Results 581-600 of 623 for speaker:Síle de Valera

Written Answers — Literacy Levels: Literacy Levels (16 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: The national adult literacy services are delivered by the Vocational Education Committees with funding provided by my Department. The disbursement of adult literacy funds is a matter for each VEC, which, subject to its budget, decides the nature of the service to be provided in its area and the manner in which the funds should be spent. In addition to the standard service, some VECs use...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (16 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: In view of the nature of the transport arrangements available to the family in question my Department has continued to work closely with Bus Éireann if an effort to provide the family with a more suitable service. In the meantime, a letter is being issued to the family explaining the position.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (16 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: There are currently over 3,600 vehicles, including taxis, in operation on school transport services. In October 2005, less than 60% of school transport vehicles were fitted with seat belts. In October 2006, this figure had risen to over 97%. Bus Éireann has advised that December 2006 remains the target date for all vehicles operating on school transport services to be fitted with approved...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (16 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: Over the past 15 months, Bus Éireann has hired in more than 300 additional vehicles from private contractors. My Department has also given approval to the company to acquire 111 modern second hand buses and 50 new dedicated school buses, and some of these buses are already in service.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (16 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: The Deputy will be aware that the planning and organising of school bus routes is an operational matter for Bus Éireann. The families in question should liaise with the local Bus Éireann office regarding any additional costs involved in extending the route of the service.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (21 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme, a pupil is eligible for transport if he or she resides 4.8 kilometres or more from his or her local post primary education centre, that is, the centre serving the catchment area in which he or she lives. The scheme is not designed to facilitate parents who chose to send their children to a post primary centre outside of...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (21 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: In view of the nature of the transport arrangements available to the family in question my Department has worked closely with Bus Éireann in an effort to provide a more suitable service. A letter has issued to the family explaining the position, and offering a remote area grant towards the cost of transport.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (21 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: The case referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied has been considered by the School Transport Appeals Board who found that the present level of service to the school in question is reasonable and that the benefits of an exclusive service would not justify the costs involved. In view of the further issue raised by the Deputy regarding safety of pupils I have brought the matter to the...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (21 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: The case referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied has been considered by the School Transport Appeals Board who found that the present level of service to the school in question is reasonable and that the benefits of an exclusive service would not justify the costs involved. In the circumstances, it is not open to me to re-examine the case.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (21 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: My Department has requested Bus Éireann to provide a report on the situation regarding School Transport for the pupil referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied. When this information is received my Department will contact the family concerned.

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (21 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: I propose to take Questions Nos. 554 to 556, inclusive, together. The Youthreach Programme is an Inter-Departmental initiative which provides two years integrated education, training and work experience to young people aged 15-20 years who are at least six months in the labour market and who have left school early without any qualifications or vocational training. The programme funded by my...

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: With the permission of the House, I would like to share time with Deputy Ó Fearghaíl. Last week I was delighted to be able to announce a 12% increase in 2007 in the financial provision for the adult and further education sector, compared with an increase of roughly 8% for the Department of Education and Science as a whole. Adult and further education expenditure will rise to approximately...

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: I thank the Deputy for his endorsement.

Housing Policy: Motion (Resumed). (22 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: I welcome this opportunity to address some of the issues raised during the course of this debate. We heard much from the Opposition yesterday about the plight of first-time buyers. I reassure the House that access to affordable housing for first-time buyers remains a core objective of the Government's housing policy. This objective is being supported by record levels of housing; one in...

Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (22 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: The Adult Literacy services are administered locally by vocational education committees with funding provided by my Department. A grant is paid annually for this purpose and VECs have complete discretion in distributing literacy funds, deciding on the nature and extent of the service to be provided and the manner in which literacy funds should be spent, subject to adherence to the overall...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (22 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: I propose to take Questions Nos. 404 and 406 together. My Department agreed to sanction the continuance of the existing transport arrangements, referred to by the Deputy, for the current school year. The families in question will be notified of any change in these arrangements in advance of the next school year.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (28 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: All of the 2,500 post-primary school transport services are on a one-for-one seating basis and it is expected that all of the primary school services will also be on a similar seating basis by the end of December, 2006. In addition, the Bus Éireann school bus fleet have been fitted with seat belts and over 97% of the private contractors buses are also fitted with seat belts. Bus Éireann...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (28 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: All of the Bus Éireann school bus fleet have been fitted with seat belts and over 97% of the private contractors buses are also fitted with seat belts. Bus Éireann have advised that December 2006 remains the target date for all vehicles operating on school transport services to be fitted with approved seat belts.

Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (28 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 126 together. Government commitment to the PLC sector, by reference to the resources applied in teachers' pay, non-pay running costs, student support and certification costs, is very significant. We have increased the number of PLC places by 60% since 1996/97. Indeed, the number of PLC places approved for 2005/2006 is up by more than 1,600 on the...

Written Answers — Youthreach Programme: Youthreach Programme (28 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: The Youthreach Programme is an Inter-Departmental initiative which provides two years integrated education, training and work experience to young people aged 15-20 years who are at least six months in the labour market and who have left school early without any qualifications or vocational training. The programme funded by my Department is delivered in out of school centres and is managed by...