Results 3,121-3,140 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (20 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Appointment of Mr. Dermot Murphy and Mr. Michael Shovlin as Special Advisers, together with Mr. Sean Perry as Press Adviser, at my Department is underway in accordance with section 11 of the Public Services Management Act 1997. Each of Mr. Murphy, Mr. Shovlin and Mr. Perry served at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment during the tenure of my appointment as Minister at that...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (20 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 922 and 936 together. When the moratorium was introduced the Government exempted Principal and Deputy Principal appointments in all primary and post-primary schools and these continue to be replaced in the normal manner. The impact of the moratorium is therefore limited to the Assistant Principal and Special Duties allowances payable to teachers on...

Written Answers — School Patronage: School Patronage (20 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The issue of patronage and governance of our primary schools is of significant national importance. Irish society will continue to change at pace over the years to come and our education system must therefore continue to adapt and change to reflect this. I have publicly indicated at the recent INTO conference that I recognise that there is a need to seek the input and views of a wide cross...

Written Answers — Languages Programme: Languages Programme (20 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: There are no plans at present to include Mandarin Chinese as part on the curriculum in second level schools. Overall there are a range of foreign languages available on the curriculum in schools -- French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese and Arabic. A post Primary Languages Initiative is in place since 2000 with the objective of diversifying language provision in schools, focusing...

Written Answers — Schools Recognition: Schools Recognition (20 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: My Department is considering a number of broad policy issues relating to the recognition process for second level schools. It is within this context that the setting up of a framework in relation to the establishment of new second-level schools and their patronage is currently being considered. New schools where only very initial planning has taken place will be considered in the context of...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (20 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 926 to 928, inclusive, 930 and 931 together. I am aware of the recent ASTI report based on responses from 334 teachers of Junior Certificate science. This shows that 14% of schools have dropped a Leaving Certificate science subject from the curriculum this year, and indicates a teacher view that a further 20% are likely to drop a science subject next year. Of...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (20 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: It is intended to provide further funding for ICT infrastructure for schools. €50m capital is available in 2010 for this purpose. I intend to issue a significant portion of this funding in the coming weeks to Post Primary schools which will be asked to prioritise equipment for Project Maths. Schools may spend any remaining balance on other ICT equipment including equipment for science...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (20 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation 2006 to 2013 recommended that the provision of laboratory assistance for schools for science, which had been costed in the 2002 Report of the Task Force on Physical Sciences at €18.8m per annum, should be revisited. Provision of assistants in this area would undoubtedly lead to demands for similar assistance across other areas of the...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (20 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy may be aware that the site in Balbriggan to which he refers, was acquired by my Department under the Fingal Model Agreement. The master plan for this site is for two 16 classroom schools. In addition an enhanced community facility will be provided as part of the Phase II development and will be co-financed by Fingal County Council. Officials from my Department met with the school...

Written Answers — School Services Staff: School Services Staff (20 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Circular 0023/2009 outlines the impact on community and comprehensive schools of the Government decision to implement a recruitment and promotion moratorium in the public sector. As the Deputy will be aware, positions other than teacher and Special Needs Assistant posts in schools and VECs, including the temporary caretaking and cleaning posts referred to by the Deputy, are comprehended by...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (20 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy will be aware, on 16 February my predecessor announced details of 51 major school building projects that will appoint design teams this year. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the project for the school in question was included in this announcement and is expected to have a Design Team appointed later this year. My Department will contact the school regarding the procedure...

Written Answers — Schools Records: Schools Records (20 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The roll books of a school constitute the school's official record of pupil enrolment, attendances and absences and must at all times be properly and accurately maintained. The roll books provide the basis of important official returns to my Department upon which staffing and funding provisions are determined. Accordingly, it is open to my Department to conduct an inspection of the roll...

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (20 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for preparation of examination papers, examination materials and operational matters relating to the certificate examinations including organising the holding of examinations and determining procedures in places where examinations are conducted including the supervision of examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (20 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I am please to inform the Deputy that the requested information will be forwarded to him within the next few days.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (20 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The project to which the Deputy refers has been tendered and my Department is awaiting receipt of the tender report. When the tender report is received and assuming that there are no issues arising, the project will progress to construction.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (20 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently out to tender. When the tender report is received and assuming that there are no issues arising, the project will progress to construction.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (20 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the completion contractor for the project to which he refers, commenced on site on the 1st of April. It is envisaged that the construction work will be completed by the end of the year.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (20 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The number of contractors who expressed an interest in the building project for the school to which the Deputy refers, was 49. It is envisaged that the project will progress to tender in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (20 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: On 6 February last, the then Minister for Education and Science announced details of the Department's Capital Programme for 2010. It was not possible to include a project for the school to which the Deputy refers in that announcement. The project will be considered for inclusion in subsequent Capital Programmes. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (20 Apr 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Information in relation to class sizes is provided in the annual census of primary schools. The census for the current school year (2009/2010) is being finalised at present.