Results 6,821-6,840 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Colleges Recognition: Colleges Recognition (4 Mar 2008)

Mary Hanafin: My Department does not regulate the provision of private colleges. Indeed, in the context of a lifelong approach to learning, it would not be feasible to confine all provision of education and training to providers which are nationally accredited. However, in Ireland we do have a national framework of qualifications which enables providers in public, private, workplace or community settings...

Written Answers — Colleges Recognition: Colleges Recognition (4 Mar 2008)

Mary Hanafin: My Department is in consultation with relevant agencies, to see how the existing approach to bogus institutions might be made more coherent and effective. My Department fully intends to continue its efforts to press for compliance with legislation in this area and recognises that the existence of such organisations is contrary to the interests of Ireland's higher education institutions,...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (4 Mar 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Since its commencement in 1998, there has been significant investment generally in the ICT in Schools Programme, in providing computers to schools, professional development ICT courses for teachers, improving the availability of digital content, integrating ICT into the curriculum and in supporting schools to integrate ICT into their teaching and learning. The recent priorities under the...

Written Answers — Teaching Qualifications: Teaching Qualifications (4 Mar 2008)

Mary Hanafin: My Department is not aware of the number of science teachers who have an educational degree and postgraduate qualifications that are employed in post primary schools. The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill vacancies in an individual school is a matter for the Board of Management of the school concerned. Boards of Management must make every effort, including advertising in a...

Written Answers — School Facilities: School Facilities (4 Mar 2008)

Mary Hanafin: As part of the multi-annual school building programme my Department has invested heavily in modernising school facilities throughout the country including science facilities in post-primary schools. Provision of science facilities is an intrinsic part of many school building projects at post-primary level. Typically this investment involves the provision of modern science facilities in new...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (4 Mar 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The decision to distribute Judging Dev was taken following an initial approach from the History In Service Team (HIST) and was a multi-faceted collaboration between the HIST, the Royal Irish Academy and RTE. It is not unusual for the teacher support services operated by my Department to collaborate from time to time with outside organisations on imaginative initiatives which make available...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (4 Mar 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Two copies of the Judging Dev book were sent to all post primary schools in the country. Acknowledgements of receipt of the book were not requested and have not been received, although feedback from teachers attending in service in History has been positive. The book was packaged by staff in my Department and distributed through the Department's normal postal service.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (4 Mar 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The architectural planning of the building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage. The progression of all major projects to tender and construction, 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 — Funding for Schools: Funding for Schools (4 Mar 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I am aware of the joint communication from the patron bodies to An Taoiseach in relation to funding pressures on schools. I would like to assure the Deputy that it is a key priority for the Government to improve funding for the day-to-day running costs of schools. For that reason specific commitments in relation to improving school funding form a central part of the education provisions in...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (4 Mar 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Progression of all projects to tender and construction, including the project in question, will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme in which the main focus is to deliver school places within rapidly developing areas. The progression of all school building projects will be considered in this context. I announced recently a...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (28 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I believe that schools have a role to play both in teaching students about road safety issues and in helping them to develop the attitudes necessary to promote safe behaviour on the roads. The Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme, which is mandatory in primary schools and at junior cycle level, provides a framework under which the generic values and skills which underpin...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (28 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: It has been the practice, and remains the practice, that when an elected representative makes an inquiry with the Department, they are directed to the Correspondence Unit attached to the Minister's office in the Department, which specifically deals with such queries. The Press Office deals with queries from members of the press only. There has been no change in this practice. Recently, there...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (28 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government considers that as each child with autism is unique, they should have access to a range of different approaches to meet their individual needs. This view is informed by advice received from international experts on autism, the National Educational Psychological Service and the Inspectorate. An analysis of research — including the report of the...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (28 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to the network of special classes for children with autism which have been established to provide an autism-specific child-centred education for enrolled pupils. Two hundred and seventy seven such classes have been sanctioned and each class can cater for up to 6 children with one teacher and a minimum of two special needs assistants.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (28 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Special schools and classes have made a significant and key contribution to the education of children with special educational needs across the State. In line with the Programme for Government, I am committed to continuing to expand the number of special classes to meet need. The NSCE will continue to make available a range of appropriate provision including special classes in various...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (28 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available, however, I have arranged for the details to be forwarded to him at an early date.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (28 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The proposed project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. Under the lifetime of the National Development Plan 2007-2013 €4.5 billion will be invested in school's infrastructure. This is an unprecedented level of capital investment which reflects the commitment of the Government to continue its programme of sustained investment in primary and post primary schools. This...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (28 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The issues raised in the correspondence are being considered by my Department and my officials will be in contact with the individual referred to by the Deputy regarding this matter.

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

Mary Hanafin: I would like to make clear that my Department is not preventing the operation of immersion models of education. My Department provides a range of supports to encourage the establishment of all-Irish schools and to encourage instruction and communication through Irish. The right of parents and children to choose education through the medium of Irish is fully respected, but this does not...

Written Answers — Educational Programmes: Educational Programmes (28 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: My Department supports the view that good nutrition is central to a child's educational development. Evidence from existing studies shows that there is a significant positive relationship between improved dietary status and school performance. A knowledge of what constitutes a nutritionally balanced diet is acknowledged as being of importance for students. To support this, nutrition...