?

FÁS Training Programmes (16 Dec 2010)

Fergus O'Dowd: My question is whether that applies to those 53 people, then.

Literacy Levels (16 Dec 2010)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 3: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her views on the fact that literacy levels in Ireland have dropped more significantly than any other OECD country according to the latest PISA results; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47892/10]

Literacy Levels (16 Dec 2010)

Fergus O'Dowd: This is the most appalling result for a country that experienced the Celtic tiger era. Is it not the case that for the years 2000 to 2009, Ireland has the worst outcome regarding literacy of the OECD countries that participated in the study? Is it also not the case that one in six of our students has significant reading problems, particularly males? A total of 23% of males have a literacy...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (15 Dec 2010)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 156: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform in the context of refusing international student visa applications, which occupations are not considered relevant to learning the English language; the previous educational or employment backgrounds which are deemed to be at odds with studying English as an international student; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (15 Dec 2010)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 157: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if a visa may be refused on the grounds that documentation supplied is out of date if the delay incurred is as a result of processing an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47513/10]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (15 Dec 2010)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 177: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if PRSI Class S cover will be extended to include other welfare schemes and benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47525/10]