Results 1,321-1,340 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (9 Mar 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available for the current school year. The system for allocating teachers to primary schools is based on ensuring an overall maximum class size of 29 pupils in each school. Where some classes in a school have class sizes of greater than 29 it is generally because a decision has been taken at local level to use the available teaching...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (9 Mar 2005)

Mary Hanafin: It is the policy of my Department to provide a permanent accommodation solution in so far as possible to meet accommodation demands in schools. However, the time span involved in architectural design and obtaining planning permission effectively means that it may not be possible in all instances to provide a permanent accommodation solution as soon as it is required and in these cases...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (9 Mar 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Significant improvements have been made in the pupil-teacher ratio at post-primary level in recent years. The ratio has fallen from 16:1 in the 1996 to 1997 school year to 13.6:1 in the 2003 to 2004 school year. In line with Government policy, my Department will continue to provide further reductions in the pupil-teacher ratio within available resources and subject to spending priorities...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (9 Mar 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Significant improvements have been made to the pupil-teacher ratio at primary level, which has fallen from 22.2:1 in the 1996 to 1997 school year to 17.44:1 in the 2003 to 2004 school year. In line with Government policy my Department will continue to provide further reductions in the pupil-teacher ratio within available resources and subject to spending priorities within the education...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (9 Mar 2005)

Mary Hanafin: In 1998, the Government took a decision that has transformed the level of provision for pupils with special educational needs, including those with mild and borderline mild general learning disabilities and dyslexia. Pupils with such needs are entitled to an automatic response to meet those needs and the allocation of resources to meet those needs no longer depends as in the past on the...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (9 Mar 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 287, 292, 293, 302, 304, 310, 318 together. The projects at the schools to which the Deputy refers have been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria which were revised following consultation with the education partners. The progress of these projects is being considered in the context of the 2005 school building programme. The Deputy...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (9 Mar 2005)

Mary Hanafin: My Department has not received any application for additional accommodation from the school referred to by the Deputy. The school authorities should contact the school planning section of my Department if there is a need for additional accommodation at the school.

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (9 Mar 2005)

Mary Hanafin: County Kildare VEC, which is the management authority of the post-primary school referred to by the Deputy, is currently progressing plans to relocate the school and extend its capacity to 1,000 pupils. Discussions have been held with County Kildare VEC, the local authority and representatives of a developer on the matter. It is not possible to indicate at this stage when the discussions will...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (9 Mar 2005)

Mary Hanafin: My Department has recently approved an extension project for the school referred to by the Deputy. This extension project is currently in progress and when completed will result in the school being able to cater for up to 900 pupils as agreed with the school authorities. It is expected that this new accommodation will meet the demand for school places in the medium term.

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (9 Mar 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The project at the school referred to by the Deputy is included in the list of projects I announced on 10 January which will be proceeding to tender and construction over the next 12 to 15 months. My Department's building unit held general information meetings for all schools with projects due to go to tender and construction in the next 12 to 15 months to guide them through the process...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (9 Mar 2005)

Mary Hanafin: My Department recently approved the provision of temporary accommodation for the school in question in respect of its additional accommodation requirements for September 2005.

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (9 Mar 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction is well underway on a six classroom extension at the school in question. It is envisaged that the extension will be completed in the latter half of 2005.

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (9 Mar 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction is well underway on a seven classroom extension at the school in question. It is envisaged that the extension will be completed in the latter half of 2005.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Mar 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The project for the school referred to by the Deputy is one of 122 major school projects to proceed to tender and construction over the next 12 to 15 months. My Department's building unit held general information meetings for all these schools to guide them through the process involved in moving projects to tender and construction. These meetings took place on 31 January and 1 February in...

Written Answers — Schools Recognition: Schools Recognition (9 Mar 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Newly established schools are generally required to undergo a period of provisional recognition, during which the operation of the school and the growth of pupil numbers are monitored. During that period, it is the responsibility of the school patron to provide interim accommodation. This accommodation should be capable of fully meeting the needs of the developing school until permanent...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Mar 2005)

Mary Hanafin: My Department has recently approved an extension project for the school referred to by the Deputy. This extension project is currently in progress and when completed will result in the school being able to cater for up to 900 pupils as agreed with the school authorities. It is expected that this new accommodation will meet the demand for school places in the medium term.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Mar 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction is underway on an extension consisting of four classrooms, ancillary accommodation plus a two classroom autistic unit at the school in question. It is envisaged that the extension will be completed in 2006.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Mar 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 301 and 312 together. Phase two of the extension project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme. In this regard, the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Mar 2005)

Mary Hanafin: An extension was completed in 2003 at the school referred to by the Deputy. There are currently no plans in my Department to provide further accommodation at this school at this time.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Mar 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction is well underway on a seven classroom extension at the school in question. It is envisaged that the extension will be completed in the latter half of 2005. Once the extension is completed the school will have 16 classrooms, general purpose room, library, staff room, general office, administration office, multipurpose room and learning...