Results 16,081-16,100 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Priority Questions: Third Level Institutions (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: It is important to recognise some of the successes of our third-level system. We have the highest degree of third-level participation in Europe and the highest number of graduates in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM, subjects which are key to technological progress. We rank as one of the best countries in converting research in which we invest in our universities...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The school to which the Deputy refers opened in temporary accommodation in September 2016. My Department has been seeking to acquire a suitable permanent site in the area for the school in question for some time and has been in liaison with officials in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in this respect. As the Deputy will...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Funding (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: Since I took office, I have made clear that my priorities as Minister will be to ensure that we do everything we can to improve outcomes for the learners who depend on our education and training system, to break the cycles of disadvantage, to support out teachers and institutions to continually improve, to build better links between education and the broader community including the enterprise...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy is aware Caranua is an independent statutory body and I have no role in regard to its day to day operations. It is a matter for Caranua's Board and executive to manage its activities and to put in place systems and processes that are appropriate having regard to the organization's statutory remit. I would like to point out that, up to the end of June 2016, Caranua had...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts to primary schools is published annually on my Department's website. The key factor for determining the number of classroom teaching posts allocated to each school is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.   However, the staffing arrangements also...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Programme (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill was published on 6thJuly 2016. Publication of the Bill reflects the commitment in the Programme for Government to publish new School Admissions legislation taking account of current draft proposals and addressing issues including publication of school enrolment policies, an end to waiting lists, introduction of annual enrolment structures, and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Funding (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The Future Funding of Third Level Education including the charges and supports to students has been considered by an Expert Group chaired by Peter Cassells. In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government I have referred the expert group's report to the relevant Oireachtas Committee with a view to obtaining political consensus on achieving a sustainable funding model for the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Education Review (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: I have recently requested the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme and in my request I specifically asked the NCSE to define and examine outcomes of students under current arrangements. The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to examine the adequacy of the present policies and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Funding (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: I am aware of the USI pre-budget submission and its recommendations for increased funding to the sector. The Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education, published in July, clearly outlines the funding challenges in the higher education sector and offers a number of approaches and recommendations for consideration. As committed to in the Programme for Government,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Croke Park Agreement Issues (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: ASTI has issued a directive to their members to withdraw from the Croke Park hours. These are the 33 hours of additional work per year (less than one hour per week) that were agreed under the Croke Park agreement, to facilitate staff meetings, parent-teacher meetings etc. without closing schools. ASTI's decision to withdraw from these hours means that the union has repudiated the Lansdowne...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: Funding for special education provision has increased substantially in recent years and in 2016 will amount to some €1.5 billion, which is equivalent to approximately 17% of the gross overall current allocation for education and training. This funding provides for a range of supports and services including: -  12,900 Special Needs Assistants (Ss) at a full year cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Multidenominational Schools (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: 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 system. The desire of parents for diversity in education is primarily...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The project to which the Deputy refers was announced as part of the Six Year Capital Programme last year.  The project is scheduled to go to tender and construction in 2019-2021. The Deputy will be aware that officials from my Department have been working closely with officials from Donegal County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Industrial Disputes (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: I understand that ASTI is currently conducting two ballots of their members – one on industrial action relating to new teachers’ pay and a second ballot on industrial action, including withdrawal from supervision and substitution duties, in relation to terms and conditions.  In addition, ASTI have issued a directive to their members to withdraw from the Croke Park...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Industrial Disputes (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: ASTI has issued a directive to their members to withdraw from the Croke Park hours. These are the 33 hours of additional work per year (less than one hour per week) that were agreed under the Croke Park agreement, to facilitate staff meetings, parent-teacher meetings, etc., without closing schools. ASTI's decision to withdraw from these hours means that the union has repudiated the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The Programme for Government has a commitment to reduce class sizes at primary level. Budget 2016 provides for a one point improvement to the staffing allocation to primary schools, which has been implemented for the 2016/17 school year. This sees the primary staffing schedule operate on the basis of a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 27 pupils. Lower thresholds apply...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The Programme for Government commits to providing 50,000 apprenticeship and traineeship places up to 2020. SOLAS and the Apprenticeship Council are preparing a detailed 3 year plan to deliver on this commitment, which will include managing the pipeline of new apprenticeships and setting out the timing and nature of new calls for proposals. This plan will be published shortly and will set...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Council of Ireland (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: Under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority and responsibility for regulating the teaching profession including registering teachers, and maintaining the state register of teachers. The overall aim is to ensure that we have high quality teaching and a safe school environment for all students. The Deputy should note that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Applications (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. All statutory approvals have been obtained and the Stage 2b submission has been approved by my Department. However, on 1st January 2016 there were 66 major projects under construction. Since the start of this year 50 more major projects have been progressed to construction or...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Funding (4 Oct 2016)

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