Results 8,201-8,220 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Ombudsman for Children: Ombudsman for Children (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The Ombudsman for Children's Office was established in April 2004 under the Ombudsman for Children Act, 2002. The Ombudsman for Children is independent of Government and other civil society actors and is accountable to the Oireachtas. The role of the Ombudsman for Children is to promote and safeguard the rights and welfare of children and young people up to eighteen years of age. The main...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: My Department currently has a variety of syllabuses and programmes in place for Physical Education. Among these are the primary school curriculum in Physical Education, the revised Junior Cycle Physical Education syllabus, the Leaving certificate syllabus in PE and the Health and Leisure module as part of the Leaving Certificate Applied programme. The primary and Junior Cycle curricula are...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The Social Personal and Health Education programme, which is mandatory in primary schools and at junior cycle level, provides a framework under which the generic values and skills which underpin responsible decision-making, and respect for the rights and safety of others can be developed and promoted among students. SPHE has a specific personal safety strand within the programme, and this...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Since its commencement in 1998, there has been significant investment in the ICT in Schools Programme, in providing computers to schools, professional development ICT courses for teachers, improving the availability of digital content, integrating ICT into the curriculum and in supporting schools to integrate ICT into their teaching and learning. The recent priorities under the Programme have...

Written Answers — Teacher Recruitment: Teacher Recruitment (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I am aware of the report that the Deputy refers to. The report has a number of interesting things to say about what contributes to quality in education systems. The report recommends getting the right people to become teachers. Irish teachers are relatively well paid by international standards with salaries that are higher than international averages, a factor that seems to contribute to...

Written Answers — School Discipline: School Discipline (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I am aware of the issue of student behaviour in our schools and I have introduced significant measures over the last few years to address this matter. In early 2006, I announced an implementation strategy following publication of "School Matters" the Report of the Task Force on Student Behaviour in Second Level Schools, and that strategy is now well advanced. At the core of the...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: An extension/refurbishment project proposed for the school referred to by the Deputy is at the early stages of architectural planning.

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: An application for capital funding towards the provision of an extension has been received from the school authority referred to by the Deputy. School Planning Section are in receipt of a report from the school inspector in relation to the school. An assessment of projected enrolment trends, demographic trends and housing developments in the area will be required in order to determine the...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: This site is being acquired under the Fingal School Model Agreement and is required to extend an existing school site. My Department is currently liaising with Fingal County Council on its transfer. The Deputy will appreciate however that due to the commercial sensitivities of land acquisitions, that it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the detail in relation to specific land...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC) has received a formal notification of intention to apply for the recognition of a new primary school in the Phibblestown area for September 2008. The NSAC is an independent advisory group established to process applications for the recognition of new primary schools and to make recommendations to me. I would expect that the NSAC will produce its...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 472 and 474 together. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that initial design work on the school building project referred to is well underway and that it should be possible to seek planning permission early in 2008. The Deputy can be assured that my Department will continue to ensure that this building project will be delivered within the earliest possible...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: A suitable site, comprising of three separate plots of land with three separate vendors, has been identified for the provision of this school. Agreement on price and general terms (subject to Contract) has been reached in respect of each of the plots and draft Contracts are with the Chief State Solicitor's Office for completion of the conveyancing. As all three plots are essential in order...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The building project for the School referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. My Department is currently awaiting a revised stage 2 report (outline sketch scheme) from the Design Team. When this information is received in my Department it will be evaluated by my Department's technical team. The progression of all large scale building projects from initial...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The building project for the School referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. My Department has recently received a Stage 2/3 (sketch scheme) addendum and it is currently being reviewed. Officials in my Department will be in further contact with the Design Team on completion of this review. Progression of all projects to tender and construction will be...

Written Answers — Educational Projects: Educational Projects (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I launched the internet safety initiative, Webwise, which was developed by the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) in February, 2006. The Webwise website, www.webwise.ie, provides information and resources in four specific areas, surfing, chatting, sharing and gaming to teachers, parents and students to help ensure that children and young people have positive and safe on-line...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The information sought by the Deputy in relation to staffing numbers in my Department on 31 October 2007 and 2002 is provided in the table. In 2003, following vesting of the State Examinations Commission and the National Council for Special Education, a number of staff from the Department of Education and Science transferred to these bodies. Table showing the number of people as of 31 October...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The table contains a breakdown of the expenditure on air travel for the years 2004 to 2007 by class. Figures include both domestic and foreign travel flights. Air travel, including domestic and foreign, broken down by year and class. Year Business Economy First Class Grand Total 2004 74,630 145,636 35,142 255,408 2005 114,160 144,051 23,023 281,235 2006 128,747 132,438 6,256 267,441...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The information sought by the Deputy is being compiled in my Department and will be sent to him as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The scheme of bonus payments or performance-related awards in the civil service applies to Deputy and Assistant Secretaries and equivalent grades. During 2007 awards totalling €93,000 were made to 8 officers, comprising officers in my Department and bodies under the aegis of my Department, covered by the scheme. The average award made to the 8 officers was €11,625. Details of awards to...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The information sought by the Deputy on staff who left my Department over the past five years is contained in the table. The Deputy should be aware that the figures on staff transferring out include, for 2003 and 2004, a number of officers from my Department who transferred to the State Examinations Commission and the National Council for Special Education, both of which were vested in 2003...