Results 10,081-10,100 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The school to which the Deputy refers commenced operation in September 2002 with provisional recognition from the Department on the basis that it would be providing multi-denominational education in the Clontarf/Marino/Fairview area of Dublin. It is a condition of recognition that the Patron must provide suitable accommodation in the stated area which must be capable of meeting the growing...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 271 and 287 together. Teaching practice is an integral part of the curriculum for the training of both primary and post-primary teachers and, as such, my Department does not provide special financial assistance for students towards costs associated with teaching practice. The Deputy will be aware that teacher education programmes provided in approved third...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy is aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has been operational since 1st January 2005, and is responsible for processing applications for special educational needs supports through its network of Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs). The SENO is also a focal point of contact for parents and schools. My officials have been in contact with the NCSE...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: This old national school building in question is not in the ownership of my Department and therefore the upkeep of the building is not the responsibility of my Department.

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: My Department has identified the need for a new primary school in the Rochestown area of Cork. A site for this purpose has been reserved by the local authority and the Department has confirmed with the local authority the continued need for the site in question and is currently pursuing its acquisition.

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The last Census of National Schools took place on 29 September 2006. As at 2nd March, 3,267 national schools had returned a complete set of enrolment forms and 1,249 of these had been processed and fully entered on the Database for Primary School enrolment. The process of inputting the data is continuing with a view to finalising it as soon as is possible.

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Between 2000 and 2006 my Department has delivered over 7,800 projects in schools throughout the country with an investment of €2.6 billion. The investment on school buildings under the new NDP for 2007 to 2013 is over €4.5 billion and will focus on delivering over 100,000 school places in rapidly developing areas. Projects in individual counties are listed on my Department's website as...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Following a recent meeting with the Department of Finance in relation to the pensionability of this category of school staff, including the person to whom the Deputy refers, my officials intend to issue a circular letter and initiate the processing of these pension issues in the next month.

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools and the Department does not seek to intervene in decisions made by schools in such matters. The Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: My Department has approved the Stage 4/5 (Detailed Design/Bill of Quantities) of the proposed new school building project. The Vocational Education Committee in conjunction with their Design Team is now in a position to proceed through the tendering process and on to construction.

Written Answers — Schools Amalgamation: Schools Amalgamation (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: My Department recognises the need for a new Community School in Ballinamore to facilitate further the amalgamation of three post primary schools in the area. A suitable site for the new school building is however required before architectural planning for the project can commence. The Office of Public Works (OPW) are acting on behalf of my Department in this regard. A suitable site...

Written Answers — College Closures: College Closures (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: My Department decided that recognition for the purposes of providing summer courses in respect of which grants are paid by the Department would be withdrawn from the college referred to by the Deputy because a failure by the college authorities to comply with conditions laid down by the Department, and accepted in writing by the college authorities, for the recognition of the college in 2006....

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The scope of works referred to by the Deputy is suitable for consideration under the Department's Summer Works Scheme. It is open to school management authorities to make an application under this scheme which is published each year by the Department. Alternatively, schools can use their minor works grant which is issued by the Department annually and which has recently been increased to...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Responsibility for the provision of speech and language therapy supports rests with the Health Service Executive which has been allocated funding for this purpose. My Department or the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has not had sight of the psychologist's recommendations referred to by the Deputy. The NCSE is now operational. A specific function of the NCSE, through its...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: An application received from the group referred to by the Deputy to participate in the pilot scheme, which has facilitated the establishment of a number of ABA-specific units nationwide, is under consideration by officials in my Department. The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children, including those with autism receive an education appropriate to their needs,...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (7 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 position...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: My Department is currently considering an application from the school in question for additional teaching provision to support a number of Traveller children in the school referred to by the Deputy. The application will be examined as quickly as possible and will be considered in the context of the recently published Report and Recommendations for a Traveller Education Strategy. The school...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (7 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The original decision not to grant an exemption from the study of Irish in the case referred to by the Deputy was reviewed by my Department in the light of the new medical evidence submitted. However, it was decided that a reversal of the decision is not warranted. The school authorities have been advised accordingly.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (8 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Teaching practice is an integral part of the curriculum for the training of both primary and post-primary teachers and, as such, my Department does not provide special financial assistance for students towards costs associated with teaching practice. The Deputy will be aware that teacher education programmes provided in approved third level institutions are also approved courses for the...

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (8 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 263 and 264 together. Under the terms of my Department's Free Fees Initiative the exchequer meets the tuition fees of full-time eligible students. The main conditions are that students must (a) be first-time undergraduates; (b) hold E.U. nationality: and (c) have been ordinarily resident in an E.U. Member State for at least three of the five years preceding...