Woods, Michael J.Thursday, 8 March 2001 |
Dáil Eireann Debate
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Order of Business.
It is the Government's policy to do its utmost to achieve the 40% level.
Deputy Noonan asked the question.
I understand the percentage is of the order of 35% or 36%
I am informed the percentage is 34%. The target has not been abandoned. This is a highly specialised committee.
All I can say beyond that is that there is no change in the position of the Government which is still pursuing the same target.
I understand that at the highest levels of banking and the financial sector, the Minister would have had some difficulty in getting candidates for the job.
If the steps taken by the previous Government had been adequate, and if they had not found themselves at times in a similar difficult situation, we could well have exceeded 40% by this time. There are...
The policy regarding 40% will continue. (Interruptions.)
There is no concealment of anything. The issue raised by the Deputy has been a matter of public record and has been stated openly. This is a technical appeal. The appeal by the State to the Supreme Co...
Ceann Comhairle, are we still dealing with the questions raised?
The outcome of the appeal will not affect the damages which have been paid to Jamie Sinnott and his mother. These amount to £42,000 to enable Mrs. Sinnott to put in place a home based applied behaviou...
This is an extremely sensitive matter.
I do not want to have to appeal this case. The Deputy should allow me to speak here if I cannot speak outside.
We will go into that another day. There can be much misrepresentation of a situation, as the Deputy will be aware.
I intend to protect not only Jamie Sinnott and his mother but to provide for costs for both sides. At the same time we must have clarity for the operations of the Department in future because of the p...
That is the question people are asking, never mind the big deals.
I assure Deputies that is our approach but we have to have the basic issue resolved. That is the legal advice I have. Otherwise we would have to provide a primary education for life for any person – a...
The facts in this case are not in contention. The matter of separation of powers to which Deputy Quinn referred is in question. That has to be clarified so that it becomes clear that it is this House ...
We are in an age of litigation.
Solicitors are already advertising widely for cases which did not relate to the Deputy's questions. These issues must be resolved and the Supreme Court is the place to resolve them.
We cannot do that if the Supreme Court decides how education is to be run. We must test this in the Supreme Court to find out what the outcome will be.
There were 117 cases lodged for individuals previously—
Almost half of those cases have been withdrawn because the services are being provided throughout the country. It is not an issue of provision of services, which are being provided and will be improve...
There is no question of a person with a disability not getting the support he or she rightly deserves. The Government is ensuring that does not happen and decided in October 1998 that that would be th...
Work is at an advanced stage on the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill in the Department and the heads of the Bill are expected fairly soon.
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has asked for a full report on the alleged activities from the Garda Commissioner. Any activity that would subvert—
The heads of the Criminal Justice (Garda Powers) Bill were approved by Cabinet on 15 February 2000 and it is expected in the middle of this year.
I do not think legislation is promised in that area.
I will ask the Whips to examine the matter.
I understand the schedule is still under consultation.
The Deputy should speak to his party Whip.
That matter must be discussed by the Whips.
The debate is starting today and will be scheduled as soon as possible.
There are two Bills. One was enacted last year. The Human Rights (Incorporation of European Conventions) Bill is expected this session.
That Bill was enacted last year.
I will have to consult with the Minister as to when that amendment might be brought forward.
The Bill is expected to be published this session.
This is a Seanad Bill which is awaiting Committee Stage debate in the Seanad.
There is no legislation involved.
There is an Insurance Bill, 1999 with amendments from the Seanad. Perhaps that might be relevant.
Written Answers. - School Transport.
Was asked: if he will provide information relating to a situation (details supplied) where some pupils of a special school must travel to and from school without a bus escort, despite the fact that the school ha...
My Department allocated funding to facilitate the appointment of an escort on every special school transport service. Many of the indi vidual services in question serve more than one school and in suc...
Written Answers. - School Placement.
Was asked: the proposals he has to deal in an equitable way with students at second level who have been expelled from school while still of compulsory school going age and who receive no private tuition provided...
Enrolment in second level schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of individual schools and my Department does not interfere in decisions made by schools in such matters. My Departme...
Written Answers. - Higher Education Support Schemes.
Was asked: the reason for the delay in submission to him of the review of the higher education support schemes which has been completed by a task force; the main recommendations in this report; if he is preparin...
Last September I appointed an action group on access to third level education to advise me on the development of a co-ordinated framework to promote access by students from disadvantaged backgrounds, ...
Written Answers. - Schools Funding.
Was asked: if he proposes to address the issues raised by JMB's pre-budget submission, Fair Play for Secondary Schools.
