Results 1,061-1,080 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (23 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Under the higher education grants scheme 2004, my Department has approved six courses for the purposes of the third level grant scheme at St. Patrick's, Carlow College, as follows: diploma in humanities; diploma in theology; BA degree in theology; national certificate in applied social studies in social care; national diploma in applied social studies (Social Care); and bachelor of arts in...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (23 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The review of special needs assistant, SNA, provision in primary schools 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 allocated are such as to ensure that the special care needs of...

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

Mary Hanafin: The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on the project is being considered in the context of the school building programme from 2005 onwards. In this regard, the Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase...

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (23 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: A review of educational disadvantage programmes is being finalised by my Department. Decisions to expand or extend any of the initiatives aimed at addressing educational disadvantage are being considered in this context of this review, the purpose of which is to build on what has been achieved to date, to adopt a more systematic, targeted and integrated approach, and to strengthen the...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (23 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The matter has been considered by my Department's inspectorate and the advice is that adequate provision exists within the State to cater for the special educational needs of the person in question. It is not, therefore, proposed to make funding available to the person in question towards an educational placement abroad.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (24 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Under the terms of the post primary school transport scheme, a pupil is eligible for transport if she or he resides 4.8 kilometres, or more from her or his local post-primary education centre, that is, the centre for the catchment area in which she or he lives. In addition, a pupil may be allowed the concession of transport, known as catchment boundary transport, to a centre other than her or...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (24 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The decision on eligibility for third level grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except, in exceptional cases, where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is desired. It appears that no such advice or instruction has, to date, been sought in the case of...

Written Answers — Capitation Grants: Capitation Grants (24 Feb 2005)

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 capitation grant for primary schools has been increased substantially in recent years. Since 1997...

Written Answers — Schools of Music: Schools of Music (24 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The Government decided last July that my Department should finalise contractual negotiations with Jarvis Projects Limited with the view to commencing construction of the Cork School of Music as soon as practical. Shortly thereafter Jarvis Plc, preferred bidder for the project, announced a profit warning on the London Stock Exchange. To help solve its financial difficulties the company...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I have today announced the next phase of the programme under which 192 schools will be allocated funding to undertake projects, such as extensions and refurbishments. These projects will proceed immediately, on a devolved basis, which means that the school authorities will control the planning and construction phases of the improvement works at their own school. Each school will be contacted...

Written Answers — School Funding: School Funding (24 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. However, if the Deputy has a query about any specific school, I would be happy to provide the information for him.

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (24 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I can confirm that an application for four hours resource teaching support was received for the pupil in question. Having considered the application, my Department advised the school that the pupil's special educational needs appear to be within the high incidence category. It would be expected that the pupil's special educational needs can be met from within the current resource-learning...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: An extension project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, and the project is being considered in the context of the school buildings and modernisation programme. The Deputy will be aware that in January I announced the first phase of the 2005 schools building programme which provided details of 122 major school...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (24 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The issues raised in the correspondence from Ms Ward are complex and require careful consideration. However, my Department undertakes to respond to the queries within two weeks.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (24 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I trust that the Deputy is aware of the proposed new system for resource teacher allocation which involves a general allocation for all primary schools to cater for pupils with higher incidence special educational needs, borderline mild and mild general learning disability and specific learning disability. This system also applies to those with learning support needs, that is, functioning at...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (24 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The school referred to by the Deputy currently has the services of one shared learning support teacher and a shared resource teacher. I trust that the Deputy is aware of the proposed new system for resource teacher allocation which involves a general allocation for all primary schools to cater for pupils with higher incidence special educational needs, borderline mild and mild general...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: An extension project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, and the project is being considered in the context of the school buildings and modernisation programme. The Deputy will be aware that in January I announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (24 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 currently under consideration. Details of schools with projects approved under the SWS 2005 will be outlined in the near future.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (24 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: At present the only unused site currently in the ownership of my Department in the Tallaght area is that of the site at Kingswood Heights. My Department is currently considering the best use that can be made of this site in the context of overall educational requirements in the Tallaght area.

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (24 Feb 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The school to which the Deputy refers has submitted an application for grant aid under the summer works scheme, SWS, 2005 for a covered walkway. All SWS applications are currently being assessed in the school planning section of my Department. I intend to publish the list of successful applicants shortly.