Results 14,941-14,960 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (3 Nov 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 — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (3 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The school authority of the school referred to by the Deputy has recently written to my Department advising that, following meetings with Department officials and senior officials of the County Council, the Patron acquired a site, subject to planning, to facilitate the construction of a new school building. My Department will be responding in due course to the issues raised in the...

Written Answers — Vocational Education Committees: Vocational Education Committees (3 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Government have decided to reduce the overall number of VECs from 33 to 16 and to the merger of particular city and or counties. The location of the headquarters of the new VECs will be determined later. This will require engagement by my Department with the VECs concerned. A number of factors will come into play such as suitability of existing properties; capacity to cater for combined...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (3 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: FETAC monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of each provider's quality assurance system. All FETAC staff have a responsibility to monitor provider activity and a proactive approach to monitoring is taken by staff in all functions of FETAC, including in provider registration and certification and assessment activities supported by external examiners and authenticators. FETAC agrees each...

Written Answers — Departmental Transport: Departmental Transport (3 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: There are no state vehicles in use by my Department.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (3 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: My Department made funds available to bodies in the Education Sector to assist in the establishment of partnership arrangements in the workplace, aimed at involving staff in the change and modernisation process, delivering improvements in performance and improving the working environment. The funding provided support for staff and facilitation resources, training in partnership skills,...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (3 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded direct to him.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (3 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Officials of my Department will contact the person referred to by the Deputy in relation to the deductions made from his salary. Generally, since the 2nd June, 2002, a teacher is eligible for the award of superannuation benefits where they have a minimum of 2 years pensionable service. Where a teacher commenced teaching after April 2004, superannuation benefits are payable from their 65th...

Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010: Financial Resolution (4 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I move: That provision be made in the Act giving effect to this Resolution for the charging in accordance with the Act of fixed penalties, being penalties on foot of a notice that a carrier has failed to comply with his or her duties under section 33 of the Act, and certain fees, being fees for the issue of visas; for dealing with visa review applications; for consents to enter the State at a...

Issue of Writ: Donegal South-West By-election (4 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I am moving the writ.

Issue of Writ: Donegal South-West By-election (4 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I move: That the Ceann Comhairle direct the Clerk of the Dáil to issue his writ for the election of a Member to fill the vacancy which has occurred in the membership of the present Dáil consequent on the election to the European Parliament of Pat "The Cope" Gallagher, a member for the constituency of Donegal South-West. The Government last evening considered the judgement delivered by the...

Issue of Writ: Donegal South-West By-election (4 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: While our economy is emerging from recession with growth returning and our competitive position improving dramatically with exports achieving a remarkably strong performance, our borrowing costs have increased significantly and our public finances still require a major additional correction. This correction amounts to €15 billion over the next four years, an enormous challenge, requiring...

Issue of Writ: Donegal South-West By-election (4 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I have had the great privilege of representing the people of Donegal South-West for a considerable time. I know they will be watching closely over the next three weeks to see what party can demonstrate that Ireland has the political leadership necessary to overcome her current economic challenges. Some of the Deputies opposite will be visiting Donegal over the next three weeks. I advise...

Issue of Writ: Donegal South-West By-election (4 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: As a county, we are well accustomed to facing challenges. In addition to facing difficulties such as declining traditional industries and ways of life, we have also had to meet the challenge of being located on the periphery with, for many years, our immediate hinterland in counties Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh being out of reach. That fact has forced us to be innovative in finding our own...

Issue of Writ: Donegal South-West By-election (4 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Is the Deputy getting worried about it?

Issue of Writ: Donegal South-West By-election (4 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Not a bother, I have been training for it.

Issue of Writ: Donegal South-West By-election (4 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: A very progressive policy.

Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Scheme: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (4 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Redress Scheme was established in 2002 as an exceptional measure to address abuse in specified residential institutions and to quote the then Minister from the Second Stage Debate on the redress legislation "It is not, and was never intended to be, a panacea for every injustice committed on children". The inclusion of children abused in foster care was raised during the passage of the...

Written Answers — Skills Development: Skills Development (4 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Learning can take place in a wide variety of settings, potentially including family contexts. There is demand for assessment and recognition of such prior learning and training from individuals and learners who wish to receive an award or gain credit against a formal programme of education or training. The term 'Recognition of Prior Learning' refers to the process of recognition of the...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (4 Nov 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 (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The allocation...