Results 341-360 of 4,869 for speaker:Seán Haughey

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (27 Feb 2007)

Seán Haughey: I should explain that one of the main objects of the School Transport Scheme is to provide a basic level of service for children who live long distances from school and who might otherwise experience difficulty in attending regularly. As a rule primary school transport routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible child will have more than 2.4 kilometres to travel to a pick-up...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (27 Feb 2007)

Seán Haughey: I should explain that one of the main objects of the School Transport Scheme is to provide a basic level of service for children who live long distances from school and who might otherwise experience difficulty in attending regularly. As a rule, primary school transport routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible child will have more than 2.4 kilometres to travel to a pick-up...

Seanad: Learning to Teach Report: Statements. (27 Feb 2007)

Seán Haughey: I thank the Senators for the lively contributions we have heard during this debate. There is always a very high standard of debate in Seanad Éireann. It is clear that the quality of our education system is as close to the heart of many Senators as it is to the Department of Education and Science. Maintaining quality and ensuring the best educational outcomes for our children is central to...

Seanad: Learning to Teach Report: Statements. (27 Feb 2007)

Seán Haughey: Provision was made in the 2006 Estimates for extra teachers to reduce class sizes in this school year and the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen is committed to doing so again in 2007.

Seanad: Learning to Teach Report: Statements. (27 Feb 2007)

Seán Haughey: The Government firmly believes that the benefits accruing from the re-targeting of resources towards the most vulnerable pupils outweighed a general reduction in class sizes in the first instance. My Department is conscious of its responsibilities with regard to quality in the system. Every year evaluations are carried out in a range of educational settings and now whole school evaluation...

Seanad: Vocational Education Committees (27 Feb 2007)

Seán Haughey: I thank Senator Cummins for raising this matter, as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the position with regard to the funding of community education through the VEC sector. The adult and further education services, including the community education service, are, for the most part, funded by the Department and delivered locally by the vocational education...

Seanad: Vocational Education Committees (27 Feb 2007)

Seán Haughey: The Department will communicate with the VEC on these matters and hopefully we can resolve the situation.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (28 Feb 2007)

Seán Haughey: My Department will request the transport liaison officer for County Kilkenny to examine the situation regarding school transport for the pupil referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied. The transport liaison officer will contact the family when this examination is completed.

Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (28 Feb 2007)

Seán Haughey: The Adult and Further Education services are funded by my Department and delivered locally by the Vocational Education Committees (VECs). Any grant assistance from my Department to community or voluntary groups for English language classes must be channelled through VECs. The White Paper on Adult Education "Learning for Life" (2000) stated that asylum seekers would be entitled to free access...

Seanad: School Staffing. (28 Feb 2007)

Seán Haughey: I thank Senator Bannon for raising this matter today because it gives me the opportunity to outline the position of the Department of Education and Science. The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous year. The number of mainstream posts is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is...

Seanad: School Staffing. (28 Feb 2007)

Seán Haughey: Some level of bureaucracy is necessary to ensure consistency, openness and accountability. The school has the services of one temporary language support teacher and one permanent learning support and resource teacher. The staffing schedule for the next academic year will issue to the school in March 2007. I will bring Senator Bannon's plea to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Hanafin.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (6 Mar 2007)

Seán Haughey: My Department has not carried out a study of the type suggested by the Deputy. However, Bus Éireann, which is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that it proposes to undertake a limited survey of compliance rates. I see information and education as key factors influencing safety-conscious behaviour on school...

Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (6 Mar 2007)

Seán Haughey: Adult and Further Education services are funded by my Department through annual grants and delivered locally by the Vocational Education Committees. One of these annual grants is for Adult Literacy and Community Education. The disbursement of funds for Adult Literacy and Community Education is a matter for each VEC, which, subject to its budget, decides the nature and extent of the Adult...

Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (6 Mar 2007)

Seán Haughey: The national adult literacy services are delivered by the Vocational Education Committees with funding provided by my Department. The disbursement of adult literacy funds is a matter for each VEC, which, subject to its budget, decides the nature of the service to be provided in its area and the manner in which the funds should be spent. In addition to the standard service, some VECs use some...

Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (6 Mar 2007)

Seán Haughey: Last summer, "Towards 2016", the Ten Year Framework Social Partnership Agreement, was ratified. The Framework takes a life cycle perspective, as it addresses the economic challenges, and, in particular, the key social challenges that lie ahead. It focuses on children, people of working age, older people and people with disabilities. Adult literacy and basic education have been the...

Seanad: Community Services Funding. (6 Mar 2007)

Seán Haughey: I think it was Darndale.

Seanad: Community Services Funding. (6 Mar 2007)

Seán Haughey: I will be taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, and I thank Senator Norris for raising this issue. It provides me with an opportunity to reaffirm the Government's commitment to services for older people and explain the current position regarding funding for Choices Local Enterprises. The development of services for...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (6 Mar 2007)

Seán Haughey: I thank the Senator for raising the matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline to the House the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects. Modernising facilities in our 3,200 primary and 750 post-primary schools is not an easy task given the legacy of decades of under-investment in this area as well as the need to respond to emerging needs in areas of rapid...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs. (6 Mar 2007)

Seán Haughey: I am pleased the Senator has given me the opportunity to clarify the position regarding the provision of extra teaching support for children with Down's syndrome. As the Senator will be aware, the Government has established a range of teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs, including those with Down's syndrome. The professionally assessed needs of the...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs. (6 Mar 2007)

Seán Haughey: I will ask the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, to consider this matter further in view of the Senator's comments.