Results 881-900 of 4,869 for speaker:Seán Haughey

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (1 Oct 2008)

Seán Haughey: As the Deputy is aware DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools), the action plan for educational inclusion, provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and a new integrated School Support Programme (SSP). The DEIS plan states that as well as provision being made for schools with a concentrated level of disadvantage, financial support will also...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (1 Oct 2008)

Seán Haughey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 to 235, inclusive, together. I would like to advise the Deputy that negotiations with school bus operators regarding school bus contracts are a matter between Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport service on behalf of my Department, and the operators. In 2007, contractors received 63% of the overall budget paid to Bus Éireann and since 2000...

Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (2 Oct 2008)

Seán Haughey: The Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) provides an opportunity for adults to combine a return to learning with family, work and other responsibilities. Programmes are offered on a part-time basis: in the mornings, afternoons, evenings or at weekends. Courses from FETAC Levels 1 to 6, including the Leaving Certificate, are offered. Since its inception in 2002, funding for the BTEI has...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (2 Oct 2008)

Seán Haughey: Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport service on behalf of my Department, has been asked to provide a detailed report on the case referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied. When the report is received and considered, my Department will advise the families of the position.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (2 Oct 2008)

Seán Haughey: I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the House the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and the current position regarding the provision of a new second level school in Kinvara, County Galway. Modernising facilities in our existing building stock as well as responding to emerging needs in areas of rapid...

Seanad: Schools Refurbishment (2 Oct 2008)

Seán Haughey: I thank Senator Fitzgerald for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the Department's capital programme of works for 2008 and to outline the current position with regard to St. Brigid's national school, Palmerstown, Dublin 20. St. Brigid's national school is a primary school catering for girls. The enrolment, as at 30 September 2007, is 399...

Seanad: Schools Refurbishment (2 Oct 2008)

Seán Haughey: The system is transparent and there is democratic accountability in the House. There are set procedures in place for the selection of projects, I mentioned the banding system. I will seek a more comprehensive response on the transparency of the system for the Senator from the Department.

Seanad: Educational Projects (2 Oct 2008)

Seán Haughey: The changing shape of our society is placing new and complex demands on our education system as it responds to the diverse needs of our communities. The Government is acutely aware of this challenge. Our model of school patronage has served us successfully for many generations. We are indebted to the churches and, in more recent times, the newer patronage bodies for their leadership in...

Seanad: Educational Projects (2 Oct 2008)

Seán Haughey: As I said at the outset, everybody, including the Department of Education and Science, recognises the dramatic changes taking place in Irish society. The Department is particularly conscious of the number of primary school students who will present themselves over the next five to ten years. As I said, the Minister has announced a full review of the criteria and procedures for the...

Unemployment: Motion (7 Oct 2008)

Seán Haughey: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate and will focus my remarks on the vital issue of lifelong learning. As Minister of State with responsibility for lifelong learning, I fully recognise the importance of education and training in terms of the positive impact it has on individuals and on the economic prospects of an entire country. In Ireland today, our ability to compete...

Written Answers — Youthreach Programme: Youthreach Programme (7 Oct 2008)

Seán Haughey: In 2007, my Department introduced the Special Education Needs Initiative (SENI) to address special educational needs and provide the necessary supports for learners in Youthreach centres. The SENI involves a general allocation model similar to that introduced in the primary sector in September 2005. Its purpose is: To allow for a measured systematic development of professional practice in...

Written Answers — Early School Leavers: Early School Leavers (7 Oct 2008)

Seán Haughey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 467, 527 and 528 together. The School Completion Programme encompasses both primary and post-primary levels and focuses on young people between the ages of 4 and 18 years and is designed to deal with issues of both concentrated and regionally dispersed disadvantage. SCP is a key component of DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunities in Schools) the action...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (7 Oct 2008)

Seán Haughey: My Department is currently finalising proposals for progressing the commitment given in the Programme for Government to review the school transport system including catchment boundaries.

Written Answers — School Meals Programme: School Meals Programme (7 Oct 2008)

Seán Haughey: The provision of school meals is primarily funded by the School Meals Programme, administered by my colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, and involving both an urban scheme operated by local authorities and a local projects scheme. The School Meals Programme aims to supplement the nutritional intake of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds in order to allow them to fulfil...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (7 Oct 2008)

Seán Haughey: The Transport Liaison Officer for Co. Longford has informed my Department that the application for school transport for the pupil referred to by the Deputy, was received after the commencement of the school year and all seats on the service had been allocated. The situation will be reviewed at the end of the first school term.

Written Answers — Early School Leavers: Early School Leavers (7 Oct 2008)

Seán Haughey: For young parents of school-going age, the most pressing issues are considered to be a sensitive response to their needs, appropriate counselling/mentoring and medical assistance, minimal disruption of tuition, and appropriate access to childcare. Individual circumstances will differ and accordingly, school management practice will vary from case to case. Generally, when it comes to the...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (7 Oct 2008)

Seán Haughey: Bus Éireann operates the school transport service on behalf of my Department. Routes are planned in such a way to ensure that, as far as possible, eligible pupils have a reasonable standard of service with regard to pick-up points and travel and waiting times, while at the same time, ensuring that school transport vehicles are fully utilised in the most efficient and cost effective manner....

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (8 Oct 2008)

Seán Haughey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 342 together. The cost to-date of the safety belt programme for buses under the school transport scheme is approximately €6.4 million — €5 million for the Bus Éireann school bus fleet and €1.4 million for private contractors' buses. The amount includes costs associated with the development of pull test specifications, retrofitting of safety...

Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (8 Oct 2008)

Seán Haughey: My Department has put substantial resources and supports in place to ensure that there are a wide range of course options available in the Further Education sector for people who wish to continue their studies after second-level or return to education later in life. The priority target group of Further Education programmes generally is those who are educationally disadvantaged and who lack...

Seanad: Departmental Reports (8 Oct 2008)

Seán Haughey: I am responding on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley. There is general consensus among relevant Departments and State agencies that the Cork docklands project advanced by Cork City Council is potentially of major significance to the city and in a wider national framework. The council is to be congratulated for...