Results 16,841-16,860 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Questions on Proposed Legislation (30 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: It must be borne in mind that the FEMPI legislation was designed to protect our capacity as a country to strike the necessary balance between the demand for new public services and the restoration of public pay over time and in an orderly manner. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has made it clear that the cost of reversing the FEMPI legislation in full would be in the order of...

Leaders' Questions (30 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: I share the Deputy's deep disappointment that there is a further delay in the trial of Mr. Halawa. The courts had indicated in advance of the latest hearing that there would be significant developments. Therefore, this latest adjournment is a real source of concern and frustration for Mr. Halawa and his family. I understand the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charlie...

Leaders' Questions (30 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: I understand the Government did examine closely those other cases to determine whether there were lessons to be drawn from them that could be applied in this case. They were found to be different in their approach. The Government supported Mr. Ibrahim Halawa's own legal team in 2015 when it sought an application under presidential decree 140, which was for the release. A number of legal...

Leaders' Questions (30 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: I agree with Deputy Lowry. Entrants' pay is an issue across the public service and is not confined to the Garda. All new entrants took a reduction in pay. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has committed to establishing a public pay commission. One of the priority issues that it will examine is entrants' pay. This will provide a vehicle through which the matter can be...

Leaders' Questions (30 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Deputy. There were a number of questions. I assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to the target of 15,000 gardaí, which is in the programme for Government. That means there will be accelerated recruitment to the Garda College. We recently provided additional funding to the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to supplement the original 2016...

Leaders' Questions (30 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: I have absolute confidence. The Committee of Public Accounts is an independent committee. It has its own authority. The HSE will respond to requests that come from the Committee of Public Accounts. It is obliged to do so. I have no doubt about that. The Committee of Public Accounts does not rely on suggestions or directions from me. It is an independent powerful committee of this...

Leaders' Questions (30 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: To be fair to the HSE, it is important to understand that this has followed its close scrutiny of irregularities that were identified. The audit has come from one undertaken by the HSE. It has pursued that audit and acted to make sure that in this case we are seeing the results of its overturning the stones, so to speak. It is also important for the House to be aware that the HSE has a...

Leaders' Questions (30 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: People can be assured that the HSE does oversee the bodies referred to. To go back to Deputy MacSharry's point-----

Leaders' Questions (30 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: -----it is very clear that the charities regulator will also have a role to play in overseeing all charities.

Leaders' Questions (30 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: I fully agree with the Deputy that this is an appalling situation. I also agree we have a right to ensure the oversight bodies and their activities are fully accounted for before the Oireachtas. I am sure HSE representatives will make themselves available to appear before the Committee of Public Accounts or the Committee on Health. It is correct that issues arose previously which were...

Leaders' Questions (30 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: Part of the work of this and the previous Government has been turning over stones that were not previously overturned. Activities were ongoing that were totally unacceptable. The result of the work done by the HSE and the Committee of Public Accounts was that the HSE introduced new governance standards for such organisations. It is as a result of this work that we have such scrutiny. This...

Leaders' Questions (30 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: First, I share Deputy MacSharry's view that this has come as a shocking revelation in an area of particular sensitivity. We all understand the trauma people and families go through in cases of suicide. There has been major shock and disgust among those who have supported the charity. As the Deputy said, it is very important that we protect the valuable work done by many of those who have...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools Scheme (30 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy is aware, the review of the DEIS programme is currently underway and it is my intention that a New Action Plan Educational Inclusion will be published by the end of this year. The current DEIS Action Plan, was published in 2005 and now provides support to 836 schools serving a total of 169,500 pupils. The review is looking at all aspects of DEIS, including the identification...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Summer Works Scheme Applications (30 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of a Category 3 application for mechanical works under the Summer Works Scheme (2016-2017) from the school to which he refers. Valid SWS (2016-2017) applications from schools in respect of Categories 3 to 10 that were not reached under round one approvals announced on 28th April last, will, subject to the overall availability of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Summer Works Scheme Applications (30 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of a Category 6 application for roof works under the Summer Works Scheme (2016-2017) from the school to which he refers. Valid SWS (2016-2017) applications from schools in respect of Categories 3 to 10 that were not reached under round one approvals announced on 28th April last, will, subject to the overall availability of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Contracts (30 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: The supplementary panel application process for eligible fixed-term (temporary/substitute) and part-time teachers for the 2016/17 school year is set out in Circular 0058/2015 which is available on my Department's website. Since 2006, the Teaching Council is the body with statutory responsibility and authority for regulation of the teaching profession, including the registration of teachers...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (30 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that 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. The criteria for the provision of SNA support...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (30 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (30 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department's focus in recent years has been on prioritising the funding available for the provision of essential classroom accommodation to meet demographic need. As the Deputy will be aware, due to the competing demands on my Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the available funding in this manner, it is not possible at this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (30 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy will be aware, the new Programme for Government outlines that this new Government will continue to support the creation of Technological Universities. This is in line with the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 which provides a framework for the development of the higher education sector to 2030. With regard to the institute of technology sector, the Strategy...