Results 461-480 of 504 for speaker:Mary White
- Computerisation Programme (9 Nov 2010)
Mary White: The education centres are providing good service in upskilling teachers in ICT training. This is manifested-----
- Computerisation Programme (9 Nov 2010)
Mary White: -----in many of the centres around the country. As the first step in implementing the recommendations of the report on broadband, a total of â¬22 million in ICT grants was issued to primary schools in 2009 and a further â¬45 million was also issued to schools. In tandem with the funding for schools there is also funding for teacher training. I will get that figure for the Deputy if she...
- Computerisation Programme (9 Nov 2010)
Mary White: I can provide the Deputy with figures at a later date about the numbers partaking in the upskilling services for ICT training.
- School Books (9 Nov 2010)
Mary White: The acquisition of books, whether through second-hand purchase, as in the website to which the Deputy refers, or through a school rental scheme, is a matter for parents. However, I welcome any initiative which provides an opportunity for parents and students to acquire books, or dispose of unwanted books, in an efficient manner which reduces costs to parents. Apart from a small number of...
- School Books (9 Nov 2010)
Mary White: The Department is interested in finding new ways of supporting schools, parents and children in the new digital economy. In my own constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny, the Kilkenny Outreach Centre is doing tremendous work with mobile telephone applications for children. There is no question that the website to which the Deputy referred enjoys a significant level of traffic and anything that...
- School Books (9 Nov 2010)
Mary White: Booksellers also face problems where schools change books at a rapid pace. However, there is a greater focus on the part of schools on changing books only where it is necessary to do so. Workbooks are being streamlined and some textbooks contain workbook pages, which decrease the expense for parents. I am happy to consider anything, including the Internet, that can cut costs and help...
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (23 Nov 2010)
Mary White: In 2008 the European Commission published proposals to amend the 1992 Maternity Leave Directive by extending the period of maternity leave from 14 to 18 weeks. The Commission did not propose any change to the payment regime during this proposed period of maternity leave. The period in question is below the current Irish provision of 26 weeks and, accordingly, the Commission proposal did not...
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (30 Nov 2010)
Mary White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 300 and 301 together. In relation to the Deputy's questions on maternity leave, I will draw his attention to my response to Question No. 359 of 23 November 2010. The European Parliament also initiated the proposal to amend the European Commission's draft Directive further by introducing paid paternity leave in the course of its consideration of the Maternity...
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
Mary White: I am delighted to be able to speak on this year's budget and to talk about the budgetary allocations for which I have responsibility. I also want to speak briefly about my party's input into the budget. There were no easy decisions, as everybody in this House knows. Every choice was made with acute awareness of how difficult these decisions will be for everybody in the country and they were...
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
Mary White: I agree with Ms Faremo that societies that fail to tap the full talents of 50% of their population are less likely to achieve political legitimacy, social cohesion and economic growth â the essential building blocks of peace. I am working hard to promote more women in politics and I will be launching an initiative on that shortly.
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
Mary White: I have plenty of time. In times of economic difficulty focus has to be maintained on employment and enterprise supports. In this context the Equality for Women Measure funding, which my Department provides, has been fully protected. Some â¬2.42 million is being allocated for the gender mainstreaming subhead, which will fund the latest strand of the Equality for Women Measure, which is...
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
Mary White: This community remains vulnerable, but I have given time and effort to engaging with representative groups and individuals throughout the year, and I am pleased that the equality monitoring allocation for 2011 will ensure current initiatives continue. The funding of Traveller Focus Week and a very positive conflict mediation pilot project in the midlands will, I hope, also continue next year....
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
Mary White: There also will be no cut in the number of SNAs or national education psychologists. I hope Deputy Crawford is pleased with that.
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
Mary White: These are important statements to parents and students that a good learning environment for our children is something we value, and that we want all children to be able to access third level education. That is why I am delighted there is no return of third level fees.
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
Mary White: Before I finish, I want to refer to the old age pension, which we have protected.
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
Mary White: Many of our elderly have contributed to the State all their lives-----
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
Mary White: -----and rely on the old age pension. We have given them some peace of mind and security for the year ahead,-----
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
Mary White: Some of the older pensioners, who did not benefit from the experience of the Celtic tiger years, some of whom may be infirm or suffering from poor health, now have the security of a pension that is protected, and I am proud of that. Particularly in the years ahead, we must ensure that they have that pension. The economic stimuli in this budget are components which the Green Party, as a...
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
Mary White: These are small steps, but they are necessary steps. I am reminded of my old history teacher in the Ursuline convent in Waterford, the long-since deceased Angela McGrath. When we were struggling boarding students she used to quote Winston Churchill to us and she used to say, "never never never never ever give up". We on this side of the House will not give up, to get things right for our...
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
Mary White: The Deputy obviously does not listen to his union friends.