Results 1,961-1,980 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (26 Apr 2005)

Mary Hanafin: One of the schools to which the Deputy refers is currently included in the Giving Children an Even Break, GCEB, programme and is in receipt of financial support under this scheme. Both schools are included in the school completion programme, which is my Department's main programme for tackling early school leaving. The school completion programme is based on an integrated cross community...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (26 Apr 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Social, personal and health education, SPHE, is a mandatory part of the curriculum in junior cycle in all post-primary schools with effect from September 2003. The curriculum is designed to promote personal development and the health and well-being of students, help them create supportive relationships and encourage the values and skills for responsible decision making. Issues regarding...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (26 Apr 2005)

Mary Hanafin: My Department is examining the overall provision of all-Irish post-primary education in the general north Dublin city area. The outcome of this examination will determine the long-term accommodation options for the school referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Literacy Levels: Literacy Levels (26 Apr 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The report of the inspectorate of my Department of a thematic evaluation of literacy and numeracy in disadvantaged schools will be published shortly and details on its findings will be given at that point. I have expressed my commitment to prioritising support for children with literacy and numeracy difficulties on a number of occasions as I know that the attainment of proficiency in reading...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (26 Apr 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 142 together. The recent report of the Irish Language Commissioner highlighted the fact that despite appreciable time devoted to Irish in the school system, many students emerge from primary and post-primary education without achieving a reasonable command of the language. Particular concerns were raised about students' command of the spoken language....

Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Scheme: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (26 Apr 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I welcome the publication of report of the Committee of Public Accounts and I have asked my Department to give due consideration to its findings and recommendations, particularly in terms of their relevance to and implications for the management of major policy issues within the Department. I was pleased to note that the report acknowledges that, in establishing the redress board and...

Written Answers — Psychological Service: Psychological Service (26 Apr 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The complement of psychologists in NEPS has increased from 43 psychologists, 30 in permanent full-time posts and 13 on secondment, on the date of establishment in September 1999 to 128 in January 2005, plus two psychologists on career break. Recruitment of psychologists to NEPS has, until recently, been undertaken by the Civil Service and Local Government Commissioners. The last Civil Service...

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (26 Apr 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I am aware of the call for the abolition of the examination fee. However, examination entry fees are in existence to defray in part the costs of running the certificate examinations. Examination entry fees cover only part of the costs involved. Candidates who hold a current medical card or are dependent on a parent or guardian who is the holder of a current medical card are not liable for...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (26 Apr 2005)

Mary Hanafin: My Department is considering the results of recent revisions to projections of future enrolment in the light of demographic and social changes as well as the publication by the CSO of new population projections in December 2004. Uncertainties arise in regard to future migration trends, participation at various levels of education and long-term trends in births. Nevertheless, it is important...

Written Answers — Interculturalism in Schools: Interculturalism in Schools (26 Apr 2005)

Mary Hanafin: My Department has been active for a number of years in promoting interculturalism in schools. A range of actions are in place to support the participation of minority groups and Travellers in education. These include information for schools on the integration of asylum seekers and Travellers; additional resources for schools to support the needs of students for whom English is not the mother...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (26 Apr 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 151 together. I have indicated my concern to the Minister, Deputy McDowell, that in applying the immigration laws the Garda authorities should have regard to the sensitivities of the school environment, particularly where children are involved. The Minister has already informed the House in a written reply to a parliamentary question on 12 April 2005...

Written Answers — Institutes of Technology: Institutes of Technology (26 Apr 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The Government recently approved the early drafting of legislation to transfer responsibility for the daily management of the institutes of technology sector from the Department of Education and Science to a reconstituted Higher Education Authority. My Department is preparing amending legislation to give effect to the Government decision.

Written Answers — Teacher Training: Teacher Training (26 Apr 2005)

Mary Hanafin: My Department specifies the minimum academic requirements for entry to primary teacher training courses provided in the colleges of education. As part of these requirements, all candidates, including school leavers, mature students and university graduates, must have a minimum of a grade C at higher level in Irish in the leaving certificate or an approved equivalent. This requirement embodies...

Written Answers — Educational Welfare Service: Educational Welfare Service (26 Apr 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The Education (Welfare) Act 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the board are to ensure that each child attends a recognised school...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (26 Apr 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which was revised following consultation with the education partners. The proposed project at the school referred to will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2005-2009.

Written Answers — Health and Safety Inspections: Health and Safety Inspections (26 Apr 2005)

Mary Hanafin: In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, it is the responsibility of school management authorities to have a safety statement in place in their schools. Schools are obliged to identify possible hazards, assess the risks to health and safety and to put appropriate safeguards in place. It is open to school management authorities or individuals to make direct contact...

Written Answers — Academic Accreditation: Academic Accreditation (26 Apr 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I am aware of the recent Oireachtas joint committee report on volunteers and volunteering in Ireland which recommends that academic accreditation for long-term volunteers in social and paramedical work should be advanced. In keeping with the terms of the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act 1999, the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, NQAI, and the Further and Higher...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (26 Apr 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The system for allocating teachers to primary schools is based on ensuring an overall maximum class of 29 in each school. Where some classes in a school have class sizes of greater than 29, it is generally because a decision has been taken at local level to use the teaching resources to have smaller numbers in other classes. Significant improvements have been made in this area in recent...

Written Answers — Literacy Levels: Literacy Levels (26 Apr 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The Department does not collect data on the literacy levels achieved by children leaving the primary system. The nearest points of reference available are the results of a survey of primary school children at the end of fifth class and the results of the OECD programme for international student assessment, PISA. Data currently available for fifth class children relate to the 1998 survey and...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (26 Apr 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 147 together. The system for allocating teachers to primary schools is based on ensuring an overall maximum class of 29 in each school. Where some classes in a school have class sizes of greater than 29, it is generally because a decision has been taken at local level to use the teaching resources to have smaller numbers in other classes. Significant...