Results 15,021-15,040 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension. In accordance with the published criteria for large scale building projects, the project for this school has been assigned a Band 2 rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy may be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has published its report on the Review of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Allocation to Schools April 2009 – March 2010 on its website www.ncse.ie. The NSCE has since carried out a number of further reviews of SNA allocation of schools, bringing the total number of schools reviewed as at September 2010 to 3,056....

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I can confirm to the Deputy that there was a significant reorganisation of the Planning and Building Unit of my Department in 2008. This reorganisation involved the development of expertise in relation to forward planning of future school accommodation needs, the acquisition and implementation of a Geographic Information System, the development of an inventory of school accommodation, the...

Written Answers — On-line Text Books: On-line Text Books (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I support the provision of digital content for schools including the availability of text books on-line for both primary and post primary schools. As the Deputy will be aware, learning related digital content can take several forms such as content created by publishing companies for use in schools, learning content available on the national education portal site Scoilnet and content created...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: 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 the 30 September of each year. While the staffing schedule allocates on the basis of an average number of pupils each...

Written Answers — Third Level Drop-out Rates: Third Level Drop-out Rates (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The HEA report on progression rates in higher education highlighted a number of factors that strongly influence the likelihood of a student's progression from first year into second year. The factor found to most influence likely progression from first year into second year is the prior educational attainment of the student, with good performance in Leaving Cert mathematics particularly...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The terms of reference for the High Level Group which was established to develop proposals for a new national strategy for higher education provided for an extensive examination of all issues relating to the future development of the higher education sector. The Group has now completed its work and I am now consulting with my Government colleagues in relation to its report. The timeframe for...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 90 together. Pupil numbers at both primary and post-primary level continue to increase. 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...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy is aware my Department is engaged in the process of acquiring a site and to this end has applied for planning permission as part of the exchange of contracts. My officials have arranged a meeting with the planning authority in the coming weeks to discuss and address issues raised by them on foot of the application.

Written Answers — Student Registration Fee: Student Registration Fee (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82, 124 and 164 together. As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, I am not in a position to comment on budgetary proposals. Speculation on any decision in relation to student registration fees is just that, speculation. The Student Services Charge is levied by the Higher Education institutions to defray the costs of examinations, registration and student...

Written Answers — Public Sector Pay: Public Sector Pay (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I can inform the Deputy that my Department has submitted it's draft Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 Action Plan to the Department of Finance for inclusion in an overall Civil and Public Service Action Plan. I understand that the composite Action Plan is currently being prepared by the Department of Finance for submission to the Implementation Body in the near future. My Department's...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: There are currently 90 personnel employed in temporary full-time positions in primary schools and 150 employed in regular part-time posts that are in receipt of the unqualified rate of pay. There are 92 personnel employed in temporary and regular part-time positions in secondary, community and comprehensive schools at present that are in receipt of the unqualified rate of pay. These figures...

Written Answers — Education Reform: Education Reform (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Report Smart Schools Smart Economy sets out a range of recommendations which are designed to strengthen the integration of ICT in teaching and learning in primary and post primary schools. The Report recommends an investment of €150m over 3 years to improve the ICT infrastructure, expand professional development for teachers, enhance the digital content available in support of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy will appreciate that the preparation of the Budget is carried out on a strictly confidential basis and as a result it would not be appropriate for me to comment on specific matters in advance of the formal announcements involved. The Government has made it clear that difficult budgetary decisions will be necessary across the broad spectrum of public expenditure in order to secure...

Written Answers — Third Level Access: Third Level Access (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: While the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in the format requested, I can provide information on percentage participation rates in the various categories of students from 1998 and provide details of the new targets that have been set in the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2008-13. In 1998 the overall participation rate in higher education...

Written Answers — Aitheantas Scoile: Aitheantas Scoile (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Mar a chuir me in iúl cheana don Teach seo, tá an Coimisiún um Chóiríocht Scoileanna faoi láthair ag athbhreithniú na nósanna imeachta do bhunscoileanna nua a bhunú. Nuair a d'fhógair an tAire a chuaigh romham go raibh an t-athbhreithniú ag tosnú, dúirt sé nach mbunófaí bunscoil nua ar bith go dtí go mbeadh an t-athbhreithniú curtha i gcrích ach amháin i gcásanna ina...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97, 129 and 175 together. The process of assessing and paying third level or further education grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC. I am aware that the timing of payment varies between the 66 awarding authorities depending on a number of variables including the volume of applications received, staffing resources and whether or not...

Written Answers — School Placement: School Placement (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: As I have previously outlined to the Deputy, the Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of analysing all areas in the country in order to determine the level of additional provision which will be required at both primary and post primary level up to 2017. Overall post-primary requirements in the East Cork area will be considered in this context. The delivery of any...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I wish to assure the Deputy that I am committed to supporting education in schools under Protestant management, while at the same time ensuring that funding arrangements are in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. In this regard, I had a useful meeting with Protestant educational representatives on 9 September last. At the conclusion of that meeting, we agreed to continue our...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: As outlined in the table, Community Employment (CE) scheme participant standard payments are made up of the individual's social welfare entitlement and a participation bonus. The Jobseeker's Allowance was reduced by 4.1% and the participation bonus by 18% in the December 2009 budget. However, CE participants continue to receive a €20 per week participation bonus over the Jobseeker's...