Results 14,821-14,840 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (21 Oct 2010)
Mary Coughlan: The statutory framework for the Higher Education Grants Scheme, as set out in the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1969 to 1992, provides for means-tested higher education grants to assist students to attend full-time third level education in approved institutions. The institutions approved under the scheme are, generally speaking, publicly-funded third level colleges...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 Oct 2010)
Mary Coughlan: The school referred to by the Deputy was allocated a grant in June 2009 to replace temporary accommodation. The school management authorities were advised that they could utilise this grant to purchase replacement temporary accommodation or to build a permanent structure. I understand that the school authorities have decided to provide a permanent structure. Additional funding has recently...
- Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (21 Oct 2010)
Mary Coughlan: The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant grant awarding authority i.e. the applicant's local authority or VEC. Where a grant application is refused, the reason for the refusal is given by the grant awarding authority. An applicant may appeal the decision to the relevant local authority or VEC. Where the grant awarding authority...
- Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (21 Oct 2010)
Mary Coughlan: The selection and enrolment of pupils in schools is the responsibility of the authorities of the individual school. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. As schools may not have a place...
- Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (21 Oct 2010)
Mary Coughlan: My Department has approved rental contracts for the provision of 62 prefab units in 33 schools to date in 2010. In line with Department policy, all new rentals approved are for a period of between 6 months and 3 years. It should be noted that prefabs units may consist of one or more classrooms and/or ancillary accommodation.
- Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (21 Oct 2010)
Mary Coughlan: The average waiting time for the processing of grant applications varies between the 66 awarding bodies depending on a number of variables including the volume of applications received, staffing resources and whether or not properly completed application forms have been received. The process of assessing applications for the current academic year is on-going in the grant awarding authorities...
- Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Scheme: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (27 Oct 2010)
Mary Coughlan: I wish to advise the Deputy that the total amount expended by the Residential Institutions Redress Board on advertising in the UK between 2002 and 2005 was â¬519,120. Between 2002 and 2005, in addition to the placing of advertisements in Sunday newspapers, daily newspapers and publications aimed specifically at the Irish community, 7,500 leaflets and 7,500 pamphlets were distributed to the...
- Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Scheme: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (27 Oct 2010)
Mary Coughlan: I wish to advise the Deputy that there is no mechanism by which my Department can accurately estimate the number of persons resident in the UK who may have been eligible to apply for compensation under the Redress Scheme. My Department does not have access to any information which would provide details of the current whereabouts of persons who may have been resident in a scheduled...
- Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (27 Oct 2010)
Mary Coughlan: To qualify for the Special Rate of maintenance grant, an applicant must qualify for the ordinary maintenance grant in respect of the 2010/11 academic year. In addition, total reckonable income must not exceed a specified amount, which is â¬22,703 in the 2009 tax year. Finally, on the operative date, 31st December 2009 for the 2010/11 academic year, the reckonable income must include one of...
- Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (27 Oct 2010)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 168 together. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level for this school year is the pupil enrolment at 30 September 2009. The staffing schedule for the 2010/11 school year was published by my Department in March, 2010. The additional posts in the renewed Programme for Government enabled some...
- Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Oct 2010)
Mary Coughlan: The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available on a county basis. The managerial authorities of primary schools as at the 30th September had submitted claims for the payment of 302 retired teachers for work undertaken in a substitute capacity since the commencement of the current school year. These claims represent approximately 8% of the teachers engaged in substitute work...
- Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (27 Oct 2010)
Mary Coughlan: The circular referred to by the Deputy provided the basis for additional posts in respect of remedial education in Post Primary schools in the 1979/80 school year. The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools for the current school year are published on my Department's website. As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible,...
- Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (27 Oct 2010)
Mary Coughlan: I can confirm that an application for redundancy has been received by my Department from the Special Needs Assistant referred to by the Deputy. Applications for redundancy are being received on an ongoing basis and are processed in date order of receipt. The application in question will be dealt with as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 Oct 2010)
Mary Coughlan: My Department is currently in negotiations regarding the acquisition of a suitable site for the school in question. The progression of a project for the school from site acquisition and initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands...
- Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (27 Oct 2010)
Mary Coughlan: My Department has facilitated the running of the course referred to by the Deputy in a PLC centre for the last number of years. It is accredited by Dundee University as the equivalent of a Level 8 award on the National Framework of Qualifications (Honours Bachelor Degree/Higher Diploma). My Department funds four maintenance grant schemes, three at third level, the Higher Education Grants...
- Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (27 Oct 2010)
Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy may be aware, the ICT in Schools Programme addresses four broad areas, namely: - the provision of essential ICT infrastructure and networking within schools- the provision of access to broadband connectivity to schools- continuous professional development in ICT for teachers- integrating ICT within the curriculum and providing curriculum relevant digital content and software....
- Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (27 Oct 2010)
Mary Coughlan: The person the Deputy refers to was consulted by my Department in relation to the reduction of the redundancy payment. The consultation was by telephone. I will arrange for a written explanation to issue to the person in question.
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 Oct 2010)
Mary Coughlan: My Department has recently received the Stage 2b (detailed design) submission for the project to which the Deputy refers. My officials are currently reviewing this documentation and will revert to the Board of Management when this review is complete. The further progression of this project will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation...
- Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (27 Oct 2010)
Mary Coughlan: The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant grant awarding authority i.e. the applicant's local authority or VEC. Where a grant application is refused, the reason for the refusal is given by the grant awarding authority. An applicant may appeal the decision to the relevant local authority or VEC. Where the grant awarding authority...
- Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (27 Oct 2010)
Mary Coughlan: The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant grant awarding authority i.e. the applicant's local authority or VEC. Where a grant application is refused, the reason for the refusal is given by the grant awarding authority. An applicant may appeal the decision to the relevant local authority or VEC. Where the grant awarding authority...