Results 3,121-3,140 of 4,869 for speaker:Seán Haughey

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (6 May 2010)

Seán Haughey: Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme, a pupil with special needs will be eligible for school transport if s/he is attending the nearest recognised special class/special school or a recognised unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education and Science criteria. The purpose of the School Transport Scheme for...

School Utility Services (6 May 2010)

Seán Haughey: Schools, like all other users, are required to pay for a range of utilities such as electricity, water and telecoms, and gas is but one of these. It is important the pricing structures for any of the utilities as they apply to schools should be determined on a transparent and fair basis. Responsibility for the regulation of the natural gas market is a matter for the Commission for Energy...

School Utility Services (6 May 2010)

Seán Haughey: The Deputy appreciates that these are matters for the Commission for Energy Regulation.

School Utility Services (6 May 2010)

Seán Haughey: I reiterate that the tariffs are based on consumption.

School Utility Services (6 May 2010)

Seán Haughey: The Department has gone to the energy regulator to raise these issues and it will continue to pursue them with the regulator. We are introducing a number of initiatives to reduce the level of gas consumption in schools and keep costs down in general.

School Utility Services (6 May 2010)

Seán Haughey: The Department, the Tánaiste, who is sitting beside me, and I would be in agreement with the thrust of the Deputy's points. We are trying to encourage a more collaborative approach to the procurement of goods and services within the school and VEC sectors. The Department would encourage schools to come together in terms of procurement and the issues raised by the Deputy. We will continue...

School Utility Services (6 May 2010)

Seán Haughey: We will look into it and determine what is the best way to encourage schools to take up this option.

School Utility Services (6 May 2010)

Seán Haughey: The meeting occurred during my predecessor's term of office, but I can get the Deputy the date. The regulator is independent and the Department is pursuing these issues with him.

School Utility Services (6 May 2010)

Seán Haughey: Yes. We are encouraging the approach raised by the Deputies and we will pursue the matter further.

Institutes of Technology (6 May 2010)

Seán Haughey: The proposals contained in the strategic plan for the Grangegorman site involve major capital expenditure which requires careful and detailed assessment by my Department and the other Departments involved in the project. This assessment is nearing completion. When it is completed, it is intended to bring the proposals contained in the plan to Government for consideration. The Grangegorman...

Institutes of Technology (6 May 2010)

Seán Haughey: The assessment being carried out by the Department is nearing completion. When it is complete, it is intended to bring the proposals that will emerge to Government for consideration. The Tánaiste intends to bring this matter to the Government in the near future. I appreciate the Deputy's interest in this matter. As a Deputy who also represents a Dublin constituency, I have visited the...

Institutes of Technology (6 May 2010)

Seán Haughey: The Government would have been irresponsible if it had not taken account of the changed economic circumstances that have obtained during the past two years. As already stated, the revised plan takes account of the reduced prices that have materialised in the construction sector. It also revises the estimated value of the DIT's property portfolio to reflect current market trends....

Institutes of Technology (6 May 2010)

Seán Haughey: A procedure is in place in respect of the preparation of the strategic development zone. Work on the planning scheme relating to the strategic development zone has been progressed by the agency. I note the Deputy's comments in that regard. There is no doubt that this is a major revitalisation project for the part of Dublin city to which it relates.

School Curriculum (6 May 2010)

Seán Haughey: My Department's records indicate that 53 post-primary schools discontinued a science subject in the 2009-10 school year, while ten schools-----

School Curriculum (6 May 2010)

Seán Haughey: The Tánaiste will be here presently.

School Curriculum (6 May 2010)

Seán Haughey: My Department's records indicate that 53 post-primary schools discontinued a science subject in the 2009-10 school year, while ten schools introduced a new science subject to their curriculum in the same year. It should be noted that changes by individual schools in the range of subjects they offer is a regular occurrence. The data for schools discontinuing a science subject in the 2007-08...

School Curriculum (6 May 2010)

Seán Haughey: The Government's policy on the smart economy and science, technology and innovation is being implemented by all Departments. We have the discover science and engineering programme from Forfás and the strategy for science technology and innovation etc. Therefore, I am sure what the Tánaiste said then is relevant now in the Department of Education and Skills. As mentioned, the data with...

School Curriculum (6 May 2010)

Seán Haughey: I am aware of the recent ASTI survey, based on responses from 334 teachers of junior certificate science, which indicates that 14% of schools have dropped a leaving certificate science subject from the curriculum this year and which indicates the teachers' view that a further 20% of schools are likely to drop a science subject this year. The issues around subject choice, including science,...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (5 May 2010)

Seán Haughey: Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme, a pupil with special needs will be eligible for school transport if s/he is attending the nearest recognised mainstream school, special class, special school or unit that is, or can be resourced to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education and Skills criteria. The purpose of the School Transport Scheme...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (5 May 2010)

Seán Haughey: The Deputy is aware that a new annual school transport charge, which replaced the term charges, was introduced for the 2009/10 school year. The revised charges have been confined to eligible post-primary children and primary and post primary children availing of concessionary transport. Charges continue to be waived in the case of eligible post-primary children where the family is in...