Results 2,641-2,660 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin
- Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy is aware, a new scheme for allocating resource teachers to schools to cater for the needs of children with high incidence special needs and learning support needs, was announced last month. The reason for the new scheme is simple. Children with special needs such as dyslexia or mild learning difficulties are found in almost every school. It makes sense then that every school...
- Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Hanafin: On foot of a Government decision, the then Minister for Education and Science formally established the State Examinations Commission on 6 March 2003. The commission now has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. This includes the matter raised by the Deputy. I have forwarded your question to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply.
- Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy is aware, my Department is considering the application in question. A decision will be conveyed to the school as quickly as possible.
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Hanafin: I can confirm to the Deputy that tenders have been received for works at the school to which he refers. My Department is examining this documentation and a decision will be notified to the school authority as quickly as possible.
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Hanafin: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the school in question received a grant for roof repairs under the 2004 summer works scheme and has been allocated funding for mechanical and electrical works and for structural repairs under the 2005 summer works scheme.
- Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy is aware, my Department has issued a letter to all primary schools notifying them of their teaching allocation under the new general allocation model for the 2005-06 school year. The letter also includes details of any clustering arrangements that may apply. My Department is also finalising a circular for schools which will contain detailed information on how the new system will...
- Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Hanafin: The Deputy may be aware that the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, which was established recently and which has been operational since 1 January 2005, is responsible for processing applications for special educational needs, SEN, supports. Some 71 special educational needs organisers have been recruited throughout the country and will be a focal point of contact for schools and...
- Written Answers — Vocational Education Committees: Vocational Education Committees (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Hanafin: The Deputy will be aware that I decided to terminate the original inquiry and establish a new inquiry with new terms of reference. The officer conducting the new inquiry is proceeding with his work. I have not sought an interim report and I do not propose to do so. I am not in a position at present to provide a specific timescale for presentation of the report. However, I understand that the...
- Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Hanafin: The detailed information in regard to school buses used to serve schools in County Clare is not readily available. However, all vehicles operating under the school transport scheme are required to meet the statutory regulations laid down by the Department of Transport. Where vehicles have more than eight adult seats and are more than one year old, they are required to pass that Department's...
- Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Hanafin: A report on this case has been requested from the transport liaison officer, County Mayo VEC. The Deputy will be advised of the position when the report has been received and assessed.
- Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Hanafin: The early start project is a one-year, pre-school intervention and children must be between the ages of three and four on 1 September of the year they are enrolled. The approach taken in early start is to establish groups of 15 pupils in existing primary schools in disadvantaged areas, with each class being run by a primary school teacher and a qualified child care worker. With regard to...
- Written Answers — School Services Staff: School Services Staff (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Hanafin: The school referred to by the Deputy receives funding under the ancillary services grant scheme towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services. The standard rate of grant per pupil under the scheme, which applies in the case of the school in question, was increased from â¬102 to â¬127 per pupil in 2004 and is being further increased to â¬133 per pupil this year. The scheme is...
- Written Answers — School Services Staff: School Services Staff (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Hanafin: Full-time caretakers employed under my Department's 1979 scheme who have been appointed since 1 August 1990 are obliged to retire on reaching the age of 65. The school referred to by the Deputy employs a caretaker who is due to retire on 6 November 2005. A submission from the school was received by my Department on 1 March 2005. It requested that the caretaker be retained past his 65th...
- Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 695 and 735 together. I am pleased to inform the Deputies that my Department is prepared to approve the concessionary post in question for the 2005-06 school year. The position will be reviewed for the 2006-07 school year.
- Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Hanafin: An application for capital funding from the school referred to by the Deputy was considered under the recent review of all projects which did not proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme. Under this review, all projects were assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised last year following consultation with the education...
- Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Hanafin: A request for funding under the special projects for youth scheme has been received in my Department in relation to the project referred to by the Deputy. My Department is considering this request and all other applications made for youth work funding in 2005 having regard to the overall level of financial resources available for the youth sector. A decision will be given in this case as soon...
- Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Hanafin: Teacher allocations to second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. Each school management authority is required to organise its teaching time-table and subject options having regard to pupils needs within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. The rules for allocating teaching resources provide...
- Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Hanafin: My Department has issued a letter to all primary schools notifying them of their teaching allocation under the new general allocation model for the 2005-06 school year. The letter also includes details of clustering arrangements that may apply. The general allocation model was constructed so that allocations would be based on pupil numbers, taking into account the differing needs of the most...
- Written Answers — School Surveys: School Surveys (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Hanafin: The specific information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. I am acutely aware of the administrative burden placed on schools and the effect this has on the workload of principals. I have started a process of review of the administrative burden imposed on schools arising from departmental and legislative requirements. I believe that we can collectively seek...
- Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Hanafin: I travelled to Philadelphia and New York for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations, accompanied by two persons in my party. The duration of the visit was nine days. The total cost of the trip has not yet been finalised but the amount paid to date by my Department is â¬10,283.95.