Results 4,061-4,080 of 4,869 for speaker:Seán Haughey

Seanad: Special Educational Needs (2 Jul 2008)

Seán Haughey: I will respond to this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I am pleased to have the opportunity to address this important issue raised by the Senator. I wish to emphasise the Government's continuing commitment to providing a high-quality service to all people with a disability. This commitment is illustrated by the substantial...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (2 Jul 2008)

Seán Haughey: I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the House the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and the current position on the building projects for Coosan national school, Athlone Community College and Ballymahon Community College. Modernising facilities in approximately 3,200 primary and 730 post primary...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (2 Jul 2008)

Seán Haughey: The former Minister for Education and Science announced projects under the school building and modernisation programme earlier this year and most of them are focused on rapidly developing areas. When the new Minister, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe took over he took time to brief himself. I expect further announcements to be made during the year as the financial situation is reviewed in the...

Written Answers — Home-School Liaison Scheme: Home-School Liaison Scheme (1 Jul 2008)

Seán Haughey: At present, a total of 450 local Home, School, Community Liaison (HSCL) co-ordinators provide HSCL services to 691 schools (370 Primary and 281 Post-Primary) throughout Ireland. This number includes 80 posts which were provided in 2006 to extend HSCL services to all schools selected for inclusion in DEIS, the Action Plan for Educational Inclusion, that did not have such services. My...

Child Abuse. (25 Jun 2008)

Seán Haughey: Following the Taoiseach's apology to victims of abuse on 11 May 1999, during which a series of Government measures were announced for the redress of abuse, the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse was formally established in May 2000. The commission is independent in its functions and its operation is governed by the terms of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000 and the...

Literacy Levels. (25 Jun 2008)

Seán Haughey: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. As the Minister of State with responsibility for lifelong learning, I am aware of the importance of adult literacy. The acquisition of adequate literacy skills is necessary for adults to derive benefit from any education or training courses in which they want or need to engage. Adult literacy, in addition to reading and writing, extends...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (25 Jun 2008)

Seán Haughey: The warnings referred to by the Deputy refer to deficiencies in service performance found during in-service checks conducted by school bus inspectors. This is a separate mechanism from the system of random maintenance checks, which themselves are in addition to the statutory Roadworthiness test under the auspices of the Department of Transport. The Roadworthiness Test remains the national...

Written Answers — Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme: Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (25 Jun 2008)

Seán Haughey: The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) is a two-year year second chance education programme for adults unemployed for at least six months and over 21 years of age. Students who had a prior entitlement to certain Social Welfare payments receive a training allowance instead of their Social Welfare payment at a rate equivalent to the maximum rate of unemployment benefit. A person...

Written Answers — Early School Leavers: Early School Leavers (24 Jun 2008)

Seán Haughey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 355 and 356 together. My Department has adopted a broad-based approach to tackling early school-leaving. The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) as the national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework, promoting regular school attendance and tackling the...

Written Answers — Youthreach Programme: Youthreach Programme (24 Jun 2008)

Seán Haughey: There are a total of 12 Youthreach Centres located in County Cork catering for up to 402 learners. 7 of the centres are managed by County Cork VEC and 5 are managed by City of Cork VEC. The locations of the centres are listed below: 1. Ballyellis, Mallow. 2. Colaiste Eoin, Golf Links Road, Youghal. 3. Unit 4/5 Great Island Enterprise Park, Inishmore, Ballincollig. 4. College Road, Fermoy. 5....

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (18 Jun 2008)

Seán Haughey: The case referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, is subject to an appeal by the Independent School Transport Appeals Board. The School Transport Appeals Board will sit on Thursday 19th June 2008. The Family will be advised of the decision thereafter.

Schools Building Projects (17 Jun 2008)

Seán Haughey: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it gives me an opportunity of outlining to this House the Department's position regarding the allocation of funding for Mount Bruis national school, Mount Bruis, County Tipperary. The management authorities of this school applied for and were approved for funding under the 2007 small schools scheme. A grant of €484,000 was sanctioned to enable...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (17 Jun 2008)

Seán Haughey: I would like to advise the Deputy that negotiations with school bus operators regarding school bus contracts are a matter between Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport service on behalf of my Department, and the operators. These negotiations include issues such as motor fuel costs. Given this, it would be inappropriate for my Department to engage directly with school bus operators...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (17 Jun 2008)

Seán Haughey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 700 to 702, inclusive, together. I can assure the Deputy that the safety of children travelling on the school transport service is of paramount importance to my Department and to Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme. In recent years, a range of measures to enhance safety and to improve the quality of the school transport service has been...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (17 Jun 2008)

Seán Haughey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 743, 764 and 765 together. Youthreach is designed to offer two years integrated education, training and work experience for young people aged 15 — 20 who have left school early without achieving qualifications. The programme, which is managed by VECs at local level, is available in 100 centres nationally and caters for almost 3,700 learners. Supports...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (17 Jun 2008)

Seán Haughey: The School Transport Section, of my Department, has requested the Transport Liaison Officer for County Cork to examine the background to the case referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied and to liaise directly with the family concerned.

Leaving Certificate Curriculum. (17 Jun 2008)

Seán Haughey: The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has been established to advise the Department on the curriculum for primary and second level schools. The council has no plans at present to introduce European studies as a subject in the leaving certificate. Civic, social and political education is a mandatory subject for all students in the junior cycle and is an examination subject which...

Higher Education Grants. (17 Jun 2008)

Seán Haughey: I thank the Deputy for giving me an opportunity to outline the Department's position on an application by the student in question for funding under the higher education grant scheme. The Deputy will be aware that the Department funds four maintenance grant schemes for——

Higher Education Grants. (17 Jun 2008)

Seán Haughey: It is important to put everything in context. If the Deputy does not wish me to reply, that is fine.

Higher Education Grants. (17 Jun 2008)

Seán Haughey: Does the Deputy wish me to continue?