Results 3,301-3,320 of 4,869 for speaker:Seán Haughey

Seanad: Tourism Promotion (27 Jan 2010)

Seán Haughey: I do not have that information to hand. In fact, I do not have details of the communication that occurred today-----

Seanad: Tourism Promotion (27 Jan 2010)

Seán Haughey: -----which I presume would enlighten us further. However, I will endeavour to provide the information to the Senator through the Minister's office.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (27 Jan 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 is looking 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 — Youthreach Programme: Youthreach Programme (26 Jan 2010)

Seán Haughey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 603 and 604 together. The information requested by the Deputy is included in the table below, which shows the number of Youthreach and Vocational Training Opportunity Scheme (VTOS) places approved for 2009/2010, broken down by county. Number of Youthreach and VTOS places allocated on a county basis County Youthreach VTOS Carlow 25 75 Cavan 105 40...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (26 Jan 2010)

Seán Haughey: The family of the pupil referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied has and continues to be in receipt of a grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements from their home to the school concerned.

Seanad: Banking Sector: Statements (26 Jan 2010)

Seán Haughey: I thank Senators for their considered and useful contributions to this issue. I will attempt to respond to as many as possible of the points raised by Senators in the time available to me. As Members know, last week the Minister for Finance announced the Government's decision to set up two reviews and a statutory commission of inquiry to complete an expert, authoritative and structured...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (20 Jan 2010)

Seán Haughey: I should remind the Deputy that parents have the option of spreading the annual payment over two instalments payable in July and December. The introduction of the annual charge which replaced the term payment system enabled Bus Éireann to streamline the payments system and the allocation of tickets. It also ensures that route planning and seating arrangements are managed in a more efficient...

Written Answers — Schools Amalgamation: Schools Amalgamation (19 Jan 2010)

Seán Haughey: My Department is currently examining the background to the case referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied. I should say, however, that the Value for Money Review of the School Transport Scheme is nearing completion. The Steering Committee is looking at the original objectives and aspects of the scheme, including the 'closed school rule', whether these objectives remain valid today,...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (19 Jan 2010)

Seán Haughey: Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme, pupils who reside 3.2 kilometres or more from, and are attending, their nearest national school as determined by my Department, are eligible for free school transport. The position in this case is that the child referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, is not attending his nearest national school and, therefore, is...

Written Answers — Education Welfare Service: Education Welfare Service (19 Jan 2010)

Seán Haughey: The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) was established under The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 as the statutory body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework which promotes regular school attendance and tackles the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the Board are to ensure that every child attends a...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (19 Jan 2010)

Seán Haughey: My Department has consulted with Bus Éireann which is responsible for the operation of the school transport scheme. Bus Éireann is satisfied, in so far as possible, that the pick up point is safe. I should also say that it is the responsibility of parents to ensure that their children are brought to and collected from bus pick up points. The children referred to by the Department will...

Written Answers — Early School Leavers: Early School Leavers (19 Jan 2010)

Seán Haughey: The latest Retention Report published by the Department of Education and Science provides data on the cohort of pupils who entered the first year of the junior cycle in 2000 and 2001 most of whom completed their senior cycle five to six years following the year of intake. This is the fourth such report tracking pupil retention and the trend is showing yearly improvements in retention rates -...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (19 Jan 2010)

Seán Haughey: My Department does not provide funding for bus shelters. The provision of bus shelters is a matter for the relevant Local Authority.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (19 Jan 2010)

Seán Haughey: The net value of payments made to Bus Éireann for the operation of the school transport scheme, after the deduction of receipts from fare-paying passengers, for the years in question are as follows: 2000 €60.157 million 2001 €70.928 m 2002 €88.739 m 2003 €92.520 m 2004 €94.664 m 2005 €106.005 m 2006 €126.226 m 2007 €146.620 m 2008 €162.793 m I understand from Bus Éireann...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Status: Disadvantaged Status (17 Dec 2009)

Seán Haughey: My Department's policy is to support the inclusive education of students with special educational needs across the schools system. In this context, a range of supports are provided to schools to enable them to cater for pupils with special educational needs. The supports available include additional teaching support, special needs assistant support, school transport and grants for the...

Written Answers — Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme: Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (16 Dec 2009)

Seán Haughey: Allowances for participants in the Vocational Training Opportunity Scheme (VTOS) will be reduced in line with Social Welfare rates. Allowances for participants in Youthreach and Senior Traveller Training Centres (STTCs) will be reduced in line with FÁS trainee allowances. Formal confirmation of the revised rates of allowances has been sought from the Department of Social and Family Affairs...

Written Answers — Youthreach Programme: Youthreach Programme (16 Dec 2009)

Seán Haughey: My Department provides funding for 160 places on the Youthreach programme and for 180 places on the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme in County Donegal.

Written Answers — Youthreach Programme: Youthreach Programme (16 Dec 2009)

Seán Haughey: In County Louth, my Department funds 90 places on the Youthreach programme and 110 places on the Vocational Training Opportunity Scheme (VTOS). In County Monaghan, my Department funds 70 places on the Youthreach programme and 40 places on VTOS. In County Cavan, my Department funds 105 places on the Youthreach programme and 40 places on VTOS.

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Status: Disadvantaged Status (16 Dec 2009)

Seán Haughey: DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and an integrated School Support Programme (SSP). The process of identifying schools for participation in DEIS, was managed by the Educational Research Centre (ERC) on behalf of my Department and supported by quality assurance work co-ordinated through the...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (10 Dec 2009)

Seán Haughey: Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Scheme, on behalf of my Department, are responsible for the day to day operation of services including the designation of pick up and set down points. Bus Eireann has advised that the designated pick up point in this case is considered to be as safe as other pick-up points being used by pupils travelling under the School Transport Scheme...