Results 7,221-7,240 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (15 Jun 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The application for capital funding from the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed and schedules of accommodation to meet the current and projected accommodation needs of the school have been drawn up by my Department. The further progression of this project will be considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme 2006-2010.

Written Answers — Third Level Colleges: Third Level Colleges (20 Jun 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I understand that An Bord of NCAD recently decided that it wishes to remain at the Thomas Street campus. My Department, in association with the Higher Education Authority (HEA), is willing to consider the implications of this decision in the context of the original campus development plan or any amendment of it that the College Authorities decide to put forward.

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (20 Jun 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. If the Deputy would like information on a particular school or schools, my officials would be happy to provide it. Major improvements have been made in primary school staffing in recent years. Next September there will no less than 4000 extra teachers in our primary schools, compared with 2002. Not only is the...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (20 Jun 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department issued a tender approval letter in March 2006 for the proposed project at the school in question. The project consists of the following: (1) The restoration & refurbishment of the original 19th century school building at St. Peter's National School, which is a protected structure; (2) The demolition of buildings to the rear of the retained...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (20 Jun 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I can confirm that there are approximately 63 special classes for children with specific speech and language disorder in primary schools nationwide. The classes operate at a pupil teacher ratio of 7:1. Responsibility for enrolment to these classes rests with the individual school authority and my Department would not hold any information in relation to waiting lists for these classes. As the...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (20 Jun 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 451 and 479 together. The Property Management Section of the Office of Public Works which acts on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally has been requested to source a site for the gaelscoil in question. While a suitable parcel of land has been identified, an map of the specific area offered for sale is awaited from the vendor. This...

Written Answers — Home Tuition: Home Tuition (20 Jun 2006)

Mary Hanafin: My officials will forward an application form for home tuition to the family referred to by the Deputy. When this is returned to my Department it will be considered and a decision will be conveyed to the family subsequently.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (20 Jun 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 453 and 454 together. In light of the reality that pupils in the high-incidence disability categories of mild and borderline mild general learning disability and dyslexia are distributed throughout the education system, my Department, in consultation with educational interests, developed a general model of learning support/resource teacher allocation to...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (20 Jun 2006)

Mary Hanafin: An application for capital funding towards the provision of a new school on a greenfield site has been received from the school authority of Listellick National School. The application has been assessed and the long-term projected staffing figure on which accommodation needs will be based has been determined. The Office of Public Works which acts on my behalf of my Department in relation to...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Status: Disadvantaged Status (20 Jun 2006)

Mary Hanafin: In my opinion, it is desirable that parents and the public in general have information about schools that is meaningful, fair and fully rounded. Data on school retention in respect of individual schools or local areas are not provided by my Department as these could be used to create statistical comparisons that take account of only one dimension of school performance and outcomes and do not...

Written Answers — Schools Amalgamation: Schools Amalgamation (20 Jun 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Teacher allocations to second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. Each school management authority is required to organise its teaching time-table and subject options having regard to pupils needs within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. The rules for allocating teaching resources provide...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (20 Jun 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The assessment of means under my Department's Third Level Student Maintenance Grant Schemes is based on gross income from all sources, with specified social welfare and health board payments being excluded from the calculation. Under the schemes reckonable income is defined as income from: Employment/Pensions; Self Employment/Farming; Rent and income from Land/Property; Deposit/Investment...

Written Answers — Third Level Charges: Third Level Charges (20 Jun 2006)

Mary Hanafin: My Department has received correspondence in relation to this case. However, it is considered that the complaint is one which can be adequately addressed through the internal processes of the University itself.

Written Answers — Schools Recognition: Schools Recognition (20 Jun 2006)

Mary Hanafin: It is my Department's policy to support the provision of all-Irish school facilities at primary and post-primary level in all areas where a demand for such provision is clearly demonstrated and no alternative exists within a reasonable distance. An application has been received from the founding committee to establish a Gaelcholáiste in the area referred to and is under active consideration...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (20 Jun 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The most recent comparative figures which are available relate to the 2003/2004 year and indicate that this was the case at that time. However, the Deputy will be aware that major improvements have been made in primary school staffing in recent years. Next September there will no less than 4,000 extra teachers in our primary schools, compared with 2002. Not only is the average class size in...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (20 Jun 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I wish to advise the Deputy that the enrolment of a pupil in a primary school is a matter for the school's Board of Management. I can confirm that the local special educational needs organiser is liaising with the school authorities in relation to an application to have the child enrolled in the school in question.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (20 Jun 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The recruitment, employment and dismissal of individual Special Need Assistants (SNAs) are matters for each school authority. My Department understands from the Board of Management of the school referred to by the Deputy, that the Special Need Assistant in question has been employed under a FÁS Community Employment Scheme. The SNA is not on my Department's payroll and any issues in relation...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (20 Jun 2006)

Mary Hanafin: An application for capital funding towards the provision of an extension project has been received from the school to which the Deputy refers. My Department has recently sought clarification from the school authorities in relation to aspects of the proposal. Upon receipt of same, further consideration will be given to the application.

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (20 Jun 2006)

Mary Hanafin: In accordance with the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools, all second level schools should offer Physical Education as part of the curriculum. The programme should be based on the Department's approved syllabuses and teaching hours should be registered on the school timetable. The syllabuses in Physical Education have been developed on the basis of a time allocation of two hours per...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (20 Jun 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the advertisement seeking design team consultants for the proposed development project at the school in question was published on the public procurement portal, www.etenders.gov.ie, on Friday 16 June. The closing date for receipt of expressions of interest from consultants is Wednesday 9 August and the selection process will be carried out by the Client,...