Results 16,141-16,160 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

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

Richard Bruton: This is an operational matter for Kerry Education and Training Board and I have asked them to contact the Deputy directly to clarify matters.

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

Richard Bruton: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is aware of the growing prominence of behavioural economics within the study of economics.  The new specification for Leaving Cert Economics, which is in the final stages of preparation for consultation by the NCCA, has a much stronger orientation towards behavioural factors that impact on personal and policy-related...

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

Richard Bruton: A process to review DEIS-the Action Plan for Educational Inclusion which began last year is nearing completion and it my intention to publish a new Action Plan 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, particularly the scope for increased integration of...

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

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that spending on provision for children with Special Educational Needs has been prioritised in recent years, despite the enormous pressures on all public spending. Funding for special education provision 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. It...

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

Richard Bruton: In December 2012, outline planning permission to provide a permanent school building for Ballinteer Educate Together National School was submitted to the relevant local authority but was refused on the grounds of site access. This was appealed by the Department to An Bord Pleanála but subsequently withdrawn to facilitate submission to the local authority of an amended outline planning...

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

Richard Bruton: In recognition of funding pressures in the higher education sector, an Expert Group chaired by Peter Cassells was established in summer 2014 to examine funding arrangements for higher education. The Report of the Expert Group, published in July, clearly outlines the funding challenges in the higher education sector and offers a number of approaches and recommendations for consideration....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Counselling Services Provision (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The Action Plan for Education 2016-2019 has a specific action to enhance guidance counselling at second-level as resources permit. A significant move was made last month with the restoration of half of the cut in provision for guidance counselling. This was the equivalent to the restoration of 300 posts. The delivery of the 50% restoration through a change in the staffing schedule allows...

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

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that spending on provision for children with Special Educational Needs has been prioritised in recent years, despite the enormous pressures on all public spending. Funding for special education provision 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. It...

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

Richard Bruton: The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on the Department's 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 previous 30 September. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats...

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

Richard Bruton: The Deputy will be aware that this Government is committed to ensuring that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range...

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

Richard Bruton: The delivery of the two schools referred to by the Deputy has been devolved to Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board. The pre-qualification of contractors has been completed and all successful and unsuccessful contractors were informed on the 29thSeptember 2016. I understand that one of the unsuccessful contractor has objected to being excluded from the tender list which may now...

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

Richard Bruton: The Action Plan on Bullying, which was published in January 2013, sets out my Department's approach to tackling bullying and promoting an anti-bullying culture in schools. It recommended actions that focus on support for schools, teacher training, research and awareness raising and aim to ensure that all forms of bullying are addressed. Implementation of the actions is ongoing and good...

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

Richard Bruton: My Department is very aware of the importance of small schools to rural communities and particularly the most dispersed and remote communities. To sustain primary schools in these communities my Department has a more favourable staffing schedule for small schools that are more than 8 km distant from the next nearest school of the same type of patronage and language of instruction. This...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications Data (4 Oct 2016)

Richard Bruton: The Grants Online Application system for the 2016/17 academic year is still open, although the deadline for receipt of applications for priority processing has passed. Late applications will continue to be accepted by SUSI until 3rd November. Final 2016/17 outturn information will not be available until after the deadline for receipt of applications has passed and all applications have...

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

Richard Bruton: I recently launched my Department’s Action Plan for Education 2016 - 2019 which provides a key statement on the reform agenda across education and training.  The central vision of the Action Plan is that Irish Education and Training should become the best in Europe over the next decade.  The plan contains a range of actions to be implemented with particular focus on...

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

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of a Category 10 application from the school in question for works to its playground under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) (2016-2017). The school has been advised that valid SWS (2016-2017) applications in respect of Categories 3 to 10 that were not reached under round one approvals announced last April,...

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

Richard Bruton: In the existing apprenticeship trades, apprentices are taken on by approved employers and the State provides off the job training according to the curriculum for the trade. The scheme is essentially demand led and employers will recruit apprentices according to their overall current and projected levels of activity. Following its open call for proposals, the Apprenticeship Council has...

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

Richard Bruton: The Deputy will be aware that a major building project for the school to which he refers is included on the 6-year Construction Programme. In the context of initiating the project, my Department recently carried out a site visit to the school. My Department will continue to liaise with the school regarding the progression of the project. 

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

Richard Bruton: I do recognise the need to improve capitation funding for primary schools having regard to the reductions that were necessary over the recent years.  My Department's approach will be to apply any such increase in funding to all primary schools rather than applying it to an individual school such as the one referred to by the Deputy. In Budget 2015 the first increase in...

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

Richard Bruton: The Six Year Construction Programme for the period 2016 to 2021, announced in November 2015, priorities new building projects and major extensions, including special schools, in areas where significant demographic need has been established. In addition, the Programme prioritises projects that in addition to meeting increases in enrolments, have a major deficit of mainstream accommodation...