Results 1,021-1,040 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I have requested my Department's inspectorate to discuss the matter referred to by the Deputy with the school in question. The matter will be progressed further as soon as this process has been completed.

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: An application for new-replacement furniture has not been received from the school referred to by the Deputy. I will make arrangements for an application form to issue to the school as soon as possible. The school building unit will be in further contact with the school authorities once this application has been received.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Where a pupil with special educational needs enrols in a post-primary school, it is open to the school to apply for additional teaching support and-or special needs assistant support for the pupil. My Department allocates additional teaching support and special needs assistant support to second level schools and vocational education committees to cater for pupils with special educational...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: My Department does not provide any funding to the Institute of Design and Disability and therefore did not provide any funding to the institute for the years in question.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 328 and 329 together. It is planned to issue P60s to all special needs assistants employed in primary schools, including the two persons referred to by the Deputy, on 24 February.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: With effect from 1 January 2005, the National Council for Special Education through local special educational needs organisers will process resource applications for children with special educational needs. The National Council for Special Education has been established as an independent statutory body with responsibilities as set out in the National Council for Special Education...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I am most anxious that all children, including children with autistic spectrum disorders, receive education appropriate to their needs. There are three special classes catering for pupils with autism in mainstream primary schools in County Clare as well as three special classes in special schools in the county. My Department has received an application to establish an additional special class...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The application from the school referred to by the Deputy for the provision of funding for a mechanical lift under the 2005 summer works scheme is under consideration. Details of schools with projects approved under the SWS 2005 will be outlined in the near future.

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: In 1996-97, my Department's student support schemes were extended to provide maintenance grants to eligible students pursuing approved full-time undergraduate courses of at least two years' duration in other EU member states, including the UK. The courses must be followed in a university or third level institution, which is maintained or assisted by recurrent grants from public funds. The...

Written Answers — School Class Sizes: School Class Sizes (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The system for allocating teachers to primary schools is based on ensuring an overall maximum class of 29 in each school. Where some classes in a school have class sizes of greater than 29, it is generally because a decision has been taken at local level to use their teaching resources to have smaller numbers in other classes. The Deputy should note that significant improvements have been...

Written Answers — Educational Projects: Educational Projects (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 335 and 336 together. While my Department does not operate a specific national scheme for the provision of after-school projects, it supports a range of programmes which target additional resources at pupils from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds in order to facilitate their full participation in the education system. Eighty-two projects, 112...

Written Answers — Property Transfers: Property Transfers (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: There are different management and ownership structures for voluntary secondary schools, vocational schools, community colleges, community and comprehensive schools and primary schools. In general, voluntary secondary schools are privately owned and managed institutions, whereas all community and comprehensive schools are vested in the Minister for Education and Science. Vocational schools...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Under present arrangements, the appointment requirement for mainstream class teachers in Gaelscoileanna operates to a lower ratio up to the appointment of 13 teachers, relative to other primary schools, including those located in the Gaeltacht. I am aware of the unique position of primary schools situated in Gaeltacht areas and of the particular problems that they experience as a result of...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: An application for additional accommodation has been received from the school to which the Deputy refers. This application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme. In this regard, the Deputy will...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I take it that the Deputy is referring to the review of special needs assistant, SNA, provision in primary schools. The review commenced in September 2004 and is continuing. The review is concerned with the level and deployment of SNA posts in mainstream classes. The intention is to ensure that the level of approved SNA support in schools, and the manner in which that support is being...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The pupil in question is currently in receipt of 2.5 hours resource teaching support. My Department has received an application to increase this support to five hours per week. In addition, the school has made an application for 15 hours per week special needs assistant, SNA, support for the pupil. My Department advised the school on 9 November 2004 that the pupil's special education needs,...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a suitable site for the school in question has been identified. Acquisition of the site is at an advanced conveyancing stage. The school referred to by the Deputy has not requested additional accommodation, however, a new school in this area is expected to commence operation next September and the planning section of my Department is currently liaising...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning and includes the provision of a physical education hall. I recently announced details of 122 major school building projects that will progress to tender and construction phase over the next 12 to 15 months under the €3.4 billion multi-annual funding secured for the years 2005-09. I...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The higher education grants schemes operate under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts 1968 to 1992. Under the higher education grants scheme an approved course is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of at least two years duration or a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one year duration pursued in an approved institution. An approved institution is defined...

Written Answers — Vocational Education Committees: Vocational Education Committees (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I am aware that County Kildare VEC has not been in a position to hold the first meeting of its newly re-constituted committee. I understand that the reason for the delay is due to the finalising of the appointment process by the local authorities of four members from among nominated representatives of community, voluntary and other interests as set out in the Vocational Education (Amendment)...