Results 15,201-15,220 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (16 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that funding for the provision of a special needs unit at the school in question has recently been approved.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 117 together. As the Deputies will be aware, the project to which they refer encountered delays in securing planning permission and land transfers. These problems were compounded by certain issues that subsequently arose with the preferred bidder and which resulted in a recent decision to re-tender the project. It is envisaged that the project will be...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has ongoing discussions with stakeholders regarding the school building programme and in the course of recent discussions, the matter of the 2010 capital programme for my Department was raised. The situation regarding delivery of the school building programme is outlined in such discussions and stakeholders are briefed on the same issues that I myself outlined to the House...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (16 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: As part of the Summer Works Scheme 2010, schools were invited to apply for Water Conservation Measures to reduce water usage by installing push type spray taps, low flushing toilets and urinal controls. Funding in excess of €9.6m was allocated to 1823 primary and post-primary schools in late October 2010. Schools were advised that funding should be drawn down within two months from date of...

Written Answers — Institutes of Technology: Institutes of Technology (16 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Irish Homecoming Study Programme is an initiative developed by the Institute of Technology sector to promote the Institutes overseas, primarily in the US market. It does not fall within the remit of my Department, nor has it received any funding from my Department.

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (16 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Funding for Emergency Works are made available to those schools most in need of resources as a result of unforeseen emergencies of a capital nature that may arise during the school year. The school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application for funding under this scheme to my Department and this application is being assessed. A decision will issue to the school as soon as possible.

Written Answers — College Financial Statements: College Financial Statements (16 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Under the Universities Act, 1997, Universities must submit to the Comptroller and Auditor General their annual consolidated financial statements. A copy of the financial statements, together with a copy of the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the accounts, must then be presented by the University to both the Higher Education Authority and to my Department. My Department must...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (16 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I wish to advise that my officials have conducted technical inspections of two properties at the request of the school authority referred to by the Deputy. Technical reports are being finalised with a view to identifying the optimum solution. Once these are to hand, my officials will be in a better position to give further consideration to the proposed options and will appraise the school...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (16 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 121 together. 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 received its report in August. I am...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (16 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The aim of the education mission was to increase awareness of Ireland as a destination for full-time academic study by US students, building on our strong position as the ninth most popular destination among American students studying overseas for a semester or academic year. My engagements were: - Networking event for Irish higher education institutions and high school counsellors from the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (17 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy recently submitted an updated Major Capital Application for funding to my Department. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published criteria for large scale building projects, and has been assigned a Band 3 rating. The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria,...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (17 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department recently authorised the Design Team to issue the Letter of Acceptance (i.e. award the contract). Assuming that no issues arise, it is expected that the project will commence construction within weeks and will take circa 12 months to complete.

Written Answers — European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (17 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: To allow an EU Member State to make a sustainable application for EGF assistance in respect of redundancies occurring in a particular enterprise or sector, strict eligibility criteria must be satisfied under the European Globalization Adjustment Fund Regulation (EGF). These criteria include meeting defined minimum redundancy numbers within certain reference periods. In this context, the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (17 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of the ender process. Subject to no issues arising, it is anticipated that the project will progress to construction shortly and will take circa 12 months to construct.

Written Answers — Educational Grants: Educational Grants (17 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The PLC Scheme prescribes the terms and conditions of funding in respect of students attending courses in approved PLC Centres. Students are eligible to be considered for grant assistance in respect of one approved PLC Course. Clause 3.2 of the PLC Scheme sets out the circumstances under which grant assistance may be awarded in respect of subsequent study at PLC Level i.e. where a candidate...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (17 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Funding for Emergency Works are made available to those schools most in need of resources as a result of unforeseen emergencies of a capital nature that may arise during the school year. The school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application for funding under this scheme to my Department and this application is being assessed. A decision will issue to the school as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (17 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy will be aware, the project to which he refers encountered delays in securing planning permission and land transfers. These problems were compounded by certain issues that subsequently arose with the preferred bidder and which resulted in a recent decision to re-tender the project. It is envisaged that the project will be re-tendered shortly. Subject to no issues arising, it is...

Written Answers — Schools Funding: Schools Funding (17 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The top 5% is the general criterion used by the Dublin City University Centre for Talented Youth in Ireland as an indicator to teachers of giftedness for purposes of their talent search. In 2007, "Exceptionally Able students –Draft Guidelines for Teachers" was published jointly by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and the Council for Curriculum Examinations and Assessment...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (17 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy will be 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. As the planning application relates to ensuring certainty for the purchase of lands as distinct from the specifics of a building project, it is not considered appropriate to involve the schools at this time. That...

Written Answers — Vocational Education Committees: Vocational Education Committees (17 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: A statutory inquiry under Section 105 of the Vocational Education Act 1930 is ongoing at the moment. I am not in a position to comment further pending the outcome of that inquiry.