Results 12,981-13,000 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Post-Primary schools: Post-Primary schools (19 Dec 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The information requested by the Deputy is not yet available with respect of the current school year. The information in respect of the school year 2006-07 is contained in my Department's published "List of Post-Primary Schools", a copy of which is provided to each member of Dáil Éireann annually. I have asked that another copy be forwarded to the Deputy through the post.

Written Answers — Summer Works Programme: Summer Works Programme (19 Dec 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available.

Written Answers — School Enrolment: School Enrolment (19 Dec 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The number of children who will leave primary schools, i.e. children currently enrolled in sixth class, in June 2008 in the Dublin 15 is not currently available. However, based on the number of children enrolled in fifth classes in 2006/07, the expected number of children leaving primary schools will be 970. There are six post primary schools currently serving the Dublin 15 area and in...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (19 Dec 2007)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy may be aware I have made a particular point of visiting as many schools as possible as well as attending school openings. This practice affords the opportunity of engaging with principals, teachers, pupils and parents and allows me and them to raise issues of interest and concern. In the course of a visit to another school I met with the principal of the school referred to by...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (19 Dec 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The information sought by the Deputy in respect of advice that has been formally commissioned on a consultancy basis is being compiled in my Department and will be sent to him as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Third Level Institutions: Third Level Institutions (19 Dec 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be issued to the Deputy by my Department shortly.

Written Answers — Third Level Institutions: Third Level Institutions (19 Dec 2007)

Mary Hanafin: In 2004, the Government commissioned a major OECD review of higher education to support Ireland's strategic ambition of placing our higher education system at the front rank of the OECD in the context of the wider national objective of developing as a world leading knowledge economy and society. A key recommendation of the OECD report was that Ireland should retain the differentiation in...

Written Answers — Third Level Institutions: Third Level Institutions (19 Dec 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I am currently considering the report referred to by the Deputy in conjunction with my officials. As I have already informed the Deputy, the application from Waterford Institute of Technology for university status must be considered in the context of overall Government policy towards higher education.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (19 Dec 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to civil servants employed by my Department is provided on the following table. Officers transferred to posts based outside Dublin Officers transferred to posts based in Dublin in the interim before decentralisation Department of Education & Science (DES) Other organisations Department of Education & Science (DES) Other organisations...

Special Educational Needs. (30 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: No, that is not in my constituency.

Special Educational Needs. (30 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: As this case may be appealed to the Supreme Court, I am restricted in what I can say about it. The Government recognises that parents of all children with special needs make great sacrifices and I am determined to ensure that all children get the support they need to reach their full potential. There is no doubt that, over decades, the record of the State in providing for children with...

Special Educational Needs. (30 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The judge also stated: "In my view there is no special cause in this case which would require this court to exercise its discretion to award to the plaintiffs the cost of the entire proceedings on the basis that it was a case of general importance to the country at large or that it raised matters of particular public importance." He recognised that the case was of course of major importance...

Special Educational Needs. (30 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Neither does the Department take lightly any decision to defend cases concerning children with special educational needs. Every effort is made to resolve the issues without going to court. Cases are generally only litigated where no potential settlement is acceptable to both sides and the Government's authority to decide issues of policy is at stake.

Special Educational Needs. (30 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: It is the right of individuals to proceed with litigation if they so wish. In these circumstances, where the Department of Education and Science believes that the education provision available is appropriate it will defend a case. I consider that this is an entirely reasonable approach. The number of cases taken against the State has shown a downward trend in recent times which can be partly...

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (30 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: On 18th December, 2007, the advice given to schools was to hold these bills until the Government had issued a more detailed statement. A more detailed statement in January 2008 advised schools that where arrears exist on bills for water charges, schools should raise the matter with the local authority.

Written Answers — Educational Qualifications: Educational Qualifications (30 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 890 and 892 together. FETAC does not accredit trainers as individuals, but does approve training institutions and awards. The process is two-fold: firstly a centre or institution must agree its overall quality assurance arrangements with FETAC in compliance with published criteria, and then the actual programme of education or training being offered, including...

Written Answers — Educational Qualifications: Educational Qualifications (30 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I am aware that reports have highlighted some difficulties regarding the recognition of migrants' qualifications, and indicate that many highly skilled migrants work in occupations demanding lower levels of skill. EU Directive 2005/36/EC on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications enables professionals qualified in another Member State to seek recognition of their qualifications...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (30 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Existing education policy is that students up to 18 years of age are admitted to primary and second level schools irrespective of their nationality or status. Indeed, under the Equal Status Act, schools may not discriminate in admission to schools except where this is necessary to maintain the religious values or ethos of the school. While the Act does provide for differential treatment in...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (30 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: As part of the expansion of the Small Schools Scheme, a grant was allocated in March 2007 to enable the management authority of the school in question to extend and refurbish their school. The Scheme allows Boards of Management to address their accommodation and building priorities with a guaranteed amount of funding and gives Boards of Management control of their building project. Currently,...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (30 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The educational institution referred to by the Deputy is a designated College under the aegis of the Higher Education Authority (HEA). The Authority is responsible for, inter alia, evaluating capital proposals from institutions under its aegis and issuing recommendations to the Department regarding such proposals. A proposal for capital developments at the College in question is currently...