Results 14,081-14,100 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (30 Jun 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the Co. Donegal projects referred to by the Deputy, is now available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (30 Jun 2010)

Mary Coughlan: My Department was not required to develop a sectoral plan under the Disability Act 2005. For the Deputy's information the six Departments required to develop sectoral plans under this Act were the Departments of Health and Children; Social and Family Affairs; Transport; Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; Environment, Heritage and Local Government; and Enterprise, Trade and...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (30 Jun 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I wish to inform the deputy that expenditure in 2010 on schools in Donegal will depend on progress of projects and the submission of the necessary certification to my Department in order to enable payment. Currently, there are three major school building projects at construction stage. In addition, there are four further major projects in this area in Architectural Planning which were...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (30 Jun 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 (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. All schools have the names and...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (30 Jun 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together. The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on my Department's website. In terms of the position at individual school level the key factor for determining the level of resources provided by my Department is the pupil enrolment at 30 September. The final position for any one school will depend on a...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (30 Jun 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The gross expenditure allocation for my Department for 2010, as set out in the Further Revised Estimates for 2010, is just over €9.295 billion. €452 million of this amount is in respect of funding previously funded from the Vote of the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment. This is to cover expenditure for the period 1 May 2010, when these functions transferred to my Department,...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (30 Jun 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Information prior to 2008 is not readily available in the format requested by the Deputy. The information from 2008 onward is being compiled by my Department and this information will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.

Written Answers — Schools Patronage: Schools Patronage (30 Jun 2010)

Mary Coughlan: My Department is aware of the need for additional school accommodation in the general Midleton area. With this in mind my Department is engaged in the process of acquiring a site considered suitable subject to contract. The future Patronage of any schools constructed on this property will be in the context of future educational demand in the area.

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (30 Jun 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Department is committed to funding the provision of general purpose rooms and outdoor play areas in schools as part of the school building and modernisation programme. This is being addressed in the context of available resources and published criteria for prioritising school building projects. The provision of GP rooms but not playing pitches is part of the specification for primary...

Written Answers — Science Education: Science Education (30 Jun 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I have asked my officials to compile the information and forward to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (30 Jun 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations including making arrangements for the marking of work presented for examinations and issuing the results of examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you. I wish to inform the Deputy that the...

Written Answers — Third Level Enrolments: Third Level Enrolments (30 Jun 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The following table shows the new first year entrants to science and engineering courses in universities and the technology sector for the years 2004/05 and 1999/00 where available. 2009/10 data is not yet available. Full-time undergraduate students entering for the first time 1999/00 Universities Technology Sector Male Female Total Male Female Total Science 955 1277 2232 N/A...

Written Answers — Science Education: Science Education (30 Jun 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I have asked my officials to compile the information and forward to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Mary Coughlan: It is proposed to take No. b14, motion re referral to select committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the ratification by Ireland of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants; No. 21, Central Bank Reform Bill 2010 - Report and Final Stages (resumed); No. 22, Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad] - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No....

Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Government and the Minister for Finance are most anxious to bring in reform of the regulatory frameworks we have in this country, and it is on that basis this type of legislation is being brought to the House.

Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Mary Coughlan: There was more than 15.5 hours of debate on Second Stage of the Bill. To ensure this legislation is passed by both Houses prior to the summer recess, the Government is anxious that it would be passed here. It is on that basis we are not in a position to change the order.

Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I can appreciate the annoyance of the members of the committee where explanatory memoranda were not made available. I note that and will ensure that in future all Departments are advised that explanatory memoranda on significant changes must be made available to Members. This is complex legislation. It deals with the European Court of Justice judgment against Ireland on the...

Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Following deliberation and discussion by Members of both Houses, the Minister introduced a number of amendments. Second Stage took longer than 12 hours and on the basis of the necessity to ensure we do not incur heavy fines, we are proposing this legislation is brought forward.

Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The revised bank guarantee scheme to implement the new expiry date will be brought before both Houses of the Oireachtas for approval prior to the end of September. It is secondary legislation but will be brought to both Houses for discussion. I am not sure we will have time available next week to discuss the NAMA business plan on the basis that a number of pieces of legislation must go...

Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I reiterate that the provision of a new ward unit at St. Vincent's hospital for the support of those who suffer from cystic fibrosis is absolutely fundamental to this Government. We will proceed with it. I have agreed with the Whip and I understand it was discussed with the Opposition Whips that we would provide time next week for a discussion on this matter.