Results 8,801-8,820 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin
- Written Answers — Third Level Education: Third Level Education (28 Nov 2006)
Mary Hanafin: Under the terms of my Department's Free Fees Initiative the Exchequer meets the tuition fees of eligible students. The main conditions are that students must (a) be first-time undergraduates; (b) hold E.U. nationality or official refugee status; and (c) have been ordinarily resident in an E.U. Member State for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level...
- Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (28 Nov 2006)
Mary Hanafin: The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) is a statutory body set up under the Education Act 1998 to advise the Minister for Education and Science on curriculum and assessment matters. I have requested the NCCA to focus on increasing the attractiveness of Irish to all learners throughout the junior and senior cycle and on strengthening students' communicative skills,...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (28 Nov 2006)
Mary Hanafin: Most new schools in developing areas are provided on sites purchased by my Department. In such cases there is no local contribution required. In relation to refurbishments and extensions to existing school buildings the full cost is typically paid for by my Department except for a local contribution of up to â¬31,500 or up to â¬12,500 for disadvantaged or special schools. My Department's...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (28 Nov 2006)
Mary Hanafin: This Government is determined to ensure that every child is educated in a suitable and comfortable environment. Since 1997, great advances have been made in transforming school accommodation throughout the country, through an investment of â¬3 billion. This has funded over 7,800 individual school projects in the last seven years alone. This year we are spending â¬500 million on school...
- Written Answers — Schools of Podiatry: Schools of Podiatry (28 Nov 2006)
Mary Hanafin: Meetings are continuing at an official level between my Department, the Department of Health and Children, the Higher Education Authority and the Health Service Executive in relation to a proposed School of Podiatry. Pending the finalisation of these discussions it is not possible to advise when a call for proposals to establish the School will issue. No decisions have been taken on the...
- Written Answers — School Management: School Management (28 Nov 2006)
Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 116 together. The computer system for the payment of teachers employed in Secondary and Community/Comprehensive schools record teacher absences in accordance with the existing leave rules as agreed between the managerial authorities, teacher unions and my Department. The issue of leave arrangements for absence periods of less than a day has been raised...
- Written Answers — Capitation Grants: Capitation Grants (28 Nov 2006)
Mary Hanafin: The student charge is levied by third level institutions to defray the costs of examinations, registration and students services. All students who are eligible for means tested student support grant have the student charge paid on their behalf by the Local Authorities or the Vocational Education Committees, in addition to any maintenance grant and tuition fee grant they are entitled to. The...
- Written Answers — Capitation Grants: Capitation Grants (28 Nov 2006)
Mary Hanafin: Each sector in the education system has specific funding requirements which derive from the length, complexity and nature of the education/training courses being provided. My aim is to ensure that all sectors have adequate resources, including financial resources, to enable schools and colleges to effectively deliver quality education and training programmes. The Deputy will be pleased to...
- Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (28 Nov 2006)
Mary Hanafin: As indicated in the recently published Abridged Estimates Volume for 2007, it is intended to allocate a sum of â¬544m towards the Schools' Building and Modernisation Programme. This sum includes â¬10m under the Schools' ICT Programme. At this stage it is not possible to give specific details of how this funding will be disbursed.
- Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (28 Nov 2006)
Mary Hanafin: In accordance with the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools, the approved course for Junior Certificate students in second level schools must include Irish, English, Mathematics, Social Personal and Health Education, Civic Social and Political Education and at least 3 other examination subjects. While Science is an optional subject for the Junior Certificate some 86% of students...
- Written Answers — Educational Planning: Educational Planning (28 Nov 2006)
Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 130 together. In relation to forward planning in areas of rapid growth, the process of assessing the need for new or additional educational facilities at primary or post-primary level in any given area entails consideration of all relevant factors, including enrolment and demographic trends, housing developments and the capacity of existing schools to...
- Written Answers — School Discipline: School Discipline (28 Nov 2006)
Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 122 together. Earlier this year I announced an implementation strategy following publication of "School Matters" the Report of the Task Force on Student Behaviour in Second Level Schools, and that strategy is now well advanced. At the core of the recommendations of the Task Force was the putting in place of a National Behaviour Support Service (NBSS)....
- Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (28 Nov 2006)
Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 91, 109, 115 and 140 together. Information in relation to class sizes is provided in the annual census of primary schools. The reference date for the provision by schools of this information is the 30th September of the school year in question and the date for return by the schools is 31 October. Consequently, the details for the current school year...
- Written Answers — Education Schemes: Education Schemes (28 Nov 2006)
Mary Hanafin: My Department continues to urge the management authorities of both primary and second level schools to put in place book rental schemes to the greatest extent possible. At primary level, schools that opt for book rental schemes are allocated enhanced grants to encourage them to participate in such schemes. In respect of the 2006/2007 school year, primary schools not operating book rental...
- Written Answers — Educational Planning: Educational Planning (28 Nov 2006)
Mary Hanafin: In relation to forward planning in areas of rapid growth, the process of assessing the need for new or additional educational facilities at primary or post-primary level in any given area entails consideration of all relevant factors, including enrolment and demographic trends, housing developments and the capacity of existing schools to meet the demand for places. Liaison with existing...
- Written Answers — Third Level Education: Third Level Education (28 Nov 2006)
Mary Hanafin: I welcome the Pobal report which was published last month. This report makes a number recommendations for overall government policy, the work of individual government departments, including the Department of Education and Science, state agencies and higher and further education institutions. The achievement of a more inclusive and intercultural approach across a range of state services,...
- Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (28 Nov 2006)
Mary Hanafin: The Office of Public Works (OPW) who acts on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally, has been asked to source a suitable site for this school. The OPW have advised my Department that the requirement for a site has been advertised and that a technical assessment of the sites on offer has been completed. The matter is now with their Valuation Unit. In due course a...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (28 Nov 2006)
Mary Hanafin: In addition to the projects from the 2004 and 2005 School building and Modernisation programmes in the construction stage I announced over 1,200 projects to progress under the 2006 programme. These included projects to progress through various stages of architectural design, tender and construction and projects approved under the devolved schemes. A further 400 projects were approved for...
- Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (28 Nov 2006)
Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 144 and 151 together. Physical Education is one of seven curriculum areas within the revised Primary School Curriculum (1999). A minimum of one hour of physical education per week is recommended for all primary school pupils. In accordance with the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools, all second level schools should provide Physical Education as...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (28 Nov 2006)
Mary Hanafin: This Government is determined to ensure that every child is educated in a suitable and comfortable environment. Since 1997, great advances have been made in transforming school accommodation throughout the country, through an investment of â¬3 billion. This has funded over 7,800 individual school projects in the last seven years alone. This year we are spending â¬500 million on school...