Results 13,341-13,360 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Radon Gas Levels: Radon Gas Levels (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: My Department commenced a Radon Remediation Programme in 1998 when it commissioned the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) to conduct a survey of radon levels in all primary and post primary schools. Radon in third level colleges is a matter for the individual institutions. The programme initially involved surveying radon levels in schools and subsequently carrying out...

Written Answers — Psychological Service: Psychological Service (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy will be aware all primary and post-primary schools have access to psychological assessments either directly through the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) or through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA). Schools that do not currently have NEPS psychologists assigned to them may avail of the SCPA, whereby the school can have an assessment...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: In general, my Department approves the purchase or rental of prefabricated classrooms based on need at the time of application. My Department does not hold information on the numbers of pupils in individual schools who currently occupy temporary accommodation, this depends on the organisation of class groups by the school management within available accommodation and may vary from year to...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The intended expenditure on school buildings at primary and post-primary level and on third-level institutions in 2010 is contained in the attached document. The capital spend in these three areas as of end April 2010 and from 2005-2009 is also as follows. Capital Allocation 2010 * all figures in €m* 2010 Allocation End Apr 2010 Position Primary Level €306.800 €39.034 ...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (11 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Superannuation schemes in Vocational Educational Committees are administered by each Vocational Educational Committee, while my Department has responsibility for the regulation of these schemes. In order to have an entitlement to superannuation benefits at retirement a member must have 2 years of scheme membership. Where a member has less than 2 years service a refund of contributions less...

Written Answers — Educational Projects: Educational Projects (11 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I am not aware of any proposal from the Commission to cease funding for these scholarships. The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (no. 2) Act 2009 has determined the criteria for reducing the pay of public servants with effect from 1st January 2010. In this Act, a "public servant" is defined as a person who is employed by, or who holds any office or other position in, a...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (11 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: My colleague the Minister for Labour Affairs and for Public Service Transformation set out in his reply to the Deputy on 25th March 2010 that the matter in question is a day-to-day staffing one for FÁS as provided for in the Labour Services Act, 1987. I understand that FÁS, at the request of the said Minister, has since written directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (11 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The individual case referred to by the Deputy is a day-to-day matter for FÁS as provided for under the Labour Services Act, 1987. Following the December 2009 Budget the payment of FÁS training allowances is now aligned to a person's entitlement to supports for jobseekers and Department of Social Protection rules. Consequently, where a trainee is entitled to a welfare payment at the...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (11 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 354 to 356, inclusive, together. The Work Placement Programme provides up to 9 months work experience for up to 2,000 unemployed individuals, including graduates. 153 Public Sector bodies applied and were approved for the Work Placement Scheme in 2009. 752 Private Sector employers applied and were approved for the Work Placement Scheme in 2009. As at 7th May...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (11 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I am investigating the feasibility of providing this information and will reply to the Deputy substantively in the matter as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (11 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a third-level admissions scheme for students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. The scheme is operated by a number of higher education institutions and not by my Department. Admissions to the institutions are regulated by the institutions themselves. The Deputy may wish to contact the Irish Universities Association in this instance.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (11 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENO) for allocating special needs supports to schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The costs associated with the change in title of my Department will be funded from my Department's administrative budget allocation. Arrangements are currently underway to effect the change to my Department's website title and associated stationary and these changes will be completed within the next few weeks. My Department is mindful of the need to keep all costs in respect of the...

Written Answers — Vocational Educational Committees: Vocational Educational Committees (11 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I can confirm for the Deputy that my Department has corresponded with the CEO of Co. Cork VEC regarding this matter. The CEO has furnished a detailed response, which is being considered by my Department.

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (11 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 362 and 364 together. The school to which the Deputies refer applied for funding under the Summer Works Scheme 2010 for a toilet upgrade and to install a rain water recycling system. I am pleased to inform the Deputies that funding has been approved for toilet upgrade works. The school will be aware from the Governing Circular Letter that rain water recycling...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (11 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Higher Education Grants Scheme operates under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992. Under the scheme, an approved course is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of at least two years duration or a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one year duration pursued in an approved institution. There are no plans at present to extend the scope of...

Written Answers — OECD Feasibility Studies: OECD Feasibility Studies (11 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The OECD Assessment of Higher Education Learning Outcomes (AHELO) feasibility study aims to assess whether it is possible to measure learning outcomes at the international level in order to provide relevant information to higher education institutions, governments and other stakeholders, including students and employers. The feasibility study was launched with the participation of ten...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (11 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy will be aware that there has been unprecedented investment in providing supports for pupils with special needs in recent years and Special Education continues to be a key Government priority. Over €1 billion is being spent in supporting special educational provision this year. There are now about 20,000 adults in our schools working solely with pupils with special needs. This...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (11 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy may be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers, for allocating special needs supports to schools to support children with special educational needs. The qualifying criteria for the allocation of special needs assistant (SNA) support is outlined in my Department's Circular Letter...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (11 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I consider that the level and range of supports in schools funded by my Department does enable pupils with special educational needs have access to an appropriate education. The primary responsibility for educating children with special educational needs rests with the class teacher. In carrying out their responsibilities, the class teacher may be supported by the learning support teacher...