I am aware of the request by voluntary secondary schools for increased funding, referred to by the JMB. The funding arrangements for the different school types at second level have evolved in a manner...
Written Answers. - Oideachas trí Ghaeilge.
Was asked: cá seasann an plean atá aige coiste a bhunú faoi alt 31 den Acht Oideachais, 1998, chun struchtúr a thabhairt d'oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscoileanna; an mbeidh ionadaíocht ó gach Gaeltacht sna sea...
Forálann alt 31 den Acht Oideachais, 1998 go mbunófar comhlacht daoine chun comhordú, tacú agus comhairle a chur ar fáil maidir le múineadh trí Ghaeilge agus múineadh na Gaeilge. Tar éis dul i gcomhai...
Written Answers. - Aighneas an ASTI.
Was asked: cén dul chun cinn atá déanta chun réiteach a fháil ar aighneas an ASTI.
Ag deireadh Mí Eanáir, iarradh ar an gCúirt Oibreachais, ar bhonn ad hoc, éisteacht a thabhairt do na hábhair cúise a bhaineann le haighneas an ASTI. Tionóladh cruinniú foirmiúil sa chúirt ar an 9 Fea...
Written Answers. - Díolúine ón nGaeilge.
Was asked: cad é líon na ndaltaí ag an mbunleibhéal agus ag an dara leibhéal a bhfuil díolúine faighte acu ó staidéar a dhéanamh ar an nGaeilge; cén bonn ar a bhfuil an díolúine tugtha do na daltaí seo agus an e...
Tá díolúine ó fhoghlaim na Gaeilge faighte ag 1801 daltaí ag an mbunleibhéal agus ag 3708 daltaí ag an dara leibhéal. Tá sé d'acmhainn ag an gclár bunleibhéal agus dara-leibhéal i nGaeilge, mar atá i...
Written Answers. - Repeat Examinations.
Was asked: if he will consider the plight of students who are required to repeat a year after failing an examination and ensure they are not charged full fees for the repeat year.
My Department meets the tuition fees of eligible students who are attending full-time approved undergraduate courses at approved colleges. Students who are repeating a year at the same level are gener...
Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.
Was asked: the number of new applications for new schools, extensions to existing schools at primary and second level, by category, received by his Department in 2000; the number of approvals for such works sanc...
The building unit of my Department is processing over 850 major primary and second level school projects. This unprecedented number of projects in planning has been possible as a direct result of the ...
Was asked: if an application for an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath has been received; the date of this application; if approval in principle has been given for these works; if not, ...
The application referred to by the Deputy was received in my Department on 21 November 2000. Examination of the application is almost complete and a decision will be made shortly on the accommodation...
Was asked: when an extension will be provided for Nano Nagle special school, Listowel, County Kerry, including special facilities for autistic children; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Department has received an application for improved accommodation from the management authorities at Nano Nagle special school, Listowel, County Kerry. An initial technical assessment of the school...
Written Answers. - School Staffing.
Was asked: if, in view of the special circumstances, the current staffing levels may be retained at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9, with an expected intake of 60 junior infants in 2001; and if he will m...
The staffing of primary schools is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. This is in accordance with guidelines agreed between this Departm...
Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.
Was asked: if he will approve the necessary funding required by a national school (details supplied) in County Cork to complete certain works.
Was asked: the position regarding the construction of Ennis national school; if the design and location of the building have been agreed; and when the project is likely to commence.
My Department is currently considering the most efficient and cost effective way of providing long-term accommodation at Ennis national school. Due to the large number of school building projects curr...
Was asked: the outcome of the discussions between his Department and Kildare County Council in regard to improved safety factors for children, parents and teachers at St. Wolstan's girls school, Ballymakealy, Ce...
A draft copy of the traffic management report for St. Wolstan's community school, Celbridge, County Kildare, was received in my Department on 12 February 2001. This report is currently being examined ...
Was asked: the number of building projects costing in excess of £1 million in the institutes of technology approved by his Department since 1995; and the current state of each project.
The information, in the format requested by the Deputy, is not readily available in my Department and the level of resources required to compile the information sought would not be warranted. However...
Written Answers. - Institutes of Technology.
Was asked: the number of administrative staff and the number of teaching staff employed in the institutes of technology in each year since 1990.
The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. The information will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Written Answers. - Higher Education Places.
Was asked: the action he has taken and the plans he has to increase the number of places at third level in order that demand for speech therapists among several health boards can be met; and if he will make a st...
The current training for speech therapists involves a four year programme in the school of clinical speech and language studies at Trinity College Dublin. Graduates of the course are professionally re...
| Last Updated: 10/09/2010 23:10:01 |
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