Results 13,681-13,700 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (27 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I wish to advise the Deputy that there is a charging lease in place for the school site dated 27th March 1945 for 99 years. The ownership of the site rests with St. Laurence O'Toole Diocesan Trust, whereas I have a vested interest in the site. In relation to any divesting or disposal arising, this is a matter in the first instance for the school patron to consider. I can advise that my...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (27 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The supply teacher scheme was initially set up at primary level over 15 years ago at a time when schools had difficulty getting substitute teachers. The supply scheme operates on the basis of an additional full-time teacher being allocated to a school to cover certified sick leave absences in that school and a cluster of neighbouring schools. If the teacher is not required on a given day to...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (27 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: An extensive study on educational requirements for Rush/Lusk for the medium to long-term was undertaken by the Commission on School Accommodation. This study was formalised and included in the "Draft Area Development Plan for North Dublin, East Meath and South Louth" which was published in January 2007. The Commission on School Accommodation report and demographic data available to the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Tenders will be invited shortly for the new school referred to by the Deputy. Following completion of the tender stage, assuming no issues arise, the project will progress to construction. Once the project goes on site it is envisaged that it will take 12 months to complete.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The tender report for the new Gaelscoil in Maynooth has been received and approved by my Department. My Department is currently awaiting receipt of the Supplementary Tender Report. When this report is received and approved, assuming that no issues arise, the project will progress to construction. Once on site it is envisaged that the project will take 12 months to complete.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The tender report for the proposed extension project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been recently received in my Department and is currently being assessed. When the tender report is approved, assuming that there are no issues arising, the project will progress to construction. Once the project goes on site it is envisaged that it will take twelve months to complete.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: A proposal has been submitted to the Department by the authority of the school to which the Deputy refers to meet its long-term accommodation needs. This proposal is under consideration and decision will issue to the school authority in due course.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. Planning permission has been received and the Design Team is currently working on completing the stage 2(b) submission for this project. Following receipt and review of the Stage 2(b) submission, my Department will revert to the school regarding next steps in the progression of the project...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy will be aware that approval has been given for the establishment of a new primary school for Naas to meet the continuing growing demand for primary school places in that area. The school will be a Community National School as part of the pilot model and it is my intention that it will commence operation from next September. The VEC is currently making arrangements for...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I can confirm the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for major capital funding which included for the provision of accommodation for an ASD unit. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and has been assigned a Band 1 rating. Information in respect of the current...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the school to which he refers has recently been approved capital funding on a devolved basis for three additional classrooms. The school has the option of purchasing or building this accommodation.

Written Answers — Teaching Qualifications: Teaching Qualifications (27 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Scheme for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers in Second Level Schools was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers' Conciliation Council, a body established in accordance with the terms of the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for Teachers. The Scheme is currently set out in consolidated format in Department Circular 29/2007. Any individual application for the...

Written Answers — Student Support Schemes: Student Support Schemes (27 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy will be aware that the current difficult economic circumstances have necessitated tough choices to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability in the long run. In these circumstances, from September 2010, as announced in the Budget, all new applicants who are in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA), and the VTOS allowances for those pursuing PLC courses,...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (1 Jun 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has introduced an appeals process whereby schools and parents may seek to appeal the decision of a SENO in relation to the allocation of resources. Information regarding the appeals process is available on the NCSE's website at www.ncse.ie. The NCSE is also in the process of establishing an Independent Appeal's Advisory Committee to consider...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (1 Jun 2010)

Mary Coughlan: A new post primary school at the location in County Leitrim referred by the Deputy, is one of eight schools which were approved for inclusion in the 3rd Bundle of schools to be procured via Public Private Partnership. This bundle is in the pre procurement stage. Detailed output specifications and Public Sector Benchmark (PSB) are being finalised and outline planning permission has been...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (1 Jun 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the project to which he refers commenced construction on the 24th of May.

Written Answers — Schools Recognition: Schools Recognition (1 Jun 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Commission on School Accommodation Needs is due to report to me soon on the recognition of new primary schools. I will then consider the policy matters and any necessary arrangements and revised procedures that will need to be put in place in regard to the recognition process for new primary schools. No new primary schools are being established pending the completion of the review and...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (1 Jun 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to encourage and facilitate people on certain social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and therefore, their prospects of returning to the workforce. Eligibility for the Back to Education Allowance and associated payments is determined and administered by the...

Written Answers — Inquiry into Child Abuse: Inquiry into Child Abuse (1 Jun 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 490 and 491 together. The matter to which the Deputy refers has already been dealt with in answers to previous Parliamentary Questions and in correspondence with the person referred to. In those responses it was confirmed that files held by my Department containing allegations made by the persons to whom the Deputy refers were given to the Commission to...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (1 Jun 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has received an application for large scale capital funding to provide accommodation to cater for the amalgamation of the two primary schools in the town to which she refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 1.4 rating. A technical...