Results 4,101-4,120 of 4,869 for speaker:Seán Haughey

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: All programme for Government commitments to improve public services, including those relating to class size, are contingent on the economic and budgetary environment and on the need for prudent expenditure and fiscal management. This was pointed out at the time of the general election. Any discussions on serious issues are devalued if inaccurate statements are made in an attempt to be...

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: I know Fine Gael likes to continually interrupt Government speakers. It does not do democracy any good not to let speakers, on all sides, to be heard. The staffing situation relating to an individual situation can be picked out, but whether the allocation is based on an average of 27 pupils per teacher or is reduced further, ultimately schools make individual choices in assigning teachers to...

Seanad: Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000: Statements (28 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: The Senators asked a number of questions I would like to address. I thank them for their constructive contributions, for agreeing to this motion by the deadline of 22 May and for postponing the discussion until today. I have listened carefully to their points in this debate. The commission's final report is expected to be finished in November 2008 and published by the end of January 2009....

Seanad: Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000: Statements (28 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: Which Department?

Seanad: Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000: Statements (28 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: Senator Keaveney raised this issue on the Adjournment recently as I delivered the reply on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science. That reply is on the record of the House. I will contact the Minister, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, to see what progress has been made. The Senator made a good case for music therapy when I listened to her previously. I will investigate the progress that...

Seanad: Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000: Statements (28 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: That is my understanding of it, although the Teaching Council also has a role to play in this regard. I can check this for the Senator to be absolutely clear.

Seanad: Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000: Statements (28 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: Senator Ormonde asked whether the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism has had any input into the interdepartmental group. I will check this for the Senator. My understanding is that it would be involved, but I will clarify that.

Seanad: Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000: Statements (28 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: On Thursday last, both Houses of the Oireachtas approved the draft Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000 (Section 5) (Specified Period) Order, 2008. Under the terms of section 5(5) of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000, an order to extend the term of the commission must be approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas. As obliged under the Act, the Department consulted...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (27 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: An agreed transport provision is in place to cater for the pupil referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied in the current school year. The service may be reviewed over the summer months.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (27 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to review the school transport system including catchment boundaries. The Department is currently finalising proposals for progressing this commitment..

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (22 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: In general, remote area grants are paid at the end of the school year and my Department is currently reviewing cases where payments are made on a more frequent basis. The person referred to in the details supplied is eligible for a remote area grant and the case is among those under review.

Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000: Motion (22 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: I thank Deputies for their contributions and constructive comments in respect of this matter. I also thank them for their pledged support for the motion. A number of issues were raised. Deputy Brian Hayes referred to the role played by the Department of Education and Science in 2002 and subsequently. Mr. Matthias Kelly was appointed by the then Minister in 2003 to review the Department's...

Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000: Motion (22 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the draft Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000 (Section 5) (Specified Period) Order 2008, a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 21 May 2008. The extension is required to allow the commission to fulfil its statutory mandate to publish its report during the specified period. The current period expires at midnight tonight, 22 May 2008....

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (21 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to review the school transport system including catchment boundaries. The Department is currently finalising proposals for progressing this commitment.

Literacy Levels. (21 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: In 1995, Ireland participated in an international literacy survey of adults conducted by the OECD, which found that approximately 25% of Irish adults between 16 and 64 years old were at the lowest literacy level — level one. Those are the most recent statistics available. However, Ireland has agreed to participate in the initial development work and feasibility study for a new survey to...

Literacy Levels. (21 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: A specified time is allocated to me.

Literacy Levels. (21 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: I was trying to be helpful. I should have realised that Deputy Quinn has all that information. Additional information not given on the floor of the House. Included also are a family literacy pilot scheme to address poor literacy from an intergenerational family perspective; and a workplace literacy programme — the return to learning scheme — in all local authority areas for outdoor...

Literacy Levels. (21 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: It is 500,000 people. I am trying to be helpful in giving the Deputy information.

Literacy Levels. (21 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: I do not believe the reply is a filibuster in any way. It is an opportunity for me to say exactly what is being done in terms of adult literacy.

Literacy Levels. (21 May 2008)

Seán Haughey: At that time the figure was 500,000 but I suggest that the situation has improved since then because of a number of policies and programmes that are in place. The participation in the OECD programme for the international assessment of adult competencies will give us more up to date information in due course.