Results 6,121-6,140 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Clár Tógála Scoileanna: Clár Tógála Scoileanna (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Táthar tar éis a iarraidh ar Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí, a fheidhmíonn thar ceann mo Roinnse go ginearálta maidir le fáil suíomhanna do scoileanna, suíomh oiriúnach a aimsiú don scoil atá i gceist. Táthar tar éis suíomh oiriúnach a shainaithint agus tá fáil an tsuímh sin dulta ar aghaidh go dtí ardchéim. Machnófar ceannach an tsuímh agus an tionscadal tógála atá...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: A site visit was carried out recently at the school referred to by the Deputy. A technical report on this visit is currently being compiled. The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School...

Written Answers — Third Level Education: Third Level Education (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The numbers of Full Time and Part Time PhD enrolments and graduations since 1996/97 academic year for the seven universities is outlined in the table. It should be noted that the enrolments show the entire cohort of PhD enrolments in the given year, not just the first year enrolments. Under the current data collection methodology, data on the number of students who registered for PhD....

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which he refers has made an application for major capital funding to my Department. Progress on all major projects, including the project in question, will be considered on an ongoing basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Since its establishment, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), with its national network of over 80 Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) has provided a structure for the delivery of an effective and speedy education service to children and families coping with disability on a daily basis. Working locally on the ground, the SENOs are a focal point of contact for parents and...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: My Department was allocated €9.05bn net in the 2008 Revised Estimates Volume, €8.24bn of which relates to current expenditure. Detailed decision making on my part was, of course, an integral part of the 2008 Budget process in my Department. The Department's expenditure is monitored on a continual basis throughout the year. Whilst there are some indications of emerging pressures in...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy is aware, my Department implemented a general allocation system of learning support/resource teachers to mainstream primary schools in September 2005. The system provides teaching resources to schools to enable them to cater for children with high-incidence special education needs such as borderline mild general learning disability and mild general learning disability and...

Written Answers — Schools ICT Strategy: Schools ICT Strategy (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The National Development Plan 2007-2013 provides for the investment of €252m in ICT for Schools, both primary and post-primary, over the period of the Plan. As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government sets out our commitment to implementing a comprehensive Schools' ICT Strategy. This strategy will address the upgrading and renewal of hardware, the provision of software and...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to promoting strong levels of exercise for our children and young people– both in their community and at school. Over €2.6 billion has been provided for school building infrastructure between 2000 and 2006 and a further €4.5 billion is to be invested under the new National Development Plan 2007-2013. Close to €600m of this will be...

Written Answers — Capitation Grants: Capitation Grants (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I want to assure the Deputy that the Government is fully aware of the funding pressures on schools. We are committed to doubling the primary capitation grant by 2012 and to significantly increasing the value of the ancillary services grant that is used by schools for the employment of support staff such as caretakers and secretaries. These commitments are a direct follow-on from the clear...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy is aware, my Department has put in place a range of teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs, including those with Down Syndrome. Pupils with Down Syndrome may be entitled to additional provision in school, either under the terms of the general allocation system for children with high incidence special needs or through an allocation of additional...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. Progress on all major projects, including the project in question, will be considered on an ongoing basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I am aware of the correspondence referred to by the Deputy which relates to class sizes and developing schools criteria. The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30th September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is issued to all...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: There are no plans in my Department at present to provide a post-primary school on the site in question. The overall development of the site is kept under review in the light of the demographics of the general area and the availability of school places.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The Department is exploring as an option the provision of a new building on the existing school site. The further progression of the acquisition of the site and the associated building project will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. It is not possible at this stage to indicate when a new school building will be available.

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: May I share time with Deputy Flynn?

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill at a critical juncture for both the EU and Ireland. The Irish people must make an important decision, not only about the reform treaty but also about the future of this country. I strongly believe that a "Yes" vote will pave the way for Ireland to continue to benefit from EU membership as it has done successfully for the past 35...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects: Motion (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: That is because their new school is being constructed.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects: Motion (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Go raibh maith agat. Ba mhaith liomsa mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis na Seanadóirí. The one thing that is clear is that all of us are genuinely interested in ensuring that our schoolchildren get their education in the best possible quality accommodation. At the same time I know there are a number of schools that are waiting for their building projects to progress. I am very conscious of...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects: Motion (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: ——that we are meeting——