Results 761-780 of 4,869 for speaker:Seán Haughey

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (27 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to review the school transport system including catchment boundaries. The Department is currently finalising proposals for progressing this commitment..

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: We have had a very interesting discussion on this motion and amendment, both last night and this evening. The Deputies on the opposite side of the House have taken the opportunity to raise the plight of individual schools in their constituencies, which is what they must do as public representatives. However, I would like to put the debate in the context of the overall situation relating to...

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: For more than a decade, Fianna Fáil-led Governments have dramatically increased the number of teachers in primary schools to meet a series of objectives, including reducing class size, providing improved staffing ratios, meeting the needs of pupils from socio-economic disadvantaged areas, supporting children with special needs and supporting the language needs of new children. Since 2002,...

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: All programme for Government commitments to improve public services, including those relating to class size, are contingent on the economic and budgetary environment and on the need for prudent expenditure and fiscal management. This was pointed out at the time of the general election. Any discussions on serious issues are devalued if inaccurate statements are made in an attempt to be...

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: I know Fine Gael likes to continually interrupt Government speakers. It does not do democracy any good not to let speakers, on all sides, to be heard. The staffing situation relating to an individual situation can be picked out, but whether the allocation is based on an average of 27 pupils per teacher or is reduced further, ultimately schools make individual choices in assigning teachers to...

Seanad: Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000: Statements (28 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: On Thursday last, both Houses of the Oireachtas approved the draft Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000 (Section 5) (Specified Period) Order, 2008. Under the terms of section 5(5) of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000, an order to extend the term of the commission must be approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas. As obliged under the Act, the Department consulted...

Seanad: Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000: Statements (28 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: The Senators asked a number of questions I would like to address. I thank them for their constructive contributions, for agreeing to this motion by the deadline of 22 May and for postponing the discussion until today. I have listened carefully to their points in this debate. The commission's final report is expected to be finished in November 2008 and published by the end of January 2009....

Seanad: Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000: Statements (28 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: Which Department?

Seanad: Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000: Statements (28 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: Senator Keaveney raised this issue on the Adjournment recently as I delivered the reply on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science. That reply is on the record of the House. I will contact the Minister, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, to see what progress has been made. The Senator made a good case for music therapy when I listened to her previously. I will investigate the progress that...

Seanad: Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000: Statements (28 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: That is my understanding of it, although the Teaching Council also has a role to play in this regard. I can check this for the Senator to be absolutely clear.

Seanad: Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000: Statements (28 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: Senator Ormonde asked whether the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism has had any input into the interdepartmental group. I will check this for the Senator. My understanding is that it would be involved, but I will clarify that.

Written Answers — Education Welfare Service: Education Welfare Service (29 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 to 104, inclusive, and 107 to 113, inclusive, together. To achieve the maximum benefits from the resources available to my Department to combat educational disadvantage in schools, a High Level Group was established to secure the improved integration of the services delivered by programmes and agencies on behalf of my Department. The principal objective of...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (29 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available prior to 2007. However, over 1,100 payments were made by my Department for remote area grants in 2007. The grant ranges from €1.30 to €5.10 per day depending on the distance travelled. I have already indicated to the Deputy, that, in general, remote area grants are paid at the end of the school year and my Department is...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (29 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: My Department has requested the Transport Liaison Officer (TLO) for County Kildare to examine the situation regarding school transport for the pupil referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied. The TLO has also been requested to inform the family of the position, as soon as possible.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (29 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: On a point of order, I understood the first matter on the Adjournment was that of Senator Cecilia Keaveney.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (29 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: My Department is obtaining some information on Senator Wilson's matter. It would be helpful if we could take them in that order.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (29 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: I thank the Cathaoirleach and Senators Keaveney and Wilson for their co-operation in the order of the Adjournment matters. I thank Senator Keaveney for raising this matter, as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to the House the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and the current position in respect of the specific difficulties and solutions for...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (29 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: I thank Senator Wilson for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House my Department's position regarding the provision of improved facilities for Laragh national school, Stradone, County Cavan. As the Senator will be aware, almost €600 million in public funding is being provided for school buildings this year, enabling the completion of work on 67 large-scale primary school...

Seanad: Human Rights Issues (29 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: I speak on this matter on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs who cannot be present today. The ongoing tragic situation in Zimbabwe has struck a chord here in Ireland, as was made clear in the all-party consensus on the issue in the Dáil on 15 May. Ireland and the EU continue to urge the Government of Zimbabwe to put in place the necessary conditions for free and fair elections...

Seanad: Human Rights Issues (29 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: I will put that question on the Senator's behalf to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.