Results 8,181-8,200 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (19 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department and would take an inordinate amount of administrative time to compile.

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (19 Oct 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 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 that where...

Higher Education Grants. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I assure the Deputy that the Government is determined to ensure that SSIA savers are treated fairly in the calculation of reckonable income under my Department's maintenance grant schemes. This is being achieved in two ways. First, income from SSIAs is being treated exactly the same as income from similar savings and investment products. Second, the reckonable income limits for student...

Higher Education Grants. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I reiterate that the savings people put away themselves are not taken into account, only the Government grant and the interest earned on it. Given the Government contribution for a year for a saver who put away €254 per month, the maximum, came to €785, and that the income limit was increased by substantially more, there are very few, if any, students who should be eliminated from the...

Higher Education Grants. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: If a student got a grant last year and did not get it this year, it is not solely on the basis of his SSIA; it cannot be because the income limits are far greater than the increase he would get on the basis of the SSIA. Also, a student would not lose a grant, but could fall to 75% or 50% of that grant instead.

Sexual Health and Relationships. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I too was interested in the findings in the report, Irish Study of Sexual Health and Relationships, launched by my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children. The survey, unsurprisingly, highlighted major changes in sexual behaviour and attitudes in Ireland in recent decades. It also drew attention to challenges that must be faced from both a public health and an education point of...

Sexual Health and Relationships. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The Deputy referred to first sexual intercourse at an age lower than 17. This is also, worryingly, associated with high levels of regret, STIs and crisis pregnancy. The teaching of RSE is, therefore, a hugely important element in the education of young people. It is a requirement of all schools, regardless of their ethos, that they should teach RSE. We are conscious that schools need...

Sexual Health and Relationships. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The curriculum is strong given that it lists areas I have outlined. It is also taught in the context of responsibility in relationships, which is just as important as the biological facts. When we see the impact media and peer pressure have on young people, responsibility and respect must be brought to the fore. This course, like other courses, will be kept under review to ensure it meets...

Schools Amalgamation. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Decisions on amalgamations are, in the first instance, a matter for the respective patron and trustees of the schools concerned. An agreement was reached by the respective patrons in late 2000 to rationalise provision of post-primary provision in the Tuam area to establish a single boys' and single girls' school. The amalgamation in each case is dependent on the availability of suitable...

Schools Amalgamation. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: A school cannot be built until a site has been selected and the problem is there are no sites.

Schools Amalgamation. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I am delighted to learn there is a site and that all the difficulties identified by the Office of Public Works and the local council have been addressed, but that is not the information available to the Department.

Schools Amalgamation. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The Office of Public Works, which has worked on this matter for several years, identified various sites but technical problems arose with all of them to the extent that it had to place further advertisements seeking suitable sites for the girls' school.

Schools Amalgamation. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The closing date for receipt of site proposals was 8 August 2006 and technical assessments of these sites are being carried out, all other sites having been proven to be unsuitable. It is not possible to progress with construction of the school unless a site is approved. The patron has identified a site for the boys' school but servicing provisions must be agreed with the council before...

Schools Amalgamation. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: A larger health and safety issue would arise if an unsuitable site was used for a school building. The patron and council are in discussions regarding the boys' school. The Department wrote to the patron on 25 September, almost a month ago, seeking an update but has not received a reply. Perhaps the Deputy will contact the patron to ascertain the latest position. The Department will be...

Schools Amalgamation. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: At the moment, we do not have a site for either school.

School Curriculum. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has prioritised improvements in science education at all levels, from primary school science to advanced fourth level research. Progress has been made in a wide range of areas in recent years. A new science curriculum has been introduced at primary level supported by a resource grant in December 2004 of €1,000 per school plus €10 per pupil. A...

School Curriculum. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I am not prepared to give a commitment on laboratory technicians. It is important to continue to invest in the curriculum, syllabus and science laboratories and in supporting and training teachers. Next spring, I expect to receive from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment proposals on assessment at senior level and other matters. Changes to the primary school curriculum have...

School Curriculum. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: As part of the summer works scheme last year and this year, the Department invested significant amounts in developing and expanding science laboratories. With the exception of schools that formed part of larger building projects, all schools that applied for funding to upgrade their laboratories received grants. I look forward to finding out which schools applied for funding for this year....

School Curriculum. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: There is no reason that schools cannot offer science subjects. The fact that 86% of students are studying science at junior certificate level should encourage many more to study it to leaving certificate level. There is a teacher in every second level school for every 13 students and it is up to the local schools to decide, based on the demands of their students and the ability of their...

Literacy Levels. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: This Government is committed to doing everything it can to improve literacy levels in disadvantaged areas. We are conscious of the fact that good levels of literacy and numeracy are fundamental prerequisites for full educational and social participation, and we are redoubling our efforts to promote these. A key underlying principle of DEIS, the action plan for educational inclusion, is that...