Results 10,381-10,400 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The majority of the 412 schools currently participating in the School Completion Programme operate breakfast clubs or other meal provision, in accordance with the Nutritional Guidelines issued by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. In addition to the funding provided through the School Completion Programme, the provision of school meals is primarily funded by the School Meals...

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools), the new 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 continue to be provided...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 77 together. As the Deputies will be aware, the National Development Plan 2007-2013 provides for investment of €252m in the ICT in Schools Programme and I will be publishing a comprehensive new strategy for ICT in Schools covering the period to 2013. The new strategy will aim to develop an e-Learning culture in our schools that will ensure that ICT...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: As part of the multi-annual school building programme my Department has invested heavily in modernising school facilities throughout the country including science facilities in post-primary schools. Typically this investment involves the provision of modern science facilities in new post-primary schools or the upgrading of science facilities in existing schools either as part of a school...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The main manner in which expenditure is formally evaluated in my Department is through the Government programme of Value for Money Reviews, formerly called Expenditure Reviews. The objectives of these reviews, which were introduced in 1997, are to analyse Exchequer funding in a systematic manner and to provide a basis on which more informed policy and expenditure decisions can be made. At...

Written Answers — Capitation Grants: Capitation Grants (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Primary schools' running costs are met by my Department's scheme of capitation grants. These grants are intended to contribute towards the general operating costs of schools which would include heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, painting, teaching aids and other miscellaneous charges. The primary school capitation grant has been increased substantially in recent years. Since 1997 the...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30th September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is issued to all primary schools each year. The Staffing Schedule (Primary Circular 0020/2007) for the 2007/2008 school year is available...

Written Answers — Early School Leavers: Early School Leavers (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: On the annual census form filled in by primary school principals we ask them to provide information on: (A) The number of leavers (excluding those who emigrated) who did not go to any school within the State, and; (B) The number of leavers whose destination is unknown. Data compiled from the census forms shows that in the 12 month period ending 30 September 2005, 263 children left who as far...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Implementation of the recommendation of the fifth report of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs presents challenges which span the entire education system. These challenges relate to the output and quality of further and higher education, raising school completion rates and educational attainment, ensuring that we enhance the educational outcomes for young people, and providing...

Written Answers — Commercial Promotions: Commercial Promotions (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Three official Circulars (i.e. Circulars 23/84, 7/87 and 38/91) have issued from my Department to school authorities concerning the promotion and marketing of commercial products through schools. The Circulars noted concern at the pressure on schools from time to time to become involved in the marketing and promotion of commercial products. Private companies are free to promote their...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: A new primary school will be commencing operation in Newbridge in September 2007 under Catholic Patronage. The VEC has agreed to the use of a portion of its existing school site for a temporary location for the school and planning permission is being sought for this accommodation solution. The Department is pursuing a reserved site for the permanent location for the school.

Written Answers — Central Applications Office: Central Applications Office (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The Central Applications Office (CAO) is a private company limited by guarantee which processes applications centrally on behalf of third level institutions. My Department does not have any function in relation to the operational arrangements of the CAO. However, I have made my concerns known to the CAO in relation to the difficulties it experienced with its computer facilities and the need...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The latest information available to my Department on the number of schools offering specific subjects relates to the 2005/06 school year and 449 second-level schools offered music in senior cycle in 2005/06. The Deputy will be aware that the decision as to which subjects to offer is made at the level of the individual school, subject to compliance with my Department's regulations concerning...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The Road Safety Authority has already commenced work on a number of key areas including the development of a Road Safety programme for use in Transition Year. This work is being undertaken in co-operation with my Department and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. I believe that schools have a role to play both in teaching students about road safety issues and in helping them...

Written Answers — Early Childhood Education: Early Childhood Education (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy may be aware, the vast majority of support for childcare, including pre-school education, is not provided by my Department, but is now provided by the Office of the Minister for Children under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP) 2000 — 2006 and its successor programme, the National Childcare Investment Programme. Under the EOCP programme, close to €500 million...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The application for the proposed new school in Edenderry is being assessed by the New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC) at present. I understand that the Committee's report and recommendations will be submitted to me in the coming weeks. A decision regarding the application will be made upon receipt of the NSAC report.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Teacher education programmes, provided in approved third level institutions, are recognised for the purposes of the Higher Education Grants Scheme. Under the terms of the Scheme, grant holders who are required to participate in off-campus placement, including teaching practice, as part of their course of study continue to receive their entitlements during this period. My Department funds four...

Written Answers — Teacher Training: Teacher Training (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The Number of graduates from the Colleges of Education and the on-line post-graduate courses in 2006 are as follows: Graduates from the Colleges of Education: B.Ed Programme: 1,009 Graduates. Post-Graduate Programme: 274 Graduates. I am told that the number of graduates from the Hibernia on-line Post-Graduate Programme in 2006 is 470.

Written Answers — School Health and Safety: School Health and Safety (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The question of whether children walk to and from school is a matter for decision by their parents. However, it is clear that walking to school can make an important contribution to children's health and to developing their sense of road safety as well as decreasing traffic congestion around school routes. Many local authorities develop schemes to encourage walking to school, through...

Written Answers — Early School Leavers: Early School Leavers (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Under Towards 2016, the Government and the social partners have agreed to work together over the next ten years towards a number of long-term goals for children including the goal that every child should complete a senior cycle or equivalent programme appropriate to their capacity and interests. A key focus of the Government's education policy is to prioritise investment in favour of those...