Results 561-580 of 4,869 for speaker:Seán Haughey

Schools Building Projects. (13 Nov 2007)

Seán Haughey: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter as it allows me to apprise the House of the background to, and progress in piloting, a new model of community primary school in Diswellstown. Historically, the church authorities, mainly Catholic and Church of Ireland, acted as patrons or sponsors of primary schools by initiating the process of establishing a new school when one was needed...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (13 Nov 2007)

Seán Haughey: Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme, pupils who reside 3.2 kilometres or more from, and are attending, their nearest suitable national school, as determined by my Department, are eligible for free school transport. Pupils not attending their nearest national school may avail of concessionary fare-paying transport to another school, provided: (a) the written...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (13 Nov 2007)

Seán Haughey: I have already outlined to the Deputy in replies to previous Parliamentary Questions that the law in relation to the use of safety restraint systems in buses reflects the requirements as set down in the relevant EU Directives and that these Directives do not require the provision of such systems for children travelling on buses fitted with safety belts. I also pointed out that the law...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (13 Nov 2007)

Seán Haughey: The Transport Liaison Officer for County Kildare has confirmed that the pupil referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, has been issued with a school transport ticket.

Seanad: Musical Education (14 Nov 2007)

Seán Haughey: I thank the Senator for raising this matter and for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House the position on this matter. I am aware of the importance of using teaching approaches designed to stimulate both sides of the brain and which meet the needs of children with different learning styles. Music helps children to respond creatively, to express feelings and attitudes and to...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (15 Nov 2007)

Seán Haughey: All nominated buses operating within the school transport scheme are fitted with safety belts and all pupils travelling on these vehicles are obliged by law to wear the belts provided. My Department launched a safety campaign at the end of August which highlighted the fact that it is the law to wear a safety belt and children were encouraged to "belt up" whilst travelling on the school bus....

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (15 Nov 2007)

Seán Haughey: The current fuel duty rebate scheme is a matter for the Minister for Finance and the Revenue Commissioners. I understand that in March of this year the European Commission published its decision to refuse all requests for the retention of the fuel duty rebate scheme. My Department understands that officials from the Department of Transport are currently engaging with officials from the...

Foreign Orphanages. (20 Nov 2007)

Seán Haughey: On behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, I share the deep concern and disquiet provoked by the recent BBC documentary "Bulgaria's Abandoned Children". The large number of children resident in state-run institutions in Bulgaria is a difficult legacy of past policies and attitudes. This sad reality must now be addressed and further reforms must be made to protect a particularly...

Schools Building Projects. (20 Nov 2007)

Seán Haughey: I thank the Deputies for giving me the opportunity to outline my Department's position regarding the provision of a new school premises at the location referred to by them. The proposed project involves the construction of a new two-storey eight classroom generic repeat design school, preceded by associated decanting works to facilitate the main project. Planning permission and a fire...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (20 Nov 2007)

Seán Haughey: The expenditure on school transport services for each year since 2000 is as follows:— 2000: €65.08m 2001: €77.05m 2002: €95.98m 2003: €101.73m 2004: €109.84m 2005: €122.15m 2006L €159.68m The allocation for school transport in 2007 is €165 million.

Written Answers — Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme: Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (20 Nov 2007)

Seán Haughey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 393, 394, 415 and 421 together. The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) is a second — chance education initiative, which is funded by my Department, for unemployed persons who are at least 21 years of age and in receipt of certain social welfare payments for at least six months. It is operated through the Vocational Education Committees. The aim...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (20 Nov 2007)

Seán Haughey: Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme pupils who reside 3.2 kilometres or more, and are attending, their nearest suitable school, as determined by my Department, are eligible for free school transport. The pupils referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, do not meet these eligibility criteria. It is open to pupils who are not attending their nearest...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (20 Nov 2007)

Seán Haughey: Transport grants may be paid by my Department to eligible pupils, including special needs pupils. Grants include the remote area grant and assistance to parents of children with special needs where it may not always be possible to facilitate pupils with suitable transport. The expenditure on grants towards the cost of transport at primary level was approximately €3 million in 2006. The...

Young People: Motion (21 Nov 2007)

Seán Haughey: I welcome this debate. It is important Dáil Éireann discusses young people and their problems at this time. I disagree with the contribution of Deputy Shatter. This is not a useless debate. As Minister of State responsible for youth affairs, I have waited a long time for such a debate and welcome the fact we are having a day-long discussion on issues that affect young people. Ireland...

Young People: Motion (21 Nov 2007)

Seán Haughey: The National Youth Council of Ireland welcomed it.

Psychological Service: Motion (Resumed) (21 Nov 2007)

Seán Haughey: I would like to address some of the issues that have arisen in the course of this debate. On the demand for assessments, since 2005, most primary school children with special needs do not need assessments carried out in order to assess extra teaching supports required. The need for assessments has, therefore, been reduced. At the same time, we have made sure that all schools can access...

Psychological Service: Motion (Resumed) (21 Nov 2007)

Seán Haughey: The number of speech and language training places has increased significantly in recent years. The first cohort from the new MA programme in the University of Limerick graduated in 2005, while the first students on the new BA degree programmes in UCC and NUIG graduated this year. I wish to address the tragedy of youth suicide, an issue raised by several Deputies. While a clinical diagnosis...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (21 Nov 2007)

Seán Haughey: Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme pupils who reside 3.2 kilometres or more, and are attending, their nearest suitable school, as determined by my Department, are eligible for free school transport. I am having enquiries made on the basis of the details provided and will revert to the Deputy as soon as these enquiries are completed.

Written Answers — Youthreach Programme: Youthreach Programme (22 Nov 2007)

Seán Haughey: Youthreach Centres are operated by VECs and the staff in the centres are employed by each VEC. The current staffing allocation by my Department to VECs for Youthreach Centres is 4,200 hours per group of 25 learners. From this allocation of hours, VECs employ one coordinator per centre, at least one resource person per group of 25 learners and a mix of teaching and non teaching staff to meet...

Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (22 Nov 2007)

Seán Haughey: The Adult Educational Guidance Initiative, which began in 1999, is being expanded as resources become available. Since then, 38 pilot projects have been established, with an additional 2 projects due to come on stream before the end of 2007. The service caters for any adult who is considering or participating in VTOS, literacy, BTEI and community education programmes. From 2006, the service...