Results 1,001-1,020 of 4,869 for speaker:Seán Haughey

Written Answers — DEIS Programme: DEIS Programme (20 Nov 2008)

Seán Haughey: Details of all schools included in the DEIS programme are below for the Deputyâ€TMs information. DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools), the action plan for educational inclusion, is being rolled out on a phased basis over the period 2005-10, and focuses on addressing the educational needs of children and young people from disadvantaged communities, from pre-school through...

Written Answers — Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme: Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (25 Nov 2008)

Seán Haughey: The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) provides full-time second-chance education and training opportunities for unemployed adults who are over the age of 21 and in receipt of specified social welfare payments for at least six months. VTOS is funded by my Department and operated through the 33 Vocational Education Committees (VECs). Its primary target group are the longer-term...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (25 Nov 2008)

Seán Haughey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 523 and 578 together. As I announced in the budget, the allocation for school transport in 2009 allows for a compensatory allowance to be paid to private operators on contract to Bus Éireann, under the school transport scheme. Bus Éireann is currently writing to all contractors seeking documentation relating to previous fuel rebate claims submitted to the...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Status: Disadvantaged Status (25 Nov 2008)

Seán Haughey: The school to which the Deputy refers is among the schools that were judged by an independent identification process in 2005 not to have a sufficient level of disadvantage among their pupils to warrant their inclusion in DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunities in Schools), the Action Plan for educational inclusion . The next identification process is scheduled to be held at the end of the...

Health Services. (26 Nov 2008)

Seán Haughey: I will take the Adjournment on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Mary Harney, the Minister for Health and Children. From the outset, I wish to emphasise the Government's commitment to providing a high-quality service to all people with a disability. This commitment is illustrated by the substantial investment we have been making in disability services over the past number of years. In recent...

Health Services. (26 Nov 2008)

Seán Haughey: The HSE has given an assurance that it will continue to work with the Brothers of Charity in Limerick to review their financial position and ascertain how services can be maintained within approved funding and staffing levels and in line with the practices and costs in other similar organisations.

Adult Education. (26 Nov 2008)

Seán Haughey: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. A key priority for the education system is to continue to respond to the needs of learners across the sector and to respond to the wider needs of society and the economy. Much progress has been made in adapting and responding to these needs. This can be seen in the very substantial programme of curriculum change across both primary and...

Schools Building Projects. (26 Nov 2008)

Seán Haughey: I thank the Deputies for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the House the position with regard to the proposed building project for scoil náisiúnta Cronain Naofa, Dromakeenan, County Offaly. Scoil náisiúnta Cronáin Naofa is a fully vertical co-educational facility. This means it caters for boys and girls from junior infants to sixth class inclusive....

Schools Building Projects. (26 Nov 2008)

Seán Haughey: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter and giving me an opportunity to outline the current position in respect of the proposed building project at Coláiste Pobail Naomh Mhuire in Buttevant, County Cork. All applications for capital funding are assessed in the school planning and building unit of the Department of Education and Science. The assessment process determines the extent and...

Community Development. (27 Nov 2008)

Seán Haughey: I will take this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs with responsibility for community affairs, Deputy John Curran. The community development programme was established in 1990 in recognition of the role of community development in tackling the causes and effects of poverty and disadvantage. The...

Centre for Deaf Studies. (27 Nov 2008)

Seán Haughey: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to the House the up-to-date position of the Department of Education and Science on this issue. As the Deputy is aware, the Centre for Deaf Studies represents a constituent part of Trinity College, Dublin, TCD. The Universities Act 1997 confers autonomous statutory responsibilities on universities for...

Education Funding. (27 Nov 2008)

Seán Haughey: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. A key priority for the education system is to continue to respond to the diverse needs of learners at all levels. In particular, this means increasing the flexibility and diversity of provision and ensuring quality across the system. Much progress has been made in this area, as may be seen in the substantial programme of curriculum change across...

School Staffing. (27 Nov 2008)

Seán Haughey: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and giving me an opportunity to outline the impact of the budget measures at post-primary level. Notwithstanding the increase of €302 million in the education budget for 2009, which is a real achievement in the current economic climate, a number of tough and difficult decisions had to be taken. The 2009 budget required difficult choices to be made...

Leaving Certificate Technology Programme. (2 Dec 2008)

Seán Haughey: I thank Deputy Upton for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the House the position with regard to the introduction of the leaving certificate technology programme in post-primary schools. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has developed a new syllabus at leaving certificate level for technology. Previously, this subject was only...

Leaving Certificate Technology Programme. (2 Dec 2008)

Seán Haughey: There is no more tonight, I am afraid.

School Staffing. (2 Dec 2008)

Seán Haughey: I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the House on the school referred to by the Deputy. Notwithstanding the increase of €302 million in the education budget for 2009, which is a real achievement in the current economic climate, a number of tough and difficult decisions had to be taken. The 2009 budget required difficult choices to be made across all areas of public expenditure...

School Staffing. (2 Dec 2008)

Seán Haughey: The review process operated under the direction of an independent person, charged with ensuring that all relevant identification processes and procedures were properly followed in the case of schools applying for a review. Mercy College applied for review but was not successful. The main focus of social inclusion measures will be to retain resources in DEIS schools. There is a need to...

School Staffing. (2 Dec 2008)

Seán Haughey: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue as it provides me with an opportunity to outline the position to the House. The priority this Government and previous Fianna Fáil-led Governments attach to providing for quality education is evident in the budget allocations to my Department since 1997. This year alone, the Government allocated more than €9.3 billion. The continued...

School Staffing. (2 Dec 2008)

Seán Haughey: It will be necessary in the more testing economic climate ahead for us to continue to target and prioritise our resources to maximum effect for everyone. While teacher numbers are important, numerous influential reports have highlighted the fact that teacher quality is the single most important factor — far above anything else — in improving educational outcomes for children. Ensuring...

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

Seán Haughey: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the proposals for progressing the commitment given in the Programme for Government to review the school transport system including catchment boundaries are almost complete. I expect to be making an announcement on the matter shortly.