Results 2,561-2,580 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (18 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The general allocation model was introduced in primary schools in September 2005 to ensure that each school has learning support/resource teaching support available to meet the needs of children with high incidence special educational needs. The allocation system under the general allocation model was linked to the school's enrolment in 2005 and it was decided not to review this aspect until...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (18 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Work Placement Programme provides up to 9 months work experience for 2,000 unemployed individuals. The fact that a person is participating in the Programme does not in itself affect their social welfare entitlements.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (18 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The details requested by the Deputy are set out in the following table. The issue of the duration of the staffing moratorium with regard to those agencies under the aegis of my Department is being addressed in the context of the employment control frameworks being put in place across the public service. Agency Name WTE No's WTE No's Comment End 2008 Qtr 1 2010 Commission to Inquire into...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (18 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 514 and 513 together. Public service pay is a huge element of public expenditure and the total bill is determined by the number of public servants and the pay rates payable to them. The moratorium which was introduced in March 2009 is a key control measure aimed at reducing the number of public servants. The duration of the moratorium will be a matter for...

Written Answers — Third Level Staff: Third Level Staff (18 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 515 and 516 together. The total number of whole time equivalent staff employed in third level institutions at 31 December, 2008 was 21,149. It is estimated that at 31 March, 2010 the number employed was 20084 whole time equivalents. Disaggregated data on the number of lecturers that are included in these figures are not available in my Department. However the...

Written Answers — School Closures: School Closures (18 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Officials in my Department have had a series of meetings with the Trustees of the school to which the Deputy refers. The Trustees expressed some concern about the future of the school and it is my understanding that they are considering a number of options in this regard. The Department understands that the Trustees have met with the Board of Management, staff and representatives of parents...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (18 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: All schools with permanent recognition from my Department and in non-rented accommodation were eligible to apply to my Department for funding under the Summer Works Scheme for 2010. In my announcement of 19 April last, 1490 successful applicants under the scheme were announced. This included 19 fee-charging schools. This represents less than 1.3% of the total number of successful applicants....

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (18 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy will be aware, schools were invited to apply for funding for water conservation measures as part of the Summer Works Scheme for 2010. Some 2,300 applications, in total, were received under the Scheme. I announced details of the 1,490 successful applicants under the mainstream Summer Works Scheme on 19 April last. It is intended that the applications for water conservation...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (18 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: My officials are currently making arrangements for the issue of more than 100,000 income levy certificates to teaching and non-teaching staff - both serving and retired who are paid through my Department's centralised payroll system. I understand that the certificates are issuing on a phased basis over the next week.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (18 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Financial assistance is available to students under the maintenance grant schemes, which are administered by the local authorities and Vocational Education Committees on behalf of my Department. Students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic...

Written Answers — An Ghaeilge san Ardteist: An Ghaeilge san Ardteist (18 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Tá fúm ceisteanna 522, 523 and 524 a thógáil le chéile. Deonaítear díolúintíó staidéar na Gaeilge mar ábhar de réir forálacha Chiorclán M10/94, do mhic léinn mar seo a leanas: mic léinn a fuair a gcuid bunoideachais i dTuaisceart Éireann nó lasmuigh d'Éirinn suas go dtí aois a 11 bhliain mic léinn a bhí ar an rolla cheana mar mhic léinn aitheanta agus atáá gcur ar...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (18 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has recently received correspondence from County Louth VEC in relation to the provision of a new post-leaving certificate college building in Drogheda. This proposal is currently under consideration in my Department as part of the overall approach to the provision of education infrastructure in Drogheda.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (18 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy will 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. A small number of schools remain to be reviewed and the NCSE has indicated that these will be reviewed by the end of the current academic year. A final breakdown of...

Order of Business. (18 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: This issue is far too serious for the political castigations sent across the floor of the House. In my view - this is a personal view - any referendum on children's rights should be, given its importance, held on its own.

Order of Business. (18 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: We will have it.

Order of Business. (18 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The constitutional review group recommended a wording in 1996, when the Deputy's party was in Government. This is so important we must get it right. A huge amount of work has been done by the all-party committee. I have stated publicly that the Government congratulates it on its work. A number of Departments under the auspices of the Minister of State are working on this matter. In the...

Order of Business. (18 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: They are being recruited.

Order of Business. (18 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: That recruitment is currently taking place. Finance to allow this to happen has been provided to the Minister of State. Members will note from the amendment that a number of issues raised by the Opposition in the context of its proposals were accepted by Government. There is clearly an acceptance that the Government will hold a referendum. The issue yet to be decided is the timeframe and...

Order of Business. (18 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: It should be separated on the basis that people have time to adjudicate and evaluate the necessity of such a referendum.

Order of Business. (18 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Níl sé socraithe ag an Rialtas - sin an méid.