Results 7,441-7,460 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — School Placement: School Placement (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy is aware a specific function of the National Council Special Education, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is to identify appropriate educational placements for all children with special educational needs. The SENO is a focal point of contact for parents and the school and is available to parents to provide support and advice. My officials...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The matter raised by the Deputy is not appropriate to the Student Support Bill. The commitment under the Programme for Government to appoint a further student representative to the HEA can be accommodated under existing legislation and will be considered when future vacancies arise. The composition of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland is set out in Section 6 of the...

Written Answers — School Management: School Management (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I wish to advise the Deputy that when copies of the revised Constitution of Boards and Rules of Procedure issued to all new primary school boards of management in December, 2007, ten copies of an Information Manual for Primary Boards of Management issued to the schools at the same time.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: This government is determined to do all that is possible to ensure that every child gets all the opportunities and support they need to enable them to achieve their potential and participate fully in education. Through increased investment and improved services we are determined to optimise access, participation and educational outcomes at every level of the system for disadvantaged groups....

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy will know, the legislature, in passing the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004, recognised that implementation would require a considerable change agenda, to develop and support inclusive schools to deliver on the provisions of the Act. For this reason, the EPSEN Act, 2004 specifically refers to a five year implementation period. The National Council...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: My Department continually monitors the situation in relation to retirements, demographics and the many other factors affecting supply and demand of teachers, in the light of system needs, available resources and Government commitments. The Deputy might be interested to know that for the intake to the 2008 post graduate diploma in education (for primary teaching) my Department approved an...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The maximum numbers of students that are expected to graduate from all of the Colleges of Education here in 2008 are as follows: Graduates (CoE) Maximum Possible Nos BEd P-Grad St Patrick's College/DCU 423 109 Mary Immaculate/UL 435 104 Coláiste Mhuire, Marino 100 50 Church of Ireland College of Education 31 0 Froebel College of Education 87 36 Hibernian 0 515 Totals 1,076 814

Written Answers — Health Promotion: Health Promotion (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 540, 548 and 561 together. Our schools already promote, support and encourage healthy eating and physical exercise in a range of ways. Physical education is part of the curriculum at primary and at post-primary level and plays a key role not just in giving students an opportunity to exercise during the school day but also in encouraging a positive attitude...

Written Answers — Health and Safety Regulations: Health and Safety Regulations (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work, Act 1989, it is the responsibility of school management authorities to have a safety statement in place in their schools. Schools are obliged to identify possible hazards, assess the risks to health and safety and to put appropriate safeguards in place. It is open to school management authorities to have the type of survey referred to...

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: A pilot Modular Accreditation Programme commenced in Tallaght IOT in October 2007 as part of the implementation of the commitment for a targeted scheme for the alleviation of fees for part-time study. The Higher Certificate in Good Manufacturing Practice and Technology, to be awarded at HETAC Level 6, will focus on providing education and training in fundamental and applied aspects of science...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: My Department has determined the long term projected staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy and the school authorities involved have been advised of same outcome. 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 (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the school in question has been included in my recent announcement for schools that are progressing to construction. 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 to this project.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I recently announced a list of major school building projects 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. I intend to make further announcements regarding projects that will be proceeding to construction during the course...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Under the relevant pension schemes for VEC and Institutes of Technology officers, a person on appointment to a permanent post is required to purchase previous temporary whole-time and part-time service where this was not pensionable. In the case of an officer who becomes liable on permanent appointment to Class A rate PRSI, the cost of purchasing such prior service is determined on the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Delivery of all building projects, including the project in question, will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Physical Education is one of the seven curriculum areas within the revised Primary School Curriculum (1999). A minimum of one hour of physical education per week is recommended for all primary school pupils. In accordance with the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools, all second-level schools should provide Physical Education as part of the curriculum. The programme that each school...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Physical Education is one of the seven curriculum areas within the revised Primary School Curriculum (1999). A minimum of one hour of physical education per week is recommended for all primary school pupils. In accordance with the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools, all second-level schools should provide Physical Education as part of the curriculum. The programme that each school...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: My Department is committed to the provision, maintenance and modernisation of physical education and physical activity facilities in our schools for our children and young people. The Physical Education curricula at both primary and second level have been developed on the understanding that facilities available to schools vary. Consequently, they offer a level of flexibility that allows each...

Written Answers — In-service Training: In-service Training (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: My Department is currently funding initiatives at both Primary and Post Primary levels to train teachers to support healthy eating and active living. Currently at primary level, there is an Assistant National Co-ordinator working with the Primary Curriculum Support Service (PCSP) who has responsibility for leading a team of 17 Physical Education/Social Personal and Health Education...

Written Answers — Health Promotion: Health Promotion (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Our schools promote, support and encourage healthy eating and physical exercise in a range of ways. All second level schools have been required to provide Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) as part of the junior cycle curriculum since September 2003. This course builds on SPHE in the Primary School Curriculum. SPHE, when considered both at primary level and in the junior cycle,...