Results 2,261-2,280 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (19 May 2005)

Mary Hanafin: As part of the primary school curriculum Irish is a compulsory subject. Exemption from the study of Irish may, however, be granted to primary pupils under certain circumstances outlined in Department circular 12/96. Under the terms of the circular delegated authority to grant exemptions from Irish, within the conditions laid down, has been vested in the individual school authority. There is...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (19 May 2005)

Mary Hanafin: My Department has recently sanctioned the provision of a new 32-classroom school which is to cater for the amalgamation of two schools, one of which is the school referred to by the Deputy. This project has been sanctioned to commence architectural planning as part of the 2005 school building programme. With regard to the provision of extra pupil places for September 2005, my Department has...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (19 May 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The scheme, whereby exemption from the study of Irish is granted to pupils of recognised primary schools, is currently under review by my Department. The question of granting pupils in private schools exemptions from the study of Irish on the same basis as applies to pupils in recognised schools is being considered as part of this review. It is hoped that this review will be completed...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (19 May 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The matter referred to by the Deputy is currently being considered by my Department's inspectorate. The inspector has indicated that he will be visiting the school shortly to discuss the application with the school authorities.

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (19 May 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year and by reference to a staffing schedule. This schedule is outlined in primary circular 15/05 which issued to all primary schools recently. This is in line with guidelines agreed between my Department and the education partners. According to my Department's...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (19 May 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The home tuition scheme is primarily intended to provide compensatory instruction for pupils who have a medical ailment that is likely to cause major disruption of their attendance at school. In this context, my Department provides home tuition grants to pupils who cannot attend school at all or are absent for a significant proportion of the school year. Furthermore, while children are...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (19 May 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is finalised for a particular year following discussions with the education partners. The mainstream staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy for...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (19 May 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 to 165, inclusive, together. The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available for 2004-05 as my Department is still collecting and finalising data for the current school year. Data for the 2003-04 school year is provided in the following table.However, the data may be out of date and may not reflect the current position in these schools....

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (19 May 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The application for special educational teaching support for the pupil concerned was referred to the local special educational needs organiser, SENO, for determination. The SENO examined the application and expressed the opinion that as the pupil's special educational needs appear to be within the high incidence disability category, his needs will be catered for under the general allocation...

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (19 May 2005)

Mary Hanafin: On foot of a Government decision, the State Examinations Commission was established on 6 March 2003. The commission now has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. This includes the issue of marking schemes. I can, however, advise the Deputy that the creative writing question in the leaving certificate higher level Irish written examination...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (19 May 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The project at the school referred to by the Deputy has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which was revised following consultation with the education partners. The project will be progressed in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2005-09.

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (19 May 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the site for a school, referred to by the Deputy, in County Kildare is at conveyancing stage. I anticipate that the matter will be concluded in the near future.

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (19 May 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I trust the Deputy is aware that my Department has now completed its review of the general allocation system of resource teaching support. The new model replaces that which was notified to schools in June 2004, which has been reviewed to take account of difficulties that it may have caused for smaller schools. I can confirm that 660 additional special needs teaching posts will be put in place...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (19 May 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I wish to advise the Deputy that the responsibility for the recruitment and employment of special needs assistants, SNAs, rests with the board of management of individual schools. Any queries regarding access to SNAs by parents or guardians should be raised with the school in question. This would normally occur in the first place through the principal or, if necessary, it should be brought to...

Written Answers — Psychological Service: Psychological Service (19 May 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I understand that a psychological assessment has been carried out and that the pupil in question is receiving a range of services from the Health Services Executive. In addition, the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, has approved the appointment of a special needs assistant, SNA, to support him in school. Regular reviews of his progress are carried out, involving the school and...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (19 May 2005)

Mary Hanafin: As I mentioned in my previous reply on this matter, there are a number of issues that remain to be clarified including the specific rationale and function of the centre as well as building and related technical requirements. This necessarily involves other bodies such as An Chomhairle Um Oideachas Gaeltachta and Gaelscolaíochta and the Department for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs....

School Transport. (24 May 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Ba mhaith liom an deis a ghlacadh chun mo chomhbhrón pearsanta a ghabháil le chuile dhuine. I pay particular tribute to all those involved with the emergency services last night, not only for the medical care they provided but also for the social concern and care that was shown to everybody at the scene of the incident and in the hospitals. My sympathies go to the families of the five young...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (24 May 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The school planning section of my Department has assessed the application from the school to which the Deputy refers in accordance with the revised prioritisation criteria and its progress is being considered in the context of the school building programme from 2005 onwards.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 May 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The school to which the Deputy refers applied for temporary accommodation in October of 2004. In the context of the available funding for temporary accommodation and the number of applications for that funding, it was not possible to approve all applications received and only those with an absolute and demonstrated need for additional accommodation were approved.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (24 May 2005)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy is aware, the school was advised on 26 August 2004 that the pupil in question did not meet the criteria for special needs assistant, SNA, support as insufficient evidence of care needs existed. The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, which became operational on 1 January 2005, now processes applications for special educational needs, SEN, supports. The NCSE will...