Results 14,201-14,220 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (1 Mar 2017)

Richard Bruton: The school and its design team have not yet submitted the report to my Department. Upon receipt and review of the Stage 2b submission my Department will revert to the Board of Management with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.  

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Institutes of Technology (1 Mar 2017)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together. My Department allocates the recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to the HEA designated higher education institutions, including the Institutes of Technology (IoTs) such as Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT). The HEA allocates this funding to the institutions and the internal...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Appeals (1 Mar 2017)

Richard Bruton: I understand that the student referred to by the Deputy, appealed the decision of the awarding authority to the SUSI appeals officer and a decision letter issued from the appeals officer on the 21st of July 2016.  The student was advised that if she was not satisfied with the decision of the appeals officer, she could appeal the decision to the Student Grants...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Qualifications Data (1 Mar 2017)

Richard Bruton: Officials from my Department have again liaised with the Higher Education Authority in relation to this matter and have been advised that University College Cork (UCC) has to date not received any income from the Irish Management Institute (IMI) for the validation of degrees. However, UCC receives funding related to joint programmes based on credit input that UCC has...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Management (1 Mar 2017)

Richard Bruton: It is widely accepted that the quality of school leadership is a key determinant of school effectiveness and the achievement of good learning outcomes. Indeed international research indicates that school leadership is second only to classroom teaching as an influence on pupil learning. Budget 2016 provided 250 posts to second level schools to enable Deputy Principals to be more fully...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (1 Mar 2017)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 133, 150 and 152 together. Budget 2016 provided for an improvement in the staffing schedule in primary schools by 1 point, from 1 teacher for every 28 pupils to 1 teacher for every 27 pupils for the 2016/17 school year and it should be noted that the current staffing schedule of 27:1 for primary schools has restored it to the position it was at prior to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Commencement of Legislation (1 Mar 2017)

Richard Bruton: The only remaining section of the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 to be commenced is Section 39, which deals with continuing education and training and professional development of teachers.  I am advised by the Teaching Council that Cosán, the national framework for teacher’s learning (CPD) has entered a development phase which is due to conclude in 2020. This will then...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Proposed Legislation (1 Mar 2017)

Richard Bruton: On 5 December 2016, I published the General Scheme of an Education (Parent and Student Charter) Bill 2016. The Government have approved the draft outline of a new law, which will require every school to consult with parents and students, and publish and operate a Parent and Student Charter. The publication of this draft legislation will fulfil a key commitment in the Action Plan for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Funding (1 Mar 2017)

Richard Bruton: My Department is investing in a significant programme of student supports in the 2017/18 academic year in order to assist students from under-represented groups to participate in and complete higher education. In total, my Department will provide almost €450m on access measures in 2017. This encompasses the student grant scheme which is expected to assist...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (1 Mar 2017)

Richard Bruton: As a consequence of the financial crisis, there was a need to enact a number of measures to reduce public expenditure so as to stabilise the country's public finances. These included pay reductions and also reductions to the pay of new entrant public servants, including teachers, since 2011. Collective agreements reached between the Government and the public service unions provided vital...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (1 Mar 2017)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy is aware, I have made my position clear on the issue of the role of religion in school admissions. I have stated that, while it is to be welcomed and respected that many parents wish their children to receive education in their faith, I believe that it is unfair that preference is given by publicly funded religious schools to children of their own religion who might...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Croke Park Agreement Implementation (1 Mar 2017)

Richard Bruton: ASTI's withdrawal from the Croke Park hours means that the union has repudiated the Lansdowne Road Agreement. The financial and other consequences for ASTI members of failure to co-operate with the terms of the agreement were formally notified to ASTI in June 2016.  It was indicated at that time that in the event of continuing failure to co-operate in the medium term, further additional...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Junior Cycle Reform (1 Mar 2017)

Richard Bruton: Implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle is proceeding and the new subject specifications for Business Studies and Science, along with English, have now been introduced to schools. The teachers involved are benefitting from extensive continuing professional development and are availing of professional time to support implementation. In June 2017, English will be the first...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Child Care Services (1 Mar 2017)

Richard Bruton: In accordance with key commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government (May 2016) in relation to establishing a quality system of school age childcare, my Department is working closely with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in considering how to facilitate schools who wish to make their facilities available as part of the range of options available to parents where there...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (1 Mar 2017)

Richard Bruton: The basic aim of this Government is to sustain our economic progress and use it to build a fair and compassionate society. Education is the best means of delivering a fairer society, breaking down cycles of disadvantage and ensuring that all our people, in particular those with special educational needs, are able to participate in that progress and fulfil their potential. Excellent and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Disadvantage (1 Mar 2017)

Richard Bruton: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 145 and 147 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that the review of DEIS has been completed and the new action plan for educational inclusion entitled 'DEIS Plan 2017', was published together with a report of the review, on the 13th February 2017. A copy of the both reports, 'Report on the Review of DEIS' and the 'DEIS Plan 2017' are available on my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (1 Mar 2017)

Richard Bruton: My Department has committed to enriching teaching and learning with new curricula, in the Action Plan for Education 2016-2019. The central vision of the Plan is that the Irish Education and Training System should become the best in Europe over the next decade. This will contribute to delivering a “Step-Change” in the development of critical skills, knowledge and competences...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Recruitment (1 Mar 2017)

Richard Bruton: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 148 and 158 together. Budget 2016 provided 250 posts to second level schools to enable Deputy Principals to be more fully available to assist the school principal with the leadership of the school. At primary level, Budget 2016 provided for additional release days for teaching principals to range between 15 and 25 days depending on the size of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Professional Development (1 Mar 2017)

Richard Bruton: A key objective in the Action Plan for Education 2016 – 2019 is to develop the continuum of teacher education to equip teachers with the right skills for 21st century teaching and learning and improve school leadership. The quality of our teaching profession is the single most critical factor in sustaining and enhancing the quality of education outcomes in our system. We know that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (1 Mar 2017)

Richard Bruton: I presume the Deputy meant to refer to 2017 in her question. The Government is committed to progressing the development of a dynamic and innovative education system that reflects the diversity of twenty-first Century Ireland. The Programme for a Partnership Government reflects the Government’s objective of strengthening parental choice and further expanding diversity in our school...