Results 1,041-1,060 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

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

Mary Hanafin: To expedite the appointment of a principal to oversee the commencement of the new Ballymun comprehensive school, it is essential that a board of management is appointed immediately. This board must be constituted in accordance with the existing model which does not, at this point in time, allow for parent or teacher representation. This board, however, will be replaced by a board that will...

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

Mary Hanafin: I am pleased to be able to inform the Deputy that tenders in excess of €9 million have been accepted for a major refurbishment and extension programme at Ballymun comprehensive schools to enable the planned amalgamation take place. The contractor went on site on 24 January last and I am confident that the amalgamation will proceed, as intended, on 1 September 2005.

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

Mary Hanafin: On the basis of the information supplied by Bus Éireann in its report of 10 November 2003, only two families are eligible for transport to the school referred to in the details supplied. These families have a pick-up point 0.3 and 0.8 miles from their homes. This is considered to be a reasonable level of service in the context of the general operation of the scheme. The seven children of the...

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

Mary Hanafin: Having confirmed the identities of the pupils in question with the Deputy's office, I wish to confirm that my Department considered applications for resource teaching support for both pupils. The school was advised on 4 February 2005 that the pupils do not qualify for resource teaching support as the applications did not meet the criteria for such support. The school currently has the...

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

Mary Hanafin: Personal assistants are utilised within third level colleges for certain classes of students with disabilities, mainly those with physical or mobility difficulties. The main source of funding for personal assistants is the fund for students with disabilities. Colleges of further and higher education can apply on behalf of students who require a personal assistant in order to participate...

Seanad: Higher Education Review: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Gabhaim buíochas le Ceannaire an Tí as ucht an chuiridh theacht anseo chun labhairt ar an tuarascáil fíor-thábhactach seo faoi thodhchaí oideachais ag an triú leibhéal dóibh siúd a bheidh ag freastal ag na hollscoileanna agus ag na hinstitiúdaí. It is an important time to discuss the OECD examiner's report. I know several Members will have a particular interest in the...

Seanad: Higher Education Review: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I anticipated there would be a good debate on the OECD report. I thank the Senators for their contributions. It is useful to hear from people with first-hand experience in the third level sector as students, lecturers or so forth. It affects us all. It is evident that people have spoken from regional perspectives as well as with regard to issues of access. Much of the debate resolves around...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (23 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Under existing regulations which are a matter for the Department of Transport the licensed carrying capacity of vehicles engaged in school transport is based on a ratio of three children to every two adult seats. The pupils to whom the Deputy refers are accommodated on a 53 seater adult bus, which is licensed to carry 79 children. Bus Éireann has advised that 73 tickets have been issued for...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (23 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: A minimum of seven eligible pupils residing in a distinct locality are required for the establishment of a school bus service. My Department has been advised by Bus Éireann that the pupils referred to in the question are residing in a separate distinct locality from the area already covered by the existing service. As the minimum number of eligible pupils required for the establishment of a...

Written Answers — Stádas Scoile: Stádas Scoile (23 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Is ceist d'údaráis scoile í, ar an gcéad dul síos, cinneadh a thógaint maidir leis an meán múinteoireachta sa scoil. Má tá sé beartaithe an meán múinteoireachta sa scoil a athrúó Bhéarla go Gaeilge, ba chóir do'n patrún iarratas foirmeálta a chur faoi bhráid mo Roinne áit a ndéanfar an t-iarratas a bhreithniú i gcomhthéacs polasaí na Roinne agus an soláthar...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (23 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The school to which the Deputy refers has made an application under the summer works scheme, SWS, to upgrade existing accommodation on its site to enable it to provide extra classroom accommodation for next September. All applications under the SWS are currently being assessed in the school planning section of my Department and I will be announcing the successful applicants shortly.

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (23 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: An application for temporary accommodation has been received from the school authority to which the Deputy refers. All applications for temporary accommodation for the 2005-06 school year are currently being assessed in the school planning section of my Department. I intend to publish a list of the successful applicants shortly.

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (23 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: My Department spent €8,745,049.73 on the provision of prefabricated accommodation in primary schools in 2004. Any expenditure incurred in 2004 on the upkeep of existing prefabricated accommodation would have been financed under the minor works grant issued to all recognised primary schools annually. The minor works grant is issued on the basis of a school allocation amounting to €3,809.21...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (23 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: This school's building project went to tender in late 2004. Unfortunately, the tender outcome was significantly in excess of the budget for this project. Officials from my Department's building unit met with the school authority and its design team on 21 February 2005 and advised them that the project can proceed as early as possible in 2005 provided reductions are achieved that bring my...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (23 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: My Department proposes to build a new 16 classroom primary school in Castledermot. The property management section of the OPW, which acts on behalf of my Department regarding site acquisitions generally, is exploring the possibility of acquiring a site for this development. Progress on the project will be considered in the context of the school building programme when the site has been...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (23 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 237 together. The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. I recently announced details of 122 major school building projects which will progress to tender and construction phase over the next 12 to 15 months under the €3.4 billion multiannual funding secured for the years 2005-09. I am...

Written Answers — School Closures: School Closures (23 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Teacher allocations to second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. Each school management authority is required to organise its timetable and subject options having regard to pupils needs within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. The rules for allocating teaching resources provide that where a...

Written Answers — School Closures: School Closures (23 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: It is unclear what type of payments the Deputy has in mind. However, I confirm the question has not arisen in my Department.

Written Answers — School Closures: School Closures (23 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: A decision was taken by the trustees of the school concerned that the school will close in June 2007. Officials of my Department have met with representatives of the teacher unions involved concerning the closure of the school. Arising from this meeting, the position of the teachers in the school is under consideration within my Department. Further meetings will be held in the near future...

Written Answers — Bullying in Schools: Bullying in Schools (23 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Every school should have in place, as part of its code of behaviour, a policy which includes specific measures to deal with bullying behaviour. Such a code, properly devised and implemented, can be the most influential measure in countering bullying behaviour in schools. My Department, in its document entitled, Guidelines on Countering Bullying Behaviour in Schools, has provided the framework...