Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

[Deputy Ruairí Quinn.]
Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
My Department is currently notifying schools of the new staffing arrangements for 2012/13
school year.
Disadvantaged Status
237. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects his
Department to report to him on the impact of the withdrawal of posts under DEIS; when he
proposes to make decisions in relation to the recommendations; and if he will make a statement
on the matter. [8028/12]
263. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has
been drawn to the concern in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 11 in relation to the proposed
changes to DEIS which would adversely affect a number of schools; when the DEIS review is
likely to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8479/12]
Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn): I propose to take Questions Nos.
237 and 263 together.
As announced in the house on the 11th January, I have asked my Department for a report
on the impact of the withdrawal of certain posts allocated under previous disadvantaged
schemes in DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 primary schools.
This report, which is currently being finalised, will detail the facts for each individual school
affected by this measure, applying the most up to date enrolments for September 2011. In
addition, the report will take account of the net effect of a range of factors on teacher allocations
in these schools, for example increasing and decreasing enrolments and the reforms to
the existing teacher allocations process, all of which will determine the staffing requirement for
these schools for 2012/13 school year.
When the report is finalised and submitted to me I will be in a position to make a decision
on the final outcome for the individual schools involved.
Schools will be notified in the coming weeks of their staffing entitlements under the new
arrangements for 2012/13.
Third Level Institutions
238. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the Higher Education
Authority have yet submitted to him the criteria in relation to the establishment of
technological universities; when this report will be published; and if he will make a statement
on the matter. [8029/12]
Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn): The HEA submitted and recommended
“Process and Criteria for designation as Technological University” and I have now
approved these with the agreement of Government. The criteria set a performance bar appropriate
to a national and international understanding of the term “university” so as to safeguard
the quality and reputation of Ireland’s higher education system. They will also preserve and
enhance the diversity required in a modern higher education system by ensuring that any
Technological University is not just of high quality but is also clearly differentiated by mission
to existing universities through the nature of its research, teaching and engagement activities.
At my request, the HEA published the agreed Process and Criteria document on Monday
13th February 2012 along with other system development papers to give clarity and certainty
to institutes of technology that are considering consolidation and designation proposals.
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