Results 13,181-13,200 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (5 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works is now available on my Department's website at www.education.ie I have set out, for the Deputy's convenience, a list of schools in North Tipperary that applied for a school building project in 2000. The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by...

Written Answers — Teaching Qualifications: Teaching Qualifications (5 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations including organising the holding of examinations, determining procedures in places where examinations are conducted including the supervision of examinations and making arrangements for the marking of work presented for examination. In view of this I have forwarded...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (5 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The school to which the Deputy refers was one of a number of projects announced on the 16th February last to commence architectural planning in 2010. A tender competition is currently underway for the appointment of a Project Manager/Design Team. When this competition is completed it is expected that planning permission will be lodged soon thereafter.

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (5 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has been involved in discussions with Galway County Council in relation to this matter. I am advised that the Local Authority is actively engaged in negotiating on a suitable site, however due to the commercial sensitivities pertaining to the acquisition of school sites generally, it is not possible for me to comment further at this time.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (5 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The provision of appropriate educational intervention and supports for children with special educational needs continues to be a key Government priority. Over €1 billion is being spent in supporting special educational provision this year. My Department is very supportive of the special needs assistants (SNA) scheme. It has been a key factor in both ensuring the successful integration of...

Written Answers — Transition Year Programme: Transition Year Programme (5 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 414, 415 and 418 together. The management authority of each school carries responsibility for making decisions regarding the Transition Year (TY) Programme in that school. In some schools, the programme is compulsory for all students. In those that offer it as an option, circumstances may arise where it is necessary to limit the number of students who can...

Written Answers — Boards of Management: Boards of Management (5 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: In Ireland, the 1998 Education Act provides the legal framework for the delivery of education to children. Under the Education Act, 1998 the day to day management of schools is a matter for the Board of Management. Specifically, Section 15 (1) of the Act provides that "It shall be the duty of a board to manage the school on behalf of the patron and for the benefit of the students and their...

Written Answers — Boards of Management: Boards of Management (5 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Education Act 1998 provides the broad framework for our education system and sets out the main roles, rights and responsibilities of the various parties to our education system. An extensive range of supports and guidance material, including Department Circulars, is in place to assist and guide schools in carrying out their day to day activities. The Education Act 1998 provides the...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (5 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: At present my Department has an educational psychologist who is a former retired school teacher. On his appointment to the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) the payment of his teacher's pension ceased. The person concerned is in receipt of a gross salary of €79,238. At the recruitment stage, once the Department becomes aware that an officer is in receipt of a public service...

Written Answers — Language Support: Language Support (5 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: In the current school year, there are over 1,180 EAL teachers (English as an additional language) at primary level providing support to about 32,200 migrant students for whom English is not their first language. The level of detail sought by the Deputy in respect of each individual school would take some time to collate within my Department. My Department's Teacher Allocation Section is...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (5 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: My Department provides funds for over thirty projects in Local Drugs Task Force areas, including the project specifically referred to by the Deputy. The projects are mainly administered by the three VECs in Dublin City, Dublin County and in Dún Laoghaire. In the context of the budget for 2010 and the difficult fiscal climate, it was decided that funding for these projects was to be reduced...

Order of Business (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: It is proposed to take No. a11, motion re membership of committees; No. 4, Competition (Amendment) Bill 2010 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage; and No. 3, Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. a11 shall be decided without debate. Private Members' business shall be No. 76, motion...

Order of Business (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Following a request from the Greek authorities, the Finance Ministers in Europe agreed to activate a stability package for Greece. That is designed first and foremost to safeguard the financial stability of the EU and Greece. The discussion between the Heads of State tomorrow has to be finalised and as the Taoiseach pointed out in respect of our own legislation, any international agreement...

Order of Business (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: We are proceeding on that basis.

Order of Business (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Legislation on directly elected mayors will be this session. As the Taoiseach indicated yesterday in his response, the matter of the children's rights referendum is with the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews. The Government has not made a final decision. Until such time as the Government has made that decision there will be no determination on when there will be a referendum. The...

Order of Business (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Clearly the Government will make a decision on determining when that referendum should take place. However, as I indicated before - as did the Taoiseach - that matter has not been finalised by the Government yet. We will consider that once the Minister of State has completed his work. It is important for us to move ahead on the basis of what heretofore was an all-party agreement.

Order of Business (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Government will make its decision on the appropriate way in which we can progress the matter.

Order of Business (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: We are not terrified, but the Deputy might be more terrified than some over here are.

Order of Business (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: All in this House agree that a constitutional amendment on children's rights should be seen as being beyond politics.

Order of Business (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: We should leave it there. A considerable amount of work was done my many Members of this House and there has been much deliberation. On that basis we want to proceed-----