Results 3,241-3,260 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (30 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy will be aware that each local authority sets its own water rates. Under the Water Framework Directive, the payment of water charges is required with effect from 1 January 2010. The legal advice available to the Government is that schools, like other non-domestic water services users, must pay the full cost of water services used on a metered basis. While no specific concessions are...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Status: Disadvantaged Status (30 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Under the terms of the DEIS Action Plan, a commitment was made to extend the Junior Certificate School Programme (JCSP) Demonstration Library Project to the 50 School Support Programme (SSP) schools with the highest concentrations of disadvantage over the five years to 2010, with extension to further SSP schools to be considered subsequently. To date, the Project has been extended to 20 of...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Status: Disadvantaged Status (30 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Due to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (30 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Special fees for repeat candidates were introduced in 1987 on the basis that it is not unreasonable to expect those who have already benefited from the normal course of second level education, and who wish to take an extra year, to make a contribution towards the cost of providing the necessary resources. A course fee is also payable in respect of such candidates. Examination fees generally...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (30 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Final tenders for the second bundle of Primary/Post Primary schools consisting of six schools including the school referred to by the Deputy were received by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) on the 1st July 2009 and following evaluation, Macquarie Partnerships for Ireland (MPFI) were appointed preferred tenderer in early October 2009. Planning applications were submitted by MPFI...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (30 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Due to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to give full details of the project for the school referred to by the Deputy. The project is currently progressing through the stages of architectural planning. However, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the commencement of construction at this time.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (30 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Due to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to give the full details sought by the Deputy. The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme. However, in view of the level of demand...

Written Answers — Cycle to Work Scheme: Cycle to Work Scheme (30 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Cycle to Work Scheme was introduced for teachers in September 2009 when the terms of the scheme were outlined in Circular 54/2009. The Circular provides that applications for the scheme are to be forwarded to my Department not later than the 15th December. The deductions from salary are made during the following calendar year as outlined in the Circular. Therefore in 2009 all teachers...

Written Answers — Aitheantas Scoileanna: Aitheantas Scoileanna (30 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Tógfaigh mé Ceisteanna 423 agus 438 le chéile. Tá ról maighdeogach le himirt ag an mbunscolaíocht i gcaomhnú agus i leathnú na céad teanga oifigiúla. Bhí cur chun cinn na Gaeilge ina haidhm mhór ariamh ag Rialtais na hÉireann i ndiaidh a chéile agus cosnaíodh i gcónaí a hionad sa chóras oideachais. Comhartha air seo an chaoi inar aithníodh líon suntasach Gaelscoileanna...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (30 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) provides funding to both further and higher education institutions for the provision of services and supports for full-time students with disabilities. In recent years, the demand for the fund has grown considerably. Provisional data for 2009-10 suggests that between 2008/09 and 2009/10 there has been an increase of 34% in applications approved...

Written Answers — Further Education: Further Education (30 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Generally the continuing professional development supports under the remit of Teacher Education Section, including the Special Education Support Service and the Second Level Support Service, are targeted at qualified teachers working in primary or second level schools, as relevant. Where Further Education Colleges are providers of second level curricula, qualified teachers are also eligible...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (30 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: There is an extensive amount of statistical information for recent years on my Department's website in relation to primary schools, including the enrolment for all primary schools for the school years 2006/07 to 2008/09. The level of detail sought by the Deputy would take some time to collate within my Department. My Department's Teacher Allocation Section is currently focused on the initial...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (30 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Due to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to give full details of the project for the school referred to by the Deputy. The school was approved a grant for a temporary classroom last year and it is open to the school authority to make a further application to the Department should they have additional accommodation...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (30 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Due to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to give full details of the project for the school referred to by the Deputy. The timetable for the Summer Works Scheme 2010 has been published as part of the governing Circular Letter for the Scheme. This Circular Letter (0057/2009) is available on my Department's website...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (30 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: My Department is currently reviewing its policy relating to school leaving age with a view to developing a consistent approach for all students whether they are attending a mainstream post primary school or special school. Pending the conclusion of this policy review, I am pleased to confirm for the Deputy that my Department will advise special schools that they may retain students over 18...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (30 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The issues raised by the Deputy relate to the passage of the Student Support Bill and changes in rates and eligibility under the student grant schemes announced in Budget 2010. The Deputy will be aware that a number of amendments to the Student Support Bill in relation to legal and policy issues which have arisen since Second Stage are being advanced by my Department in close consultation...

Written Answers — Schools of Music: Schools of Music (30 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Royal Irish Academy of Music is in discussions with my Department concerning the arrangements to be applied to the appointment of a new Director on the expiration of the current Director's contract on 31 August next. Any such appointment must be made in accordance with the terms of the revised employment control framework (ECF). It is envisaged that early agreement will be reached...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (30 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Students currently in receipt of the BTEA or VTOS allowances and the maintenance grant will continue to be eligible for both payments for the duration of their current course provided they continue to meet the terms and conditions of the relevant grant schemes. Students progressing to a new course with effect from 2010/11 will no longer be eligible for student maintenance grants but can...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (30 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Forward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the...

Written Answers — Research Funding: Research Funding (30 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Taoiseach announced the transfer of the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions from my Department to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment last week. Discussions are ongoing between my Department and the Departments of Finance and Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to the arrangements for this transfer. It is intended that the transfer will be concluded...