Results 361-380 of 623 for speaker:Síle de Valera

Seanad: School Transport: Statements. (24 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: They will be.

Seanad: School Transport: Statements. (24 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: December 2006.

Seanad: School Transport: Statements. (24 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: What time of year would the Senator suggest?

Seanad: School Transport: Statements. (24 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: I will have an opportunity to mention it when I am concluding.

Seanad: School Transport: Statements. (24 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I am delighted to be here to listen to the Senators' remarks. My overriding concern is safety. I hope the ethos of safety permeates the speech I gave earlier and, more important, the day to day work we do in the Department on all of the issues referred to today, particularly those on the three for two seats, seat belts etc. Getting rid of the three-for-two meant we...

Seanad: School Transport: Statements. (24 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: I was just coming to that. Bus Éireann also services its vehicles every 12 weeks or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. Senator Burke and others raised the important point this afternoon of the independent review of Bus Éireann buses. It is incorrect for Senator Burke to state the Taoiseach made a statement under pressure to this effect in the Dáil earlier. The day before the Taoiseach...

Seanad: School Transport: Statements. (24 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: It would not be in the middle of school year. The teachers would realise it would cause even more disruption to the students if it was not done during the summer months.

Seanad: School Transport: Statements. (24 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: It is important to point out that at the beginning of every school year there can and will be delays, as people see if they have a concessionary place on a bus. Many people eligible for buses do not let the Department know early enough to deal with the issue.

Seanad: School Transport: Statements. (24 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: That is the reason we had the problems relating to the three-for-two system.

Seanad: School Transport: Statements. (24 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: Senator Tuffy referred to whether the target would be met on the three-for-two issue. Eligible people have not contacted the Department to let us know the position, and we cannot give away a place which is already designated for an eligible person unless we know that eligible person does not wish to take the place. I refer particularly to the order on a school bus, a matter which Senator...

Seanad: School Transport: Statements. (24 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: I want to refer to an issue which Senator Dooley raised, namely, the standards of the school transport scheme. The standards are very high, and those in the scheme must comply with all the rules and regulation set down by the Department of Transport. If Senator Dooley has evidence, he should let the relevant authorities know. None of us would stand over a situation as described by the...

Youth Services. (25 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: The national youth work development plan, which was published in 2003, identifies four main goals for the development of youth work in Ireland and proposes 50 action points to achieve these goals over a five-year period. My Department has been actively engaged in consultations with the national youth work advisory committee regarding the prioritised implementation of the plan. Based on these...

Youth Services. (25 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: I disagree with the Deputy's assertion that not much was done in the past year. The Youth Work Act and the development plan have been worked on in consultation with those involved in youth work. NYWAC is established to advise the Minister of the day. Priorities in rolling out this work are discussed through that body. The consultations with NYWAC have highlighted areas such as the targets,...

Youth Services. (25 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: The Deputy has made sweeping statements. He should talk to those directly involved in NYWAC——

Youth Services. (25 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: ——both the statutory and voluntary representatives on the committee, who have the responsibility in law to advise the Minister of the day on priorities. We have those consultations on foot of which I make decisions. Last year there was an 18% increase in funding, which was the biggest increase this section ever got.

Youth Services. (25 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: There was a further increase this year.

Youth Services. (25 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: In the youth sector we are working to ensure that the needs of the marginalised youth in particular are addressed.

School Transport. (25 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: An independent review requested by my colleague, the Minister for Transport, is currently being carried out within Bus Éireann. This review will look at the arrangements and systems in place for the management, operation and maintenance of the fleet of buses owned and contracted by Bus Éireann to ensure ongoing safety and roadworthiness. My officials will liaise with the Department of...

School Transport. (25 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: The responsibility for legislation on safety is with the Department of Transport. That is why the Department of Education and Science is in constant touch with the Department of Transport regarding school transport. In my initial reply I named two issues that we have discussed at length with the Department of Transport, namely the phasing out of three seats for two and the question of the...

School Transport. (25 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: As I said, the situation is being reviewed independently within Bus Éireann. This review was instigated by the Minister last Tuesday. He has asked Bus Éireann to look at the management systems and operation and maintenance of school buses.