Results 4,201-4,220 of 4,869 for speaker:Seán Haughey

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (6 Mar 2008)

Seán Haughey: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to review the school transport system including catchment boundaries. The Department is currently developing proposals for progressing this commitment and the intention is to make substantial progress during the current year.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (6 Mar 2008)

Seán Haughey: I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity of outlining to the House my Department's position regarding the proposed building project for Finn Valley college, Stranorlar, County Donegal. The existing building dates back to 1939. The proposed new school will be constructed on a VEC-owned site at Drumboe Lower, Stranorlar, comprising 6.79 acres. The proposed project will consist of the...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (6 Mar 2008)

Seán Haughey: At the outset, I wish to thank Senator Fitzgerald for raising the matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and also to outline the position regarding the delivery of the proposed second level school for south Lucan. As I have already mentioned, in the lifetime of the national development plan,...

Seanad: Cross-Border Business Park (6 Mar 2008)

Seán Haughey: I am pleased to take this Adjournment matter in my capacity as a Minister of State also based at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. While the economies of Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland may have many differences the global competitive challenges faced by business enterprises in both jurisdictions are the same. It is appropriate that we should jointly address those...

Written Answers — Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme: Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (4 Mar 2008)

Seán Haughey: To be eligible for enrolment on a VTOS course, a person must be 21 years of age and have been signing for credits for at least six months (156 days) directly before commencing their course.

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (4 Mar 2008)

Seán Haughey: Section 1 of the Youth Work Act, 2001 provides for sections to be commenced at different stages. Sections 2-7, 17, 18 and 24 have been commenced to date. A sub-committee of the National Youth Work Advisory Committee (NYWAC), representative of both statutory and voluntary sectors as well as of my Department, has been progressing the groundwork, including the development of detailed guidelines...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (28 Feb 2008)

Seán Haughey: The charges payable by pupils availing of school transport services have not been increased since 1998. In order to reflect increases in the cost of providing school transport and to alleviate pressure on these costs, revised charges will be introduced with effect from the final term of the current school year, which begins after Easter 2008. The revised charges at Junior and Senior Cycles...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (28 Feb 2008)

Seán Haughey: The pupil, referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, is eligible for transport to the school in question. However, Bus Eireann which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department, has advised that, at present, there is not a sufficient number of eligible pupils in the locality, to warrant the establishment of a service. The position may be re-examined at a later...

Written Answers — Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme: Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (27 Feb 2008)

Seán Haughey: The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) is a second — chance education initiative, which is funded by my Department, for unemployed persons who are at least 21 years of age and in receipt of certain social welfare payments for at least six months. It is operated through the Vocational Education Committees. The aim of the Scheme is to give unemployed people education and training...

Written Answers — Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme: Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (27 Feb 2008)

Seán Haughey: The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) was introduced in 1989 to encourage people in receipt of unemployment payments to return to education and training. VTOS courses are full-time and can last up to two years. Over the following years, the Scheme was opened up to people in receipt of other payments, such as single parent allowances and illness benefit, disability allowance and...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (26 Feb 2008)

Seán Haughey: The Deputy will be aware, from my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 507 of 19 February, 2008, that the pupils referred to, in the details supplied, are not eligible for free school transport. In that regard, the payment of a grant does not arise.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (26 Feb 2008)

Seán Haughey: I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and the current position in regard to the future plans for Gaelscoil Bharra in Cabra. Modernising facilities in our 3,300 primary and 731 post-primary schools is not an easy task given the legacy of decades of under-investment in...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (Resumed). (21 Feb 2008)

Seán Haughey: The Government has worked hard to put in place a continuum of educational provision for all children with autism. This continuum has at its core a child-centred approach. The education provided for each child must be highly structured and individualised to meet that child's needs. Children with autism need to be taught how to learn which the rest of us take for granted. The network of...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (Resumed). (21 Feb 2008)

Seán Haughey: The Minister, Deputy Mary Hanafin, regrets she could not be present for the entire debate, but she is preparing for the Student Support Bill which is scheduled to be taken in the Dáil this afternoon. Senators will appreciate that it is an important Bill which is being welcomed across the board by students generally. I have listened to the debate for the past hour and to the discussion on...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (Resumed). (21 Feb 2008)

Seán Haughey: ——and to help them become as independent as possible and to have as full a life as possible when they are adults. This is as true for children with autism as for any other child.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (20 Feb 2008)

Seán Haughey: Bus Éireann operates the school transport services on behalf of my Department. It is a major logistical operation which involves the planning of bus routes in such a way as to ensure that, as far as possible, eligible pupils have a reasonable level of service while, at the same time, ensuring that school transport vehicles are fully utilised in an efficient and effective manner. As a rule,...

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (19 Feb 2008)

Seán Haughey: I recently met a delegation on behalf of the project in question. According to my Department's records, applications were submitted annually on behalf of the project in question for funding under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme from 2005 to 2008. There is a large demand each year for financial assistance under my Department's Special Projects for Youth Scheme and a large proportion of...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (19 Feb 2008)

Seán Haughey: My Department has asked Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Scheme, to submit a report on the background to the case referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied. The case will be considered on receipt of this report.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (19 Feb 2008)

Seán Haughey: The pupils referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, are not eligible for school transport to the school in question as they reside in a 'closed school area'. In the case of amalgamations, pupils residing in a 'closed school area' are eligible to the school of amalgamation only.

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (14 Feb 2008)

Seán Haughey: Six (6) special projects for youth in Co. Kildare that operate under the aegis of Kildare Youth Service are currently in receipt of annual grant-in-aid funding under my Department's Special Projects for Youth Scheme. Details of these projects are outlined hereunder in tabular form: Project 2007 Grant € Athy Youth Project 89,494 Ballycane-Sarto (Naas) 105,000 Leixlip Youth Project...