Results 7,021-7,040 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (20 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: A number of steps are being taken to ensure we continue to build on the success of the previous Programme for Government and National Development Plan (2000-2006) in achieving further increases in participation in third level education by young people and adults from disadvantaged groups and areas. The first step is the significant commitment of resources over a seven year period for a number...

Written Answers — Small Schools Scheme: Small Schools Scheme (20 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 158 together. Decisions regarding the allocation of funding in respect of the devolved scheme referred to by the Deputy will be taken in due course, in the context of my Department's School Building and Modernisation Programme. The purpose of the Small Schools Scheme is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake building works...

Written Answers — Languages Programme: Languages Programme (20 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Progress is ongoing on the implementation of the recommendations of the Report of the Internationalisation of Irish Education Services, including the establishment of Education Ireland, a new body with responsibility for promoting the development of Ireland as a centre of excellence for international education. The Government is committed to establishing Education Ireland as soon as possible...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (20 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 155 together. The Deputies will appreciate that the number of building projects under consideration can change on a day to day basis as new applications are received and existing applications are progressed within my Department. The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase is considered on...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (20 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The building project for the School referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. The further progression of the project in question will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (20 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The recognition and registration of teachers in Ireland is a function of the Teaching Council. The Teaching Council has one Register of Teachers per section 29 of the Teaching Council Act 2001. To be on the register, a teacher must be appropriately qualified. I have no plans to establish a further register.

Written Answers — Early School Leavers: Early School Leavers (20 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: This Government has pursued a dual strategy of both encouraging more young people to finish school and ensuring much greater second chance and further education opportunities for those who left school early. This has led to an increase in the proportion of young people with at least the Leaving Certificate or equivalent, as well as improving the educational profile of 20-24 year olds through...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (20 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The project to which the Deputy refers is at early architectural planning. Officials from my Department have requested a Stage 2(a) submission; Developed Sketch Design, on receipt of a date for receipt of this submission a date for a review meeting will be arranged. Progression of all projects to tender and construction will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (20 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children including those with special needs can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school settings through the primary and postprimary school network. This facilitates access to individualised education programmes, fully qualified professional teachers who have received additional training in...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (20 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The total number of Special Needs Assistants employed in primary schools and paid through my Department's payroll in January 2008 was 8,038 (whole time equivalents).

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (20 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: My Department has no plans to introduce classroom assistants for classes with twenty pupils or more. The mainstream teacher allocation of all primary schools, is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on the 30th September of the previous school year. The staffing schedule is outlined in a circular which is issued annually to all primary schools. In addition such schools...

Written Answers — Teachers' Remuneration: Teachers' Remuneration (20 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The salaries and allowances of school principals at both primary and post-primary level were considered by the Public Service Benchmarking Body, which has recently made recommendations in relation to these grades. The Benchmarking Body is recommending an increase in the allowances paid to primary principals, which will result in primary school principals receiving allowances in the range of...

Written Answers — Schools Ownership: Schools Ownership (20 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy will be aware, the vast majority of primary schools are owned by the relevant Patron reflecting the traditional roles of the Patrons, through the Churches, of providing lands and buildings for schools. In recent years the Department has been progressively acquiring sites for schools and it is anticipated that this activity will be increased in the coming years. Presently the...

Written Answers — Capitation Grants: Capitation Grants (20 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I am aware of the funding pressures on schools generally and 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 the Programme for Government. These commitments are a direct follow on from the clear thrust of...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (20 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...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (20 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy is aware, I plan to introduce a single unified scheme of maintenance grants for students and to consolidate the administration of this unified grants scheme in the VEC sector. This will, I believe, provide for a more coherent administrative system. The scheme, which will be underpinned by the recently published Student Support Bill, will facilitate consistency of application,...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (20 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The application from the school referred to by the Deputy has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects. Further progression of this project 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 (20 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The application from the school referred to by the Deputy has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects. Following on from a technical visit by the Department the Patron has confirmed the availability of additional lands for a new school building. Further progression of this project will be considered in the context of my Department's...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (20 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The question of the acquisition of a site for the school in question is being pursued. Once a suitable site has been identified agreement to enter a contract for purchase will be considered in the context of the Department's 2008 budget for acquisition of sites. Once the site issues have been resolved the further progression of the building project in question will be considered in the...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (20 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy may be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers, for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly...