Results 10,041-10,060 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (6 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: An application for an extension has been received from the school to which the Deputy refers. An assessment of the long-term projected staffing, on which the schools accommodation needs are based is currently under way in the Department. This assessment will take into account factors such as current and projected enrolment, demographic trends and housing developments. Once this assessment...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (6 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The construction contract for the new building in Athlone is a matter for the OPW but I understand that they expect that construction will begin shortly. My Department has been making arrangements to assign officers who are willing to relocate to Athlone to the posts to decentralise over a year at this stage. Officers willing to relocate to Athlone have been identified for assignment to 94%...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (6 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The Maintenance Grant Scheme for Students attending Post Leaving Certificate courses is administered by the Vocational Education Committees on behalf of my Department. The application for grant assistance for the candidate referred to by the Deputy must be assessed under the terms of my Department's Maintenance Grant Scheme for Students Attending Post Leaving Certificate Courses 2006. Clause...

Written Answers — Teachers' Remuneration: Teachers' Remuneration (6 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 497 and 498 together. All qualified primary teachers are paid on the common basic scale for teachers. New teachers who complete a three year full-time recognised primary teacher-training course are awarded one increment and are placed on the second point of the common basic scale for teachers. Teachers who complete a recognised primary degree and a recognised...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (6 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: On 5 March 2007, I announced details of the schools to receive funding under the Small Schools Scheme 2007. The application from the school to which the Deputy refers was successful and officials from School Building Section will contact the school authority in the coming days to progress the project.

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (6 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The Department is in receipt of proposals from the Board of Management of the school to which the Deputy refers in relation to the future development of the school. In considering these proposals, further information and clarifications have been sought from the school authority. A response is awaited in this regard. Any decision regarding the future development of the school is a matter...

Written Answers — School Libraries: School Libraries (6 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 501 and 502 together. At primary level it is a matter for each Local Authority to provide a library service for schools in its area. While my Department has no involvement in the actual operation of this service, it does make a grant available to each Local Authority on an annual basis to enable Local Authority Librarians select, purchase, and deliver books to...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (6 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous year. The number of mainstream posts is determined by reference to a staffing schedule. The schedule is set out in a circular which issues from my Department to all primary school Boards of Management. Accordingly, all Boards are aware of the staffing...

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (6 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: 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. DEIS will bring together, and build upon, a number of existing interventions in schools with a concentrated level of disadvantage. As a result of the identification and review...

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Order for Report Stage. (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Section 29 already provides for the membership of an appeals committee to include an inspector and such other persons as the Minister deems to be appropriate. I do not believe that it is right to be too prescriptive because one then has people in a representative capacity rather than having the best person for the job. It would be important to ensure the qualities the person would bring to...

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: On Committee Stage I stated I would consider the grouping of the words "nature, scale and persistence". I inquired into the matter and the advice is that whereas one must consider the nature, scale and persistence if any one of these elements is not present, the expulsion or the appeal either way can be considered on the basis of the other two elements or any one of the other two elements....

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: It is a legal phrase meaning the board "must take into account".

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: These are each of the elements it must consider when hearing an appeal.

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The word "or" could give rise to the very situation Deputy O'Sullivan stated she would not want, namely, that the board might only consider one element. The word "and" could mean all three or, equally, that the board would have to consider each of the three. I was assured that by having the three words, the board could consider the three but, equally, if one of them did not apply, it would...

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I wish to focus first on the amendments. I note that Fine Gael did not table any Report Stage amendments.

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The various amendments to the Education Act 1998 that are contained in the Bill were presented to the partners and discussed with them. All of the latter indicated some pleasure in respect of these amendments. The Bill arises out of the report of the task force on student behaviour in second level schools, which was published less than 12 months ago. Since then, the behaviour support task...

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Under section 27 of the Education (Welfare) Act, the National Educational Welfare Board has an obligation to make other arrangements, as it deems appropriate, if it cannot enrol a child in another school. Undoubtedly, there are some schools that are too willing to get rid of students and that expect other schools to take them. I hope that schools will engage in a form of reciprocal...

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I accept that. However, that is the value of the other education provision which is available and which we are mapping at present. Some of this provision comes directly within the remit of the Department of Education and Science. However, there are institutions that do not come within the Department's remit which are doing very good work and which are providing a service to young people....

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Staffing for the National Educational Welfare Board will increase by 15, as I already announced.