Results 1,741-1,760 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: Under my Department's Free Fee Schemes the Exchequer meets the cost of tuition fees in respect of eligible full-time undergraduate students. Support is also available to eligible students under the Student Grant Scheme which may include maintenance, fees and student contribution. Funding is also provided to institutions for the Student Assistance Fund which assists students, who might...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff Recruitment (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The reality of the economic situation and the public expenditure corrections which continue to be required present challenges across all areas of public expenditure. It must be acknowledged that the higher education sector has accommodated significant increases in students numbers at a time when both funding and staff numbers have reduced. The economic circumstances of the country are such...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: Tá mo Roinnse lán-tiomanta d'fhorfheidhmiú na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge. Go nuige seo, tá mo Roinnse tar éis díriú ar bhearta oideachasúla sa Straitéis 20 Bliain a cur i gcrích a bhaineann leis an gcuraclam, le measúnú agus le hoideachas múinteoirí. Mar shampla, tá obair a rinne an Chomhairle...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that schools have a responsibility under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, to have a Safety Statement in place in their schools. The Statement should identify potential hazards, assess the risks to health and safety and put appropriate provision in place to safeguard the safety and health of employees and pupils. The Safety Statement should be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Child and Family Agency Remit (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The National Education Welfare Board (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (SI No. 215 of 2011) made by the Government on 10th May 2011 transferred a range of functions under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. These functions included statutory powers relating to school attendance, participation and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Reviews (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I regret the announcement by the ASTI and TUI of the fact that they are balloting their members on industrial action on the new Junior Cycle Student Award (JCSA). I have considered the concerns expressed by the unions and others in relation to the new JCSA. In that context, I have responded to their concerns in relation to the implementation of the Framework on Junior Cycle. I have slowed...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Funding (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: As the Deputy is aware the Higher Education Authority (HEA) is undertaking a study on the future financing of the higher education sector. This study was initiated at my request and an initial report has been published which makes it clear that immediate work is required to prepare for a longer term approach to a system that can be maintained through a sustainable funding base which will be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The staffing schedule is the mechanism used for allocating mainstream teaching posts to all schools. It operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location. It currently operates on the basis of a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 28 pupils with lower thresholds for DEIS Band 1 schools.The configuration of classes...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I am aware that a consultation process is underway in Cork City relating to amalgamation proposals that involve the schools, referred to by the Deputy. However, I wish to confirm that I have not received any proposals in the matter from the Patron concerned. The Deputy will be aware that the decision making authority for any amalgamation or re-organisation of schools in an area belongs to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Participation (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department allocates significant resources to ensure that students can participate fully in their academic programmes and are not disadvantaged by reason of a disability. The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) provides funding to both further and higher education institutions for the provision of services and supports for full-time students with disabilities. A claim under the Fund...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Administration (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: Generally, the delivery of major school projects to meet significant demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The Five Year Plan is focused on meeting those demographic needs and sets out the school projects that are planned to proceed to construction over the duration of the Plan. My Department will also consider...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Grants (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department is aware of the accommodation issues arising at the school, referred to by the Deputy. In that regard, my Department is currently liaising with the school, in question, regarding how best to meet their long term accommodation needs, including the replacement of prefabs. In the interim, my Department has approved additional accommodation for the school to meet its short-term...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Information and Communications Technology Issues (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: ICT is a tool that can, if used properly, enhance teaching and learning. In particular the use of eportfolios can facilitate assessment. My Department is exploring the use of eportfolios though its participation in an EU funded project which will pilot eportfolios solutions in a number of schools. My Department's Professional Development Support Service for Teachers - Technology in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that many schools withdraw pupils occasionally from the main classroom for short periods of time in order to provide support to them, or to manage pupil behaviour, if a child is exhibiting behaviours which may be a danger to themselves or others. In some circumstances, a child who is exhibiting extreme behaviours may be brought to another room to ensure the safety...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Schemes (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The Department will continue to provide a book grant as usual to all primary schools. This grant, can be utilised for the purposes of updating or expanding a school's existing book rental scheme. I want to commend all schools that have used it to help build up book rental schemes over the years and I am aware of the difficulties faced by schools in relation to these schemes. Their efforts...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pension Provisions (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to subsection (1)(b)(ii) of section 9 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013, which allows the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to extend the "grace period" during which pension awards to persons who retire from public service jobs are protected against, in particular, the pay reductions applied under that Act....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Equality Issues (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The Government did not oppose the Private Members Down Syndrome (Equality of Access) Bill 2013, at second stage. This Bill has now been referred to the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection. The NCSE report on Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs recommended that under a proposed new allocation model, all children, including those with Down syndrome, should be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Exchange Scheme (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: At primary level a teacher exchange scheme exists whereby a teacher may voluntarily exchange with a teacher in any other school. The minimum period for which an exchange may occur is one year and the maximum is five years. There are 25 exchanges involving 50 teachers currently in place in primary schools.Given that such exchanges are for a limited period of time, it is not appropriate for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments Data (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that there are five primary schools in the town to which he refers offering a total of ten junior infants classes annually. My Department gave approval to two of the schools to enrol an additional Junior Infant class group in 2013-14 to cater for increasing enrolments. In addition, my Department approved grant aid to two of the schools to provide accommodation to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Appeals (25 Feb 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: Officials in my Department have confirmed that the student referred to by the Deputy has appealed the decision of the awarding authority to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board. The appeal was received by the Board on 4 February 2014 and will be heard within the timeframe set out in the Student Support Act 2011. The student will be notified directly of the outcome of the appeal.