Results 15,021-15,040 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Appointments to State Boards (16 Dec 2016)

Richard Bruton: Information on the gender balance on the boards of each of the State agencies under the aegis of my Department is included in the attached table. Comprehensive information on board appointments to agencies under the remit of my Department can also be downloaded from my Department’s website .

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (16 Dec 2016)

Richard Bruton: The school to which the Deputy refers was approved a devolved grant under my Departments Additional Accommodation Scheme 2016 to provide one Mainstream classroom and one Resource classroom. The school recently submitted a Stage 1/2A (early design stage) report including a request for additional funding. The school has been given permission to proceed to planning permission...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Emergency Works Scheme Funding (16 Dec 2016)

Richard Bruton: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has approved funding for the school in question to carry out the works to which he refers. The school authority has been informed of this decision.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Emergency Works Scheme Funding (16 Dec 2016)

Richard Bruton: The school in question applied to my Department for funding under the Emergency Works Grants Scheme to address the issue to which the Deputy refers. The application was assessed and a letter issued to the school authorities requesting further information. Upon receipt and review of this information a decision will be conveyed directly to the school authority.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Uniforms (16 Dec 2016)

Richard Bruton: While under the provisions of the Education Act, 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school, I am, as Minister, keen to keep back to school costs as low as possible for parents. The Action Plan for Education aims to make the Irish education and training service the best in Europe by 2026. This plan outlines hundreds of actions to be implemented...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (16 Dec 2016)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy is aware, the 6 Year Capital Plan (2016-2021), announced in November 2015, as part of the Government's €2.8 billion schools capital investment programme, details the major school building projects that are scheduled to proceed to tender/construction over the lifetime of the Plan. It is my Department's intention to progress these projects, including those listed for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (16 Dec 2016)

Richard Bruton: My Department routinely increases funding allocations for school building projects to meet building inflation costs. Where schools encounter such costs, it is a matter for them to bring this to my Department's attention and to apply  for a funding uplift. My Department does not intend to issue a blanket uplift as not all schools will encounter this issue. Ultimately,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Closures (16 Dec 2016)

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is very aware of the importance of small schools to rural communities and particularly the most dispersed and remote communities. To provide rural communities with security about the future of their schools, a commitment is contained in the Programme for a Partnership Government not to close any small school without the consent of parents. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (16 Dec 2016)

Richard Bruton: Information events hosted by SOLAS were held for category 2 and 3 proposers in November. Proposers have been asked to submit their detailed development plans, including timescales for completing each of the remaining development steps, to the Apprenticeship Council by mid January. Details of these proposals will be provided as development funding is released. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Guidance Counsellors (16 Dec 2016)

Richard Bruton: Budget 2016 provided for an allocation of 300 additional to second level schools for the purpose of enhancing guidance provision. This improvement took effect from September 2016. Budget 2017 provides for 2,400 additional teaching posts by the end of 2017. This includes 100 posts arising from enhancements to guidance. These posts will come on stream in September 2017. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (16 Dec 2016)

Richard Bruton: The major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2(b),which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of Tender Documents. When the Statutory Approvals are secured the Design Team will finalise the Stage 2b (Detailed Design) submission which will...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (16 Dec 2016)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy will be aware that a project for the school to which he refers was included in the Department's 6 Year Capital Programme. The project for the school in question will be progressed with a view to proceeding to tender and construction stages in 2019-2021, as outlined in the programme. My Department will be in contact with the school in due course in the context of progressing the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Applications (16 Dec 2016)

Richard Bruton: I can confirm that my Department received an application from the school, to which the Deputy refers, for a major capital project which included a request for additional classrooms, electrical works, hearing impaired unit and a PE Hall. My Department contacted the school regarding the application and the school subsequently prioritised elements of the application,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (16 Dec 2016)

Richard Bruton: The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently completing Stage 2(a) – Developed Design stage of architectural planning. Following a meeting between the Department, Board of Management and Design Team in December 2015, the Design Team were requested to amend and develop the design based on an increased scope of works. The Design Team...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (16 Dec 2016)

Richard Bruton: Exact expenditure figures regarding the teaching of coding in schools are not available, as funding is not allocated by my Department on a subject by subject basis. However, work is taking place at both primary and post-primary levels on coding. In 2017, 5,800 teachers were provided with ICT training, to include coding, by the Professional Development Service for Teachers -...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (16 Dec 2016)

Richard Bruton: At Junior Cycle level the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has developed a short course on Coding which is available to schools for their Junior Cycle programme on an optional basis. The course looks to build on coding skills that primary students might have experienced while offering insight into possible future studies in computer science and software engineering....

Questions on Proposed Legislation (15 Dec 2016)

Richard Bruton: The two items the Deputy raised are entirely separate. The DEIS scheme is for disadvantaged schools and the report will be published in the coming weeks. The commitment with regard to the development of non-denominational options is proceeding. We are developing a plan. It is for 400 schools by 2030 so it is a long-term plan and we are looking at options. We are working with the...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (15 Dec 2016)

Richard Bruton: It is in the final stages of preparation and we will be publishing it in the coming weeks.

Topical Issue Debate: School Staff (14 Dec 2016)

Richard Bruton: The Teaching Council is considering the longer-term issue of the future supply of all teachers, including substitute teachers. I accept that the restrictions which have been imposed on the recruitment of retired teachers could be re-examined as a short-term measure. There would have to be an assessment of whether a panel would work. Short-term opportunities tend to arise in this area at...

Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects Status (14 Dec 2016)

Richard Bruton: I do not have the exact date on which the school was informed, but on 24 November the Department was satisfied that the information on the scope of the works outlined was necessary and it was in a position to re-tender. I am unsure what time elapsed after that until the school was notified. The Department has excluded nothing from the scope of the works being re-tendered for. The scope...