Results 441-460 of 623 for speaker:Síle de Valera

Health Services. (25 Jan 2006)

Síle de Valera: I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. The Tánaiste has asked me to inform the House that the Department of Health and Children has regular contact with the group referred to by the Deputy. The Tánaiste has had one meeting with them, in February 2005, at which this issue was discussed. The services referred to by...

Driving Tests. (25 Jan 2006)

Síle de Valera: The Minister for Transport acknowledges the Deputy's concerns about the waiting lists in the Tipperary town and Clonmel test centres. On 23 January the longest waiting time in Clonmel was 51 weeks compared to 50 last December and in Tipperary town it was 58 weeks compared to 55 last December. While the Minister fully accepts that waiting times for driving tests in general are unacceptable,...

School Transport. (25 Jan 2006)

Síle de Valera: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I welcome this opportunity to outline to the House my Department's position regarding school transport for children residing in the Blackwater area of County Wexford. By way of general comment, I should explain that one of the main objects of the school transport scheme is to provide a basic level of service for children who live long distances from...

School Transport. (25 Jan 2006)

Síle de Valera: On such an occasion, I like to outline each of the rules and regulations that pertain.

School Transport. (25 Jan 2006)

Síle de Valera: On such occasions it is necessary to refer again to them because the Deputy has stated that he wants clarification.

School Transport. (25 Jan 2006)

Síle de Valera: The rules and regulations concerning school transport are not always understood.

School Transport. (25 Jan 2006)

Síle de Valera: Unfortunately, I have found that to be the position, which is why I take the opportunity to highlight the rules on such occasions. Eligible pupils who wish to attend post primary schools in another catchment area may be allowed transport on school services from within the catchment boundary of the centre being attended, subject to there being spare seats available on the school transport...

School Transport. (25 Jan 2006)

Síle de Valera: ——that the children in question are not fully eligible for transport to schools in Wexford town. Furthermore, Bus Éireann has informed my Department that there are not enough spare seats available on the buses to facilitate the pupils in question with catchment boundary transport to Wexford town. A number of families from the Blackwater area recently appealed my Department's decision to...

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. This Government is strongly committed to improving participation and achievement at every level of education. We have put the resources and supports in place to ensure there is a wide range of course options available in the further and higher education sectors for young people who wish to continue their studies after second level and for...

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: The Deputy has asked if the Government is really interested in the question of adult and further education, and the statistics I have already provided prove we have a distinct responsibility which we recognise. We are supportive of the area of adult and further education. There are 21 over-arching recommendations in the McIver report and no less than 91 sub-recommendations. The cost of these...

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: When referring to the timeframe we must first refer to prioritisation which can be achieved only through consultation. I do not have €48 million to hand. We would love to be in a position to say we would implement it straight away but we are being realistic and honest in saying that we need to prioritise to ensure——

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: Extensive consultation has been taking place. This will involve radical changes in respect of management and staff interests. These decisions cannot be taken by the Department of Education and Science alone. There are significant industrial relations issues to be discussed in the context of further and adult education. We must consider the cost implications of the development of separate...

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: We would like to be in a position to implement the recommendations of the report. We must prioritise them because I do not have the €48 million to hand. When discussing further and adult education it is important to consider the scope of education in that sector. I do not accept the Deputy's comment that I gave a sweeping answer on this matter. In addition to considering the PLC sector...

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: I am responsible for the whole issue of further and adult education. I am concerned with the PLCs where there have been significant increases, even in the creation of 100 posts for that sector. I am also responsible however for the adult literacy group, VTOS, youthreach, senior Traveller training, the back to education initiative. To take one figure alone, more than 33,873 people avail of...

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 8, 26 and 60 together. The Government believes strongly in the value of this sector and will continue to prioritise it for resources and supports in the years ahead. Improving participation and achievement at every level of education is a key priority. We have put the resources and supports in place to ensure a wide range of course options is available in...

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: I refute what the Deputy has said about me not answering questions on the McIver report. With respect, the Deputy may not like the answers, but I certainly have directly addressed the issues put to me. I have said this more than once this afternoon, but for the Deputy's sake I will repeat it. I explained that the cost of the McIver report is €48 million. That figure has not been plucked out...

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: Other issues will come to the fore as we progress further, including the national office for access to higher education. Under the recently announced strategic innovation fund, institutes of higher education will be invited to submit proposals to promote access and progression. That is an important issue in discussing further education.

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: I will say it yet again for the Deputy. The McIver report's recommendations will cost €48 million, but we do not have that. Therefore we are working on its implementation through consultation, as funds become available.

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: It will happen as soon as the funds become available. I cannot give the Deputy a timescale today.

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: There certainly is a commitment. We would not have gone——