Results 6,961-6,980 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that in those instances to-date in 2008 where arrangements are in place to finalise contracts following the expiry of the 90 day acceptance period no extra costs have been incurred. No projects have been re-advertised so far in 2008.

Written Answers — Outdoor Education Centres: Outdoor Education Centres (21 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Outdoor Education Centres (OECs) have been developed by Vocational Education Committees in order to enhance the quality of the educational experience for young people through outdoor education programmes. They cater mainly for primary and post-primary students, including young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and also for third-level students, youth groups, special needs groups and...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (21 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: At the outset, I want to assure you that the Department of Education and Science is fully aware of the rapidly developing nature of the Dublin 15 area. As you may be aware, the recent Census preliminary figures confirm the Fingal area of Dublin as the fastest growing area in the country. Significant further investment will be required there over the coming years. The challenge is to...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (21 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: All applications for large scale capital funding are assessed against published prioritisation criteria and assigned a band rating. Progress on individual projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I can confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for major capital funding from the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and has been assigned a band rating. Assessment of demographic trends and housing developments are part of normal internal...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I announced recently a list of schools which are due to go to construction in 2008. My Department will be in contact with the school authorities over the next number of days to advise on the most appropriate preparation schedule applicable on each project. The school to which the Deputy refers is not included in that announcement. However, I intend to make further announcements regarding...

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

Mary Hanafin: We have to be flexible and provide a range of methods. Given that our education system is child-centred and given also that teachers who are familiar with different interventions are the best trained people to tailor the approaches to the child rather than the other way round, this is the approach we are taking with children with autism all over the country. We believe that where a child...

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

Mary Hanafin: We recognise that and I feel we are all talking about the same thing.

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

Mary Hanafin: Some 15,000 teachers had access to training last year.

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

Mary Hanafin: She is one of 13.

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

Mary Hanafin: That is a quote from the autism society in Northern Ireland.

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

Mary Hanafin: I clarified that it was a quote from the autism society in Northern Ireland.

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

Mary Hanafin: Tá áthas orm a bheith anseo san tSeanad. I thank the Leader for giving Government time to discuss this important issue. There are quite a number of children of varying needs across the system who need extra attention and care. There have been a number of occasions over the past three years when this House has debated this topic. I know it is of interest to many Senators. We recognise...

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

Mary Hanafin: They are special needs assistants. I challenge anyone to state that the 10,000 special needs assistants in our schools are not playing a valuable role in supporting our children.

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

Mary Hanafin: Equally, the number of teachers working solely with children with special needs has increased to 9,000 fully qualified teachers. The continued support for them and our special schools has helped education throughout the country and has also helped children and the provision of excellent service to children with varying degrees of need. Many of these improvements have come about in the past...

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

Mary Hanafin: The majority of primary school pupils with special needs no longer require assessments in order to get extra support. When one recognises that there are 9,000 teachers and 10,000 special needs assistants, it is a particular priority and has ensured there are major improvements for our children. Training has been improved significantly as well. This was an area where little had been done but...

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

Mary Hanafin: As Senator Norris can see, I am using notes. I do not have a full script.

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

Mary Hanafin: I have bits of pages through which I am working. Classes for children with autism have increased from 150 in September 2004 to 277, 100 of which were established in the past year. Significant advances have been made to support children and their families. I mentioned at the outset that the only option for children with the complex or more severe special needs ten years ago was the special...

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

Mary Hanafin: Researchers throughout the world have differed on this. If there was a clear consensus across the education and research communities of the world this would not be a difficulty. There is no consensus. In recent weeks people have heard top psychologists debating the merits of the different systems. What is clear is that there is merit in all of the different approaches and methods in use...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (20 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The Physical Education curriculum has been designed on the basis that facilities in schools may vary, depending on the size of the school and the extent of the site. Many primary schools have a general purpose room and practically all schools have outdoor play areas which are used for teaching different aspects of the PE programme. A similar situation with sports halls and outdoor facilities...