Results 16,541-16,560 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: International Mother Language Day (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: International Mother Language day has been observed, throughout the world every year since February 2000 and will next be celebrated on the 21 February 2017. The aim of International Mother Language Day is to promote multiculturalism and linguistic diversity and to encourage the use of language to preserve heritage and culture. The Embassy network in Dublin, through its sponsorship of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: Under my Department's student grant scheme, eligible candidates may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution as defined in the scheme. The definition of an approved institution is set out in Section 7 of the Student Support Act 2011 and Regulation 3 of the Student Support Regulations 2016. My Department has received a proposal from the 'Wake...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Data (19 Jul 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: Apprenticeship Programmes (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: Annual registrations increased by 40% from 2013 to 2014 and the 2015 figure of 3,153 represented a further 17% increase. The increase in registrations is forecast to be sustained up to at least 2018. This will result in continuing growth in the apprenticeship population in the existing trades. I understand that SOLAS will review and extend its forecasts later this year. In addition, the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: As set out in my reply on the 6 July 2016, consortia engaged with the call for proposals on the basis that details would only be published when proposals are approved for progression to a detailed planning stage. I expect to receive a plan from SOLAS and the Apprenticeship Council in later this year that sets out how the commitments in the Programme for Government in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications Data (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 239 together. The data provided in the two tables attached is in respect of applications to SUSI, the centralised grant awarding authority. It does not encompass data relating to the 66 grant awarding authorities who have continued to process renewal applications on a transitional basis, since the establishment of SUSI, in 2012, as their data is not...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 241 together. Recipients of grant funding and other payments from my Department are not categorised by Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) status or by ethos. It is not, therefore, possible to provide a fully definitive list without a detailed examination of each payment, which would require a significant level of time and resources. However, the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Funding (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 242, 250 and 296 together. The Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education, published recently, is comprehensive and clearly outlines the funding challenges in the sector and offers a number of approaches and recommendations for consideration including the option of introducing a deferred payment system for student fees which would be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: The Government has a contingency framework in place which maps the key issues that will be most important to Ireland in the coming weeks and months. The Government has published a summary of the key actions that will be taken to address the contingencies arising from the UK's decision to leave the EU. My Department participated fully in and contributed to the preparation of this framework...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school in question is included on the 6 Year Construction Programme announced last November. It is envisaged that the project will proceed to tender / construction in 2018 as outlined in the programme. In order to progress the project, my Department requires certain information from the school including architectural drawings, site...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy is aware, the project for the school referred to, is included in the 6 Year Construction Programme that was announced on 17th November last. My Department has been in contact with the school authorities recently regarding the next steps to be taken to progress the school project into the architectural planning process. I wish to assure the Deputy that my Department is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to a range of new subjects and this is something I will work on over the coming years. I intend to develop plans for new subjects beyond what is included in the Programme for Government. As part of the new Framework for Junior Cycle, schools can decide to include a short course in Chinese language and Culture, prepared by the National...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: The information requested by the Deputy was supplied by SOLAS and is set out in the following table. Apprentice Population 2006 - 2010 Apprentice Population TRADE 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Construction Brick & Stonelaying 1,865 1,635 1,062 534 202 Cabinetmaking 668 671 495 275 150 Carpentry & Joinery 6,967 6,815 5,036 2,925 1,745 Floor & Wall Tiling 114...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for special needs assistants (SNAs). The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support, which is set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014. As outlined in this circular,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for special needs assistants (SNA) supports. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support, which are set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014 and are available on my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Gaelscoil Issues (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: In Kildare South, 708 children attended the three Gaelscoileanna in Newbridge, Kildare Town and Athy in the 2015/16 school year. My Department uses a Geographical Information System to identify the areas under increased demographic pressure nationwide. The system uses a range of data sources in carrying out nationwide demographic analyses to determine where additional school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: My Department does not provide funding to pre-school services other than in early intervention classes in recognised primary schools or special schools. Supports for childcare, including pre-school education, are provided by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The principal vehicle for the delivery of pre-school education is the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Support Schemes (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 255 and 258 together. My Department has received a proposal from the 'Wake up SUSI' campaign to extend student supports, including access to the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities, to students in certain private colleges. This proposal is currently being considered by officials in my Department, in the context of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Guidance Counsellors (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: Guidance is provided to young people in schools and consists of personal and social, educational and career guidance. Guidance is defined as "a range of learning experiences provided in a developmental sequence, that assist students to develop self-management skills which will lead to effective choices and decisions about their lives. It encompasses the three separate, but interlinked, areas...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Appointments to State Boards (19 Jul 2016)

Richard Bruton: Nine vacancies on the Board of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) were advertised on StateBoards.ie the vacancies include: - One Chairperson, and - Eight Ordinary Members. In line with Government policy on the filling of vacancies on State Boards, the application process for all of these vacancies was administered by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) through their dedicated...