Results 2,801-2,820 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

School Curriculum (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The heads of the universities are acutely aware of my opinions and those of the Government. They are also aware of the task force's recommendations. Of significant importance is that, in trying to achieve what we want and what we have been told by industry, we must have a greater acumen in mathematics and incentivise those who wish to take honours mathematics. By their nature, young people...

School Curriculum (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I am not.

School Curriculum (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Cabinet has discussed economic renewal. As Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment at the time, I expressed the view that we need to incentivise mathematics and that the best way to do so was through the awarding of bonus points.

School Curriculum (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: He may have done so. However, the position now is that I, as Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, am of the view that we should incentivise mathematics. It is my intention to pursue this matter vigorously.

School Curriculum (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I had only been the Department of Education and Skills for two or three days when I wrote to the heads of the relevant universities and institutes of technology in order to express my views. As a result, are now acutely aware of the nature of those views.

School Curriculum (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: It is my intention to implement this as a matter of urgency in order that young people will have time in which to make their decisions.

Departmental Agencies (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Taoiseach, when nominating new members of the Government on 23 March last, indicated to Dáil Eireann his intention to make a number of changes in the structure of ministerial responsibilities and Departments in the interest of the better alignment of functions. Those changes included a transfer of certain responsibilities from the then Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment,...

Departmental Agencies (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Yes.

Departmental Agencies (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I do not agree. While I have had my challenges with FÁS, we made a good appointment in respect of the new board, whose members I believe have plenty of drive, energy and enthusiasm. Moreover, there will be greater synergies between FÁS and the skills portfolio in respect of further education, PLCs and so on with the Minister of State responsible. It will bring better synergies and will...

Pupil-Teacher Ratios (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: My Department publishes extensive statistical information on its website, including figures in respect of pupil-teacher ratios, PTRs. The most recently published figures relate to the 2008-09 school year and show that the pupil-teacher ratio was an average of one teacher for every 15.9 pupils at primary level and one teacher for every 13 pupils at post-primary level. The corresponding...

Pupil-Teacher Ratios (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy is correct. The PTR calculation is the total enrolment in the number of teaching posts as of 30 June. Consequently, one must wait until 30 June before this work is completed. It is then-----

Pupil-Teacher Ratios (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Yes, that is the system and it is expected to be ready for publication in September.

Pupil-Teacher Ratios (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Yes. As for the issue regarding the number of classes, the pupil-teacher ratio is what is set down. The management of the number of children within their class is a matter for the local management and a number of class sizes can be greater than 28, for example, because of local decisions that are made when people wish to avoid having different numbers of classes within the same room, etc....

Pupil-Teacher Ratios (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: While the numbers are increasing, the Government is in a position, through the setting aside of the moratorium, to allow those appointments to be made, as well as 500 additional appointments.

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 2 and 4 together. I agree that the issue of patronage and governance of our primary schools is important. In recent times the rapid pace of social and demographic change is reflected in a radically altered and more diverse society from which our school communities are drawn. Irish society will continue to change at pace in the years to come and our...

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: It is not my intention to establish a forum at this moment in time.

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: On the issue of patronage, as the Deputy knows diversity can be addressed much more quickly, particularly in areas where we have greater growth.

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I am a great believer in a number of other things about which many people forget, which is that I would like to hear what the Members of this House have to say.

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: It would be very appropriate because we would have a diversity of views in this House on what should happen. Once the ten areas have been designated, I intend to meet the representatives of the Catholic Church. I believe the procedures must include not just patrons. As I have said, I believe in the representation of the Oireachtas Members.

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I also believe that parents and the wider community-----