Results 15,721-15,740 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Properties (26 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The building referred to by the Deputy is not in my ownership, and in common with other buildings of its kind, where significant grant aid is provided by the Department for the development of school premises, investment is secured by way of a long-term legal agreement known as a charging lease. In circumstances where a property has ceased to be used as a school, and a request is received...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Minor Works Scheme (26 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The normal practice is for the Minor Works Grant to be announced late in the year if funding permits. The issue of the Minor Works Grant 2016/2017 will be considered in the context of my Department's overall capital position later this year.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (26 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts for the 2016/2017 school year is set out in the Staffing Schedule (Circular 0007/2016) which is available on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the 30 September 2015. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (26 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The supplementary assignment arrangements for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) were established on foot of proposals brought forward by the Labour Relations Commission when the Haddington Road Agreement was being agreed. These supplementary assignment arrangements for SNAs continue to operate under the Lansdowne Road Agreement, and both unions representing SNAs, namely SIPTU and IMPACT, have...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (26 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy will be aware that a project for the school to which he refers is included in my Department's 6 Year Capital Programme which was announced last November. I can confirm that a site acquisition process for the school is currently underway. However, given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further at this time....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Funding (26 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education, published in July, clearly outlines the funding challenges and offers a number of approaches and recommendations for consideration for the medium term. As committed to in the Programme for Government, the report has been referred to the Education Committee as part of the process for formulating a plan for the future of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments Data (26 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: One of my Department's responsibilities is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places in an area. Enrolment policies are a matter for individual school authorities and my Department would not have access to details of applications received by individual schools in Kilkenny city. The Deputy will be aware that as part of my Department's School...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (26 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The assessment of means under my Department's student grant scheme is based on gross income from all sources, with certain social welfare and health service executive payments being exempt. In the assessment of means, a deduction can be made for holiday earnings made by the applicant from employment outside of term time but within the reference period. I increased the value of this income...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Disadvantaged Status (26 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy is aware, a process to review DEIS which began last year is nearing completion and it is my intention to publish a new Plan for Educational Inclusion before the end of this year. The review is looking at all aspects of DEIS, including the range and impact of different elements of the School Support Programme, the potential for innovation within and between schools and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Remote Area Boarding Grant (26 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The purpose of the Remote Area Boarding Grant is to give pupils who are educationally disadvantaged because of their remoteness from schools an opportunity to attend school on the same basis as other pupils not so disadvantaged. Pupils resident on off-shore islands such as Sherkin Island that do not have a school providing suitable free second-level education may also qualify for assistance...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (26 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. Parents can choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection...

Topical Issues: School Closures (25 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I can fully understand the dismay caused by the decision of any school to close. I will clarify the Department’s position on the closure by Notre Dame Schools Trust of the fee-paying primary and post-primary schools which it operates on Churchtown Road Upper in Dublin. I understand the concerns that have been raised by staff, parents and...

Topical Issues: School Closures (25 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: It is hoped the matter will be dealt with in a matter of weeks, rather than over a longer period. I hope we can identify what is the best use of the site that recently came into the ownership of the Department. I understand a number of stakeholders could use the site. The Department wants to make a decision based on what alternatives are open to the schools in question and whether they...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (25 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The information sought by the Deputy is available at the following link:

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Appeals (25 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (25 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together. The building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is included in my Department's 6 Year Construction Programme announced last November. It is envisaged that this project will proceed to tender/construction in 2018, as outlined in the Programme. A site acquisition process in respect of this school building project...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (25 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: Department of Education and Skills Circular 0007/2016 sets out the criteria for the allocation of teaching posts to primary schools for the 2016/2017 school year.   The circular includes the provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds, using projected enrolment for the following September,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (25 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: My Department and the school management bodies have agreed contingency arrangements which involve the recruitment of external supervisors and which are intended to support any schools that may be in a position to remain open during the period when ASTI teachers withdraw from S&S duties. The employment of external supervisors may enable some schools to remain open but would present...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (25 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 199 together. The Deputy will be aware that my Department recently completed the acquisition of the Roslyn Park property in Sandymount. For reasons of commercial sensitivity I am not in a position to disclose the cost of this acquisition. In the context of the finalisation of this acquisition, my Department wrote to the patron body of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (25 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The major school building project to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2(b). All statutory approvals have been secured. However, following the appointment of a replacement Quantity Surveyor, the Design Team in association with the newly appointed Quantity Surveyor prepared a revised  Bill of Quantities which has just...