Results 3,921-3,940 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Schools Amalgamation: Schools Amalgamation (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 524 and 525 together. As stated in my reply to the parliamentary questions to which the Deputy refers, architectural assessments have recently been carried out on all four primary schools to determine which, if any, would be suitable to act as hosts for the proposed rationalisation at primary level in New Ross. These assessments will enable my Department to...

Written Answers — School Closures: School Closures (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The future viability of the school referred to by the Deputy is a matter of concern to my Department in view of the low and declining enrolment. The school authorities have been issued notification, in accordance with section 11 of the Education Act 1998, that it is proposed to withdraw recognition from the school. My officials are in contact with the school authority on this matter.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The information sought by the Deputy is being collated by officials in my Department and it will be forwarded directly to him as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Officials in my Department are guided by the Department of Finance 1999 Guidelines on Engaging Consultants in the Civil Service when commissioning outside consultants for specific projects. These guidelines have been reviewed and augmented in the light of the Quigley report recommendations. In addition, the Government has recently decided that Secretaries General-Accounting Officers will be...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The process for the engagement of consultants by Departments generally is regulated by guidelines issued by the Department of Finance. This document covers all elements from the establishment of need, through the procurement process to the monitoring of the project. The need to ensure value for money is paramount in the entire process.

Written Answers — Inquiry into Child Abuse: Inquiry into Child Abuse (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I confirm that in 2004 the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse held a series of public hearings into the emergence of child abuse in Ireland and that evidence was given by a representative of the De La Salle Order to the investigation committee at these public hearings on 14 July 2004 in which reference was made to allegations of abuse in the school mentioned by the Deputy in 1991, 1994...

Written Answers — Inquiry into Child Abuse: Inquiry into Child Abuse (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: In March 1998 the Government decided there was a need for a formal and comprehensive response to people who were abused as children while in institutional care. Arising from this the Government established a Cabinet sub-committee to advise the Government on measures it should introduce to fully address the matter. The Cabinet sub-committee considered best international practice and a range of...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Under the terms of the higher education grants scheme which is administered by the local authorities, on behalf of my Department, the position is that generally, students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. There are similar provisions in...

Written Answers — Schools Amalgamation: Schools Amalgamation (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The amalgamation of two national schools in Drogheda, Scoil Mhuire Fatima and St. Mary's Boys, was one of 43 projects authorised by me in March of this year to commence architectural planning. An advertisement seeking suitably qualified design team consultants was placed in the Official Journal of the European Union on 10 June. This competitive selection process will be completed shortly by...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The scope of works to which the Deputy refers is appropriate for consideration under the summer works scheme. While the school in question has submitted an application under the 2006 summer works scheme, it has not applied for grant aid towards the resurfacing of its yard. All primary schools receive an annual minor works grant from my Department. Each school gets a standard rate of €3,809...

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The higher education grants scheme operates under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts 1968 to 1992. An approved institution is defined to mean a university, college or other institution of higher education in so far as it provides a course, or courses, of not less than two years duration at undergraduate level and not less than one years duration at postgraduate level, being...

Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Scheme: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I welcome the steps being taken by the Law Society to investigate and deal with complaints in relation to some solicitors charging victims of abuse legal fees in respect of work carried out before the redress board. I will not be satisfied, however, as to the adequacy of the society's response in this regard until all persons who were wrongly charged fees are fully reimbursed and action is...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: An inspection of the roof of the school referred to by the Deputy has taken place. Arrangements are being put in place to have the necessary repairs carried out as soon as possible.

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The primary school curriculum 1999 was developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, whose function is to advise the Minister for Education and Science on curriculum review and assessment. It is an integrated, child-centred curriculum which aims to meet the needs of all children in all schools. The NCCA's work was assisted by committees, representing all the principal...

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I refer the Deputy to my reply of 11 October 2005 on the priorities for the development of the youth work sector identified for 2005. The following is the up-to-date position. With regard to the Youth Work Act 2001, discussions are continuing between my Department and the Department of Finance on the resources being sought by VECs to fulfil their requirements under the Act. Following recent...

Written Answers — Education Schemes: Education Schemes (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 543 and 544 together. Arrangements have been put in place enabling teachers qualified outside the State to be granted recognition to teach in primary schools provided that their qualifications meet the requirements set by my Department. Two forms of recognition are granted to these teachers: provisional recognition to commence teaching in mainstream primary...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: My Department uses, as a basic yardstick to assist architects in assessing the value for money of designs for building projects, a basic building cost, BBC, per square metre. The current BBC for primary schools is €1,170 per square metre. The Deputy should be aware that ultimately it is the market that determines the actual tender price for all projects and such prices fluctuate depending...

Written Answers — Health Action Plan: Health Action Plan (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Schools are privately owned, privately managed institutions which, although funded by the State, enjoy a large degree of autonomy. It is, therefore, primarily a matter for each school to decide on the types of food that are available on the school premises. I am not aware of any impediment that would prevent schools imposing a ban on the selling or advertising of certain foodstuffs on school...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The main eligibility conditions of my Department's free fees initiative are that students must be first time undergraduates, hold EU nationality or official refugee status and have been ordinarily resident in an EU member state for three of the five years preceding entry to an approved course. The third level institutions are autonomous bodies and, as such, may determine the level of fees to...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The property management section of the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally, is continuing to explore a number of site options for the school referred to by the Deputy. When the site issue is resolved, the architectural design and construction of the new school will be considered in the context of the school building and...