Results 6,501-6,520 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — School Management: School Management (2 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I can confirm that I have responded to the joint letter from the five school patron organisations regarding primary school funding. This issue also features as part of my regular contact and discussions with the education partners. 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...

Written Answers — Teachers' Remuneration: Teachers' Remuneration (2 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: An allowance is paid where a teacher achieves an overall award of at least second class honours in the Higher Diploma in Education. My Department has arrangements in place to facilitate payment of this allowance where a teacher obtains the Post Graduate Certificate in Education from a UK or Northern Ireland College if the mark achieved in that Certificate is 55% or higher. This can be...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (2 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: 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 ongoing basis in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (2 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 674 to 698, inclusive, together. The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and would take an inordinate amount of administrative time to compile. As the Deputy will be aware, major improvements have been made in staffing at primary level in recent years. There are now in the region of 6,000 more primary teachers than there were in 2002....

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (2 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and would take an inordinate amount of administrative time to compile. As the Deputy will be aware, major improvements have been made in staffing at primary level in recent years. There are now in the region of 6,000 more primary teachers than there were in 2002. By the 2006/07 school year, we had reduced the average class size...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (2 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including the projects referred to by the Deputy, will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (2 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I have indicated my intention to commence Section 30 of Teaching Council Act later this year. Thereafter only registered teachers will be entitled to be paid on an ongoing or open-ended basis. I have also indicated my intention to provide for the use of unregistered personnel where this is a last resort for schools and I will be looking at the best manner in which this can be time limited....

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (2 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The Higher Education Grant Schemes operate under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992. These Acts define a mature student to mean a person "of not less than 23 years of age, or such other age as may stand specified for the time being in regulations made by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance, who have secured places in approved...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (2 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: My Department funds three means-tested maintenance grant schemes for third level education students in respect of attendance on approved courses in approved third level institutions: 1. The Higher Education Grants Scheme; 2. The Vocational Education Committees' Scholarship Schemes; 3. The Third Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees. Also under the terms of my Department's Free Fees...

Written Answers — Teaching Qualifications: Teaching Qualifications (2 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I regret the delay in providing the previously requested information to the Deputy. This was due to pressure of work on my officials within the Department. My Department's records show that the number of unqualified persons currently on a regular teaching contract of employment within the primary sector is 620. While I am anxious to reduce this number it should also be viewed in the context...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (2 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: On the 1st February last I announced the first phase of projects that will commence construction during 2008 and 2009. My announcement included details of the 18 large scale building projects approved for construction and a further 30 primary school projects in rapidly developing areas. Details of the projects approved can be viewed under the Press Release section of my Department's website...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (2 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The New School Advisory Committee (NSAC) has received an application for the recognition of a new primary school for September, 2008 in the location referred to by the Deputy. The NSAC is an independent advisory group established to process applications for the recognition of new primary schools and to make recommendations to the Minister for Education and Science. I expect to be in a...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (2 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 707 and 787 together. The process of appointing a design team to the school building project referred to by the Deputies is at an advanced stage. The advancement of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, will considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (2 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: An application for capital funding towards the provision of a new school building has been received from the school authority referred to by the Deputy. The long term projected staffing assessment and the further progression of the proposed building project will be considered on an ongoing basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme. In the...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (2 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: In order to meet the language needs of schools, my Department issued a circular in May 2007, reference 0053/2007, to the managerial authorities of all schools — both primary and post primary — to assist them in providing an inclusive school environment to meet the needs of pupils for whom English is a second language. The circular outlines the resources that are available to assist...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (2 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The Property Management Section of the Office of Public Works (OPW) which acts on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally, has been requested to source a suitable site for this school. On foot of advertising a number of proposals were received and an assessment of the proposals is currently with my Department for consideration. The further progression of the...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (2 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that home tuition has been granted to the child in question.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (2 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: A reply has issued to the candidate referred to by the Deputy in respect of her appeal from the Higher Education — Equity Of Access Unit of my Department.

Written Answers — Education Schemes: Education Schemes (2 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The rates of pay applicable to home tuition tutors are based on the qualifications of the tutor. Therefore tutors fall into 2 categories for payment purposes i.e. primary and secondary in accordance with the appropriate part time rates of payment. A subdivision within the categories reflects whether the tutor is qualified or unqualified. Early intervention tutors are primary teachers and...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (2 Apr 2008)

Mary Hanafin: My Department has no record of a request for a joint venture to share sports facilities at the school in question.