Results 12,841-12,860 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Special Educational Needs: Motion. (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I am confident the introduction of the new appeals process will lead to a greater level of clarity on the resources. I would encourage use of the new appeals procedure by parents who are dissatisfied with the outcome of the review of their child's case. I note also that the original motion calls for a review of the SNA's role in light of schools' experience of the post and also calls for...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The level of detail sought by the Deputy would take some time to collate within my Department. My Department's Teacher Allocation Section is currently focused on the initial work for the allocation of staffing for the coming school year and I do not propose to divert them from this work at this key time in the allocation process.

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The current position regarding the measures relevant to my Department in Annex D of Budget 2009 (Rationalisation of State Agencies) is as follows: 1. Amalgamation of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and the Further Education and Training Awards Council - Statutory provision for the amalgamation of HETAC, FETAC and the...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: A person in receipt of the One-Parent Family Payment may be entitled to a student maintenance grant provided they meet the terms and conditions of the relevant student grant scheme. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant assessing authority, i.e. the applicant's local authority or VEC.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The sequence for projects which have been approved to progress after the completion of the design stage, is the tender stage followed by the construction stage. Due to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to give the full details sought by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Due to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to give full details of the schools referred to by the Deputy. However, as the Deputy will be aware, on 16 February last, my predecessor made an announcement regarding projects to enter architectural planning and to proceed to tender and construction. A project for the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos.199 and 200 together. The list of all projects currently at tender stage was provided to the Deputy on the 25th of March 2010. There are currently no school building projects which have the necessary statutory approvals in place and have fully completed the tender process, that are awaiting permission to proceed to construction. Subject to the necessary...

Written Answers — School Patronage: School Patronage (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 to 205, inclusive, together. Given the changing nature of Irish society and the projected need for a number of post primary schools to open in the medium term, the Department is considering a number of broad policy issues regarding the establishment of new post-primary schools. As part of this, consideration is being given to the setting up of a new...

Written Answers — Third Level Charges: Third Level Charges (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Student Services Charge is levied by the Higher Education institutions to defray the costs of examinations, registration and student services. All students who are eligible under the means tested student support schemes do not have to pay this charge. The charge is paid on their behalf by the Local Authorities or the Vocational Education Committees, in addition to any maintenance grant...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The closing date for the receipt of applications under the Summer Works Scheme 2010 was 27 November 2009. Some 2,300 applications were received. The assessment of these applications is now being finalised in the Department's Planning and Building Unit and I expect to be able to publish a list of the successful applicants shortly.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENO) for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The allocation for any school and any adjustments to...

Order of Business (1 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: It is proposed to take No. 10, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of an initiative for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the rights to interpretation and to translation in criminal proceedings (back from committee); No. 22a statements on banking; and No.22b statements on obesity. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 10...

Order of Business (1 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I take the opportunity this morning to say that we are all appalled at what happened in Anglo Irish Bank.

Order of Business (1 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: We are all appalled by that, lest it not be said in this House.

Order of Business (1 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: It is also important to say——

Order of Business (1 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: There has perhaps been a misinterpretation of what is happening. I want to reaffirm to this House and the people that all of the company directors loans will be vigorously pursued.

Order of Business (1 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I reiterate that I have full confidence in the Garda investigation that has been taking place and in regard to which considerable progress has been made. The investigation has been vigorous and focussed.

Order of Business (1 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: We await the outcome of the joint investigation by the Garda and Director of Corporate Enforcement.

Order of Business (1 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: It is important to say, on the issue of the scope of the inquiry, that the Government agreed to the holding of an inquiry to deal with the issues that arose heretofore on the basis that it is hugely important that this information is available to us.

Order of Business (1 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I say also to the Labour Party that there has been five hours of discussion on this matter.