Results 11,581-11,600 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (2 Oct 2007)

Mary Hanafin: On 5 March 2007, I announced details of the schools to receive funding under the Small Schools Scheme 2007. The application from the school to which the Deputy refers was successful and officials from School Building Section have been in contact the school authority advising them of the next steps in the process.

Written Answers — Schools Amalgamation: Schools Amalgamation (2 Oct 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that agreement has been reached to re-organise the two schools to which the Deputy refers to form junior and senior schools. In order to ensure that future demand for education through the medium of Irish in Clondalkin can be catered for, it is the Department's intention to plan for the delivery of two sixteen classroom schools. It has been agreed with...

Written Answers — Departmental Statistics: Departmental Statistics (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of national and post-primary schools per county is as follows. Table 2.17 — National Schools By County 2006/07 Special Classes in Ordinary Schools Ordinary Schools Special Schools No. Schools Carlow 6 40 1 Cavan 6 78 1 Clare 17 117 2 Cork City 19 53 8 Cork County 39 298 5 Donegal 13 176 2 Dublin City 81 192 32...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The Department has visited this school and following on from this visit, the Patron has confirmed the availability of additional lands for a school building project. This project is being considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Hanafin: My Department has received an application for capital funding from the school in question. This has been assessed and schedules of accommodation to meet the current and long term accommodation needs of the school have been drawn up. The further progression of this project will be considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Written Answers — Ministerial Expenses: Ministerial Expenses (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The information sought by the Deputy is as detailed in the table below. The only Ministers of State that were paid expenses within the last five years were Minister of State Sile De Valera and Minister of State Sean Haughey. Sile de Valera 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ Travel Subs 297.00 1,622.95 602.67 4,594.59 651.97 0.00 Total 297.00...

Written Answers — College Appointments: College Appointments (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I am aware that it is the policy of Institutes of Technology to conduct recruitment and selection of staff through a transparent competitive process to ensure that the highest quality staff are appointed at all times. In late 2005, the Institute Directors established a group to review procedures and agreed to ask the Public Appointments Service to assist in the project. It was agreed also...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I am confident that the funding of €4.5 billion to be provided under the new National Development Plan (NDP) for investment in school building infrastructure will be adequate to meet my Department's needs over the lifetime of the Plan. This will be the largest investment programme in schools in the history of the State and will enable my Department to ensure that school places are...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The ICT in Schools Programme commenced in 1998 and aims to provide all pupils with the opportunity to achieve computer literacy and acquire the necessary skills for participation in the Information Society. There has been significant investment over the period in providing computers to schools, professional development ICT courses for teachers, improving the availability of digital content,...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The Deputy will be aware that the drafting of Planning and Development Regulations relating to mobile phone masts is a matter for the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The erection of such masts is subject to normal planning regulations which are administered by the relevant Local Authority. I am aware that the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Hanafin: My Department provides funding towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services in primary schools under two separate schemes. One scheme is the 1978/79 scheme for the employment of full-time secretaries and caretakers in primary schools, under which my Department meets the full cost of salary. This scheme is being phased out as posts become vacant and no new posts are being created....

Written Answers — In-Service Training: In-Service Training (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I would like to thank the Deputy for the opportunity to outline my Department's proposals in relation to in service training in key areas such as child protection, English as an additional language and special education. The Child Abuse Prevention Programme (CAPP) and the Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) support services have responsibility for child protection training at primary...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The School Planning Section of the Department is currently reviewing the accommodation needs for the foreseeable future for Kilkenny City and its Environs. Local schools will be advised should the outcome identify issues relevant to them.

Written Answers — Languages Programme: Languages Programme (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Apart from a small number of prescribed texts at post-primary level, mainly in the case of language subjects, decisions on which textbooks/resource materials to use in primary and post-primary schools are taken at school level. Significant improvements are being made in regard to the provision of suitable high quality textbooks and teaching materials specifically for use in Gaeltacht schools...

Written Answers — In-service Training: In-service Training (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Hanafin: My Department provides funding to Integrate Ireland Language Training (IILT) to provide Language Support Teachers with in-service training to assist them in meeting the English language needs of their pupils/students. Language assessment kits, based on best international practice are also to be provided to all primary schools during the 2007/08 school year. The kits will enable accurate...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I am satisfied that my Department will take the necessary steps to enable the Government to meet its targets in relation to the reduction of the staffing schedule in primary schools. My Department will continue to monitor the situation in the context of the needs of the system generally and in the light of available resources going forward.

Written Answers — Schools Recognition: Schools Recognition (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The application for recognition from the school referred to by the Deputy is under active consideration within my Department. When a decision has been made the relevant authority will be informed.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Hanafin: This project which has been approved to start architectural planning is being considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Hanafin: As I advised the Deputy recently, my Department provides funding for the education of children with autism through the primary and post-primary school system, rather than any specific support services being provided for parents. Parents may contact their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) directly to discuss their child's special educational needs using the contact details...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy will be aware, major improvements have been made in staffing at primary level in recent years. There are now 5,000 more primary teachers than there were in 2002. By the 2006/07 school year, we had reduced the average class size in our primary schools to 24, while the pupil teacher ratio was 16.4:1, including resource teachers etc. In that year, schools were staffed on the...