Results 4,941-4,960 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (15 Dec 2005)
Mary Hanafin: In the case of the existing five PPP schools, while the operator is responsible for the vending machines, the location, content and availability of vending machines were agreed through discussion between the operator and the school authorities concerned. For example, timers are fitted to all of the vending machines to ensure that students only have access to the machines at the appropriate...
- Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (15 Dec 2005)
Mary Hanafin: My Department fully recognises the key role of physical exercise, PE, within the school environment and continues to respond to the need to improve PE facilities for all pupils attending primary and post-primary schools. The provision of such facilities is an integral part of the design process for new school buildings or where an existing school building is undergoing major refurbishment. In...
- Written Answers — Multi-Denominational Schools: Multi-Denominational Schools (15 Dec 2005)
Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 88 together. In making their case for funding to me Educate Together also raised the issue for support for newly establishing schools. To support such schools I am introducing a new grant of â¬10,000 payable in two instalments of â¬5,000 for the boards of management of newly establishing schools in respect of training of the boards of management and...
- Written Answers — Third Level Education: Third Level Education (15 Dec 2005)
Mary Hanafin: The number of PhD graduations from the university sector in 2000-03, the latest year for which the figures are available, is as follows: 571 in 2000, 572 in 2001, 602 in 2002 and 611 in 2003. The Deputy should note that this refers to the university sector alone. The information for the institutes of technology, the Dublin Institute of Technology and other third level institutions is...
- Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (15 Dec 2005)
Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 92 together. A number of activities are currently under way that will inform any review of Irish in the curriculum and examination system. The inspectorate of my Department has carried out an evaluation of the teaching and learning of Irish in the junior cycle in 10% of schools and a report on the findings will be published in 2006. In addition, my...
- Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (15 Dec 2005)
Mary Hanafin: This Government is strongly committed to improving participation and achievement at every level of education. We have put the resources and supports in place to ensure that there is a wide range of course options available in the further and higher education sectors for young people who wish to continue their studies after second level and for people returning to education later in life....
- Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (15 Dec 2005)
Mary Hanafin: One of the general aims of modern foreign language syllabi at both junior and leaving certificate levels is to enable students to participate fruitfully in a range of everyday oral transactions in the target language both at home and abroad. This general aim is reflected in the communicative nature of the syllabi and in the fact that assessment of oral competence is given significant...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (15 Dec 2005)
Mary Hanafin: My Department has reserved three sites for the future provision of educational facilities in the Adamstown strategic development zone. It is planned that at least one of these sites will cater for a multi-school campus arrangement. The school planning section of my Department has been engaged in discussions with the land owners of the sites concerned for some time regarding the issues of site...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (15 Dec 2005)
Mary Hanafin: Major building projects cannot easily be delivered in a short period of time. A complex range of factors governs the life cycle of any potential building project from design through compliance with the planning process to construction. New ways such as the devolved building initiatives for small rural schools, the permanent accommodation initiative and the summer works scheme show my...
- Written Answers — Third Level Education: Third Level Education (15 Dec 2005)
Mary Hanafin: In November 2004, my Department conducted a major review of such organisations, with a view to securing their compliance with section 52 of the Universities Act 1997. Arising from this review, my Department has undertaken a number of actions including: agreement of new procedures with the Companies Registration Office, including the conducting of a rigorous review of applications for...
- Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Scheme: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (15 Dec 2005)
Mary Hanafin: Under the terms of the indemnity agreement reached with the religious congregations on 5 June 2002, the congregations agreed to make a contribution of â¬128 million towards the redress scheme. This was broken down as follows: a cash contribution of â¬41.14 million; provision of counselling services for â¬10 million; and property transfers of â¬76.86 million. The congregations paid the...
- Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (15 Dec 2005)
Mary Hanafin: The Pensions Ombudsman can investigate complaints referred to him by an actual or potential beneficiary of an occupational pension scheme or a personal retirement savings account, PRSA. These complaints can be against trustees, managers, employers, former employers or administrators. The annual report of the Pensions Ombudsman for 2004, published earlier this year, raised issues regarding...
- Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (15 Dec 2005)
Mary Hanafin: The NCCA's proposals for the future development of senior cycle education in Ireland were drawn up following a widespread consultative process, in which students' opinions were heard in number of ways. The initial online survey offered the public at large an opportunity to respond to the issues raised in the discussion paper on senior cycle education which was circulated by the NCCA in...
- Written Answers — Education Welfare Service: Education Welfare Service (15 Dec 2005)
Mary Hanafin: The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the board are to ensure that each child attends a recognised school...
- Written Answers — Psychological Service: Psychological Service (15 Dec 2005)
Mary Hanafin: The number of National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, psychologists has increased almost three-fold, from 43 on establishment to 121 at present. The Public Appointments Service has recently established new recruitment panels for NEPS. Regional panels are now in place and my Department is currently in the process of appointing psychologists. Priority will be given to filling...
- Written Answers — Vending Machines in Schools: Vending Machines in Schools (15 Dec 2005)
Mary Hanafin: Schools are 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 devise guidelines on the types of food that are available on the school premises and such policies should be driven by the needs and welfare of the pupils. I know that many schools have developed healthy eating policies in...
- Written Answers — Education Welfare Service: Education Welfare Service (15 Dec 2005)
Mary Hanafin: The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The general functions of the board are to ensure that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education. To discharge its responsibilities, the board is developing a nationwide service that is...
- Written Answers — Education Welfare Service: Education Welfare Service (15 Dec 2005)
Mary Hanafin: The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the board are to ensure that each child attends a recognised school...
- Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (15 Dec 2005)
Mary Hanafin: A total of 55,222 candidates participated in the established leaving certificate examination in 2004. Of this number, some 14,878 candidates sat the leaving certificate Gaeilge examination at higher level. This represented just over 30% of the total cohort of 48,962 candidates taking the Gaeilge examination that year. Gaeilge is offered at three levels in the leaving certificate, namely,...
- Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (15 Dec 2005)
Mary Hanafin: The enrolment of pupils, including pupils with special educational needs, is a matter in the first instance for schools, parents and guardians. The Education Act 1998 requires all schools to have in place an admissions policy, detailing admission to and participation by students with disabilities or other special educational needs. The Act requires schools to ensure that the principles of...