Results 2,961-2,980 of 4,869 for speaker:Seán Haughey

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (29 Sep 2010)

Seán Haughey: Following an internal audit report, which found irregularities in the delivery of its contracted training FÁS has been reviewing the training that it contracts for the unemployed. A number of issues of concern have arisen and FÁS is dealing with them in order to ensure that learners get the training and certification that they deserve while minimising the costs to the agency. FÁS has...

Written Answers — Numeracy Levels: Numeracy Levels (29 Sep 2010)

Seán Haughey: I am very aware of the challenges we face in dealing with the kinds of basic skills needs which were identified in the NALA survey referred to by the Deputy. The provision of numeracy to children and adults is already a key feature of measures to address educational disadvantage and it also forms a key element of second chance and further education and training programmes, especially for...

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (29 Sep 2010)

Seán Haughey: The Higher Education Authority (HEA) review of the use of the student service charge by HEA institutions has now been completed and a report has been submitted to me. The report covers income and expenditure associated with the charge, internal allocation processes for same, arrangements for accounting for the charge additional charges that are levied on students outside the charge....

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (29 Sep 2010)

Seán Haughey: On 23 March, 2010, the Taoiseach announced to the Dáil a number of Ministerial and Departmental changes designed to ensure closer alignment of the Government's economic objectives to the administrative functions of its departments and agencies. As part of these changes the Employment Programmes and Services and Skills Training (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (29 Sep 2010)

Seán Haughey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 126 together. The process of paying third level or further education grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC. The timing of payment varies between the 66 awarding bodies depending on a number of variables including the volume of applications received, staffing resources and whether or not properly completed application forms have...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (29 Sep 2010)

Seán Haughey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 131 together. The Government will consider all proposals relating to public expenditure in the context of the forthcoming Budget. The Government has already made it clear in this regard that difficult decisions will be necessary across the broad spectrum of expenditure in order to secure the significant level of savings required. The components of...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (29 Sep 2010)

Seán Haughey: The Statistics Section of my Department's website contains information relating to class size in primary schools for the 2009-2010 school year. The information includes the number of pupils in each class and the number of pupils in each class size range. The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on my Department's website. In terms of the position at...

Written Answers — Further Education: Further Education (29 Sep 2010)

Seán Haughey: For the 2009/2010 academic year the number of approved PLC places available nationwide was increased by 1,500 to 31,688 and this level of provision is being maintained for the current academic year (2010/2011). In 2009/2010, VECs enrolled over 38,600 learners which is a commendable achievement and one which I hope can be maintained for the current academic year. The overall number of...

Written Answers — Early School Leavers: Early School Leavers (29 Sep 2010)

Seán Haughey: My Department has adopted a broad-based approach to tackling early school leaving. Enhancing attendance, progression, retention and attainment are central elements of DEIS, the Action Plan for Educational Inclusion. The DEIS plan was launched in 2005 and currently includes some 879 Schools serving the most disadvantaged communities in the Country. The School Completion Programme (SCP) is an...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (29 Sep 2010)

Seán Haughey: As the Deputy is aware, School Transport was approved by Government as a topic for inclusion as part of the 2009-2011 round of Value for Money Reviews. This review looked at the original objectives of the scheme, whether these objectives remain valid today, the extent to which the objectives are being achieved, and whether there are possibilities for economies or efficiencies that would...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (29 Sep 2010)

Seán Haughey: The aim of the Community Employment Programme (CE) remains as an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression into employment and/or further education and training. The programme is managed within this context, with consideration to the availability of resources and the needs of participants and the community. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (29 Sep 2010)

Seán Haughey: In last year's Supplementary Budget, the Work Placement Programme was announced. This Programme was launched in May 2009 and it provides up to 9 months work experience for unemployed individuals, including graduates. The Programme is open to all sectors of the economy, including the private and public sectors, as well as the community and voluntary sectors. While the programme is...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (29 Sep 2010)

Seán Haughey: Following a review of how FÁS might better support those in receipt of One Parent Family payments, barriers to employment were identified in a number of areas. In addition, a FÁS internal cross-divisional review group in 2008 determined that persons in receipt of a One Parent Family Payment should be able to access FÁS services in a seamless way so that they can avail of access,...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (29 Sep 2010)

Seán Haughey: The Work Placement Programme provides up to 9 months work experience to unemployed individuals, including graduates. The Programme is open to all sectors of the economy, including the private and public sectors, as well as the community and voluntary sectors. The programme is voluntary and unpaid, while participants on the programme may be able retain their existing social welfare...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (29 Sep 2010)

Seán Haughey: The Job Initiative (JI) programme was launched in July 1996 and continues to provide full-time employment for people who are 35 years of age or over, who were unemployed for five years or more, and in receipt of social welfare payments over that qualifying period before entering the programme. The main purpose of JI is to assist long-term unemployed people to prepare for work...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (29 Sep 2010)

Seán Haughey: The last review of the Community Employment programme was carried out by Forfás in early 2009 as part of a wider review of Labour Market Programmes. The Forfás report, entitled A Review of Labour Market Programmes, was published in February, 2010. On 23 March, 2010, the Taoiseach announced to the Dáil a number of Ministerial and Departmental changes designed to ensure closer...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (29 Sep 2010)

Seán Haughey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 175 together. FÁS has met with all parties concerned including RACE, Horse Racing Ireland and the local VEC. As a result of the discussions, agreement has been reached to enable delivery of the training course in question which I understand will commence very shortly. Agreement was also reached by all parties on the need to carry out a full...

Written Answers — European Globalisation Fund: European Globalisation Fund (29 Sep 2010)

Seán Haughey: On 22nd September 2010 the European Commission announced its approval of an application from Ireland for European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) co-financing assistance in support of redundant workers formerly employed at the S R Technics aircraft maintenance facility at Dublin airport. The EGF application is for a total of €11.46m of which the EU contribution sought is €7.45m....

Written Answers — European Globalisation Fund: European Globalisation Fund (29 Sep 2010)

Seán Haughey: The formal decision of the European budgetary authorities stipulates that the financial contribution from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund approved in support of redundant workers at the Dell plant in Raheen, Co. Limerick and ancillary enterprises must be spent before 29th June 2011. The Fund, including national contributions, may finance measures put in place to assist eligible...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (29 Sep 2010)

Seán Haughey: As of 27th September 2010 there are 4,676 people registered as lone parents on Community Employment (CE) schemes. Since it is not relevant to their CE participation, FÁS does not record information concerning participants in receipt of a Medical Card.