Results 561-580 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Substance Misuse: Substance Misuse (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: Drug use and the dangers of drug addiction are addressed in the substance use module of the junior cycle social, personal and health education, SPHE, curriculum which was introduced in September 2000. One of aims of the SPHE curriculum is to enable students to develop an informed and sensible attitude to substances, including drugs, so that they can make responsible and healthy decisions in...

Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Scheme: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: On the basis of the most recent information available from the Residential Institutions Redress Board, the board has received 3,540 applications. To date, the board has completed the process in 1,070 cases. The average award is approximately €80,000. The board provides regular updates as to the number of claims received on its website, www.rirb.ie. I have received the board's first annual...

Written Answers — Substance Misuse: Substance Misuse (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I am aware of the survey, conducted by the ASTI, referred to by the Deputy. While education has a role in addressing the problem of the misuse of substances, particularly alcohol misuse, effecting change in this area also depends on consistent support from the drinks industry, parents and society as a whole. A responsible attitude to the promotion of alcohol, especially in targeting young...

Written Answers — Teaching Qualifications: Teaching Qualifications (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I established a working group to review all aspects of the syllabus and examination for the scrúdú le haghaidh cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge in 2001. A copy of its report has been published on my Department's website. An updated language syllabus for the SCG has also been published on my Department's website together with an examination handbook, with sample questions and answers, and will...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: Since 1998 almost €2 billion has been invested in the school building programme at both primary and post-primary levels, the largest investment programme in the history of the State. This year's school building programme at €388 million is the largest in the history of the State. It will deliver more than 260 significant school building projects at primary and post-primary level. Some 209...

Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Scheme: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I assume the issues to which the Deputy refers relate to the recent case of a person who went on hunger strike as he was dissatisfied with the outcome of the redress process. This person has ceased his hunger strike and has taken the option of recommencing his case in the courts. The Government has agreed to do everything it possibly can to expedite a hearing and, taking into account the...

Written Answers — Teacher Training: Teacher Training (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: There is very little information available to indicate how prevalent voice problems may be among the general teaching profession here. The issue does not appear to have arisen heretofore in the context of general training needs, although general principles of voice production are addressed in relation to teaching music and drama. There have been reports recently in the media concerning a new...

Written Answers — Psychological Service: Psychological Service (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: My attention has been drawn to the survey quoted and I have made inquiries about the current situation. My Department established the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, in 1999 for a number of reasons, including concerns that many children did not have access at that time to psychological assessments. NEPS is not yet up to full strength, but my Department is committed to...

Written Answers — Student Profiles: Student Profiles (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The selection and enrolment of pupils in second level schools is the responsibility of the authorities of the individual school. Under section 15 (2) (d) of the Education Act 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that as regards that policy principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents' choice...

Written Answers — Institutes of Technology: Institutes of Technology (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The Dublin Institute of Technology is a statutory body established under the Dublin Institute of Technology Act 1992. Under that Act the governance and day to day activities of the institute are matters for which the governing body and the management staff of the institute are responsible. I understand the back-pay referred to by the Deputy arises from the terms of the Protection of Employees...

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: Since my appointment as Minister for Education and Science, I have made it clear that addressing educational disadvantage is my top priority. By ensuring that available educational resources are targeted at the most disadvantaged people in the education system at all levels, my objective is to ensure that all young people leave the education system with a high quality education and related...

Written Answers — Inquiry into Child Abuse: Inquiry into Child Abuse (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: Since publication of Judge Ryan's review of the work of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, the commission has held meetings with all interested parties, including the Department of Education and Science and representative groups, to facilitate them in expressing their views on the content of the reports and to enable them to make suggestions on the future operation of the...

Written Answers — School League Tables: School League Tables (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: It is desirable that parents and the public in general have information about schools that is meaningful, fair and fully rounded. At present this information can often be anecdotal and based on hearsay. More recently, we have seen the introduction of an unofficial form of league table based upon third level entry patterns. The issue here is not about crude league tables based upon raw...

Written Answers — Departmental Information Packs: Departmental Information Packs (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The matter referred to by the Deputy is subject to inquiries in the Standards in Public Office Commission. Out of courtesy to the commission, I will respond to the Deputy when its inquiries are completed.

Written Answers — Departmental Information Packs: Departmental Information Packs (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I will arrange to provide samples of the information to the Deputy. No political party was specifically notified that the Department of Education and Science has an information and press service but, to my knowledge, all of them are aware of the fact and most have sought information over several decades. I would never regard the dissemination of factual information as unethical.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: This year's school building programme is the largest in the history of the State. Included in the overall funding of €388 million was an additional amount of €30 million, details of which were announced earlier this year. A total of 32 schools — 17 primary and 15 post-primary — will benefit from this additional €30 million investment. In fact, the total funding allocation in 2004...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The review of the school transport scheme is being finalised within my Department. I am not yet in a position to say when deliberations on the report will be finally completed.

Written Answers — Student Councils: Student Councils (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The working group on student councils, which is chaired by the National Children's Office and is representative of students and all the partners in education was set up to encourage the establishment of effective and democratic student councils in all post-primary schools in the country. This is in accordance with the Education Act 1998, which encourages the establishment of student councils...

Written Answers — Third Level Courses: Third Level Courses (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I am aware of the proposal by the University of Limerick for the development of a post-graduate medical education programme. I understand that this proposal is under development and a formal request for approval has not yet been submitted to the relevant authorities. As the Deputy will be aware, a working group on undergraduate medical education has been established under the chairmanship of...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Status: Disadvantaged Status (18 May 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 109 together. The early start pre-school project was established in 40 primary schools in designated areas of urban disadvantage in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Drogheda and Dundalk during 1994 and 1995. The aims of Early Start are to expose young children to an educational programme which would enhance their overall development, prevent...