Results 7,481-7,500 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The Athlone element of the decentralisation of my Department involves the relocation of approximately 90 posts to Athlone. Twelve of these posts have already relocated to Athlone and the balance will relocate as soon as the new building in Athlone is ready for occupation. I understand that the building could be fully ready for occupation within the next 2 to 3 months. In addition to the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The Higher Education Authority (HEA) is not one of the State agencies under the aegis of my Department that has been designated as an "early mover" by the Decentralisation Implementation Group (DIG). The acquisition of property for the programme of decentralisation is a matter for the Office of Public Works (OPW). I am not aware that any property has been acquired in connection with the...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: My Department funds three maintenance grant schemes for third level students which are administered by the Local Authorities and the Vocational Education Committees. These are the Higher Education Grants Scheme, the Vocational Education Committees' Scholarship Scheme, the Third Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees and the Maintenance Grants Scheme for Students attending Post Leaving...

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

Mary Hanafin: I wish to advise the Deputy that the level of resources being made available by my Department to support students with special educational needs (SEN) in mainstream education nationally, including those in Co Meath, has grown significantly in recent years. In relation to supporting pupils with dyslexia, my Department implemented a new scheme for allocating learning support / resource teachers...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Feb 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Written and oral Parliamentary Questions (PQs) are dealt with by staff in the line section responsible for the particular issue raised in the question. The number and level of staff involved in preparing a particular answer varies depending on a number of factors including the complexity of the issues raised in the question and the volume and accessibility of information required for the...

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

Mary Hanafin: The Lyons Estate is in the ownership of University College Dublin. The institution is an autonomous body, with the day to day management of the institution's affairs being a matter for the Governing Body of the institution. I have been informed by the Higher Education Authority that the Governing Body is continuing to carry out a full analysis of its requirements in relation to its overall...

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

Mary Hanafin: I can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which he refers have applied for large scale capital funding. The application have been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. Progress on individual projects will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (31 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 193 together. The Deputy will be aware that the home tuition scheme provides funding to parents to provide education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting a suitable educational placement. I am pleased...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (31 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: In October 2007, I announced my intention to survey all parents and students in the school to establish the level and range of provision being sought through Irish or English that will cater for the spectrum of student needs. I asked the Commission on School Accommodation to conduct the survey. The Commission on School Accommodation formally requested the board of management of the school to...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (31 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The request for the release of my interest in the portion of site at the school in question is being considered by my Department's School Planning Section. A report is awaited on the future educational needs for this particular area before any decision can be made to surrender the particular portion of site at this school.

Written Answers — Bullying in the Workplace: Bullying in the Workplace (31 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The officer appointed to conduct the inquiry referred to by the Deputy has informed my Department that he anticipates that he will be in a position to conclude his report and furnish it to me by Easter. The Terms of Reference of the inquiry, at paragraph (a) (iii), specifically refers to allegations of bullying of staff members. Therefore, I expect that the report, when furnished, will deal...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (31 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy will be aware, the Summer Works Scheme has, since its introduction just a few years ago, transformed the standard of existing school accommodation. With over 3,700 projects now having been funded under the scheme, the Department's intention is to concentrate the investment in school buildings this year on delivering as many large projects as possible. While there will be a focus...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (31 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Tenders for the project referred to by the Deputy are currently with my Department. Progression of all projects to tender and construction are considered in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. As indicated at the post budget education briefing I intend to announce shortly the first tranche of projects that will proceed to construction in 2008.

Written Answers — Medical Education: Medical Education (31 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The registration of medical practitioners is a matter for the Medical Council in accordance with the relevant legislative provisions which fall under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Health and Children. It is my understanding that the graduate entry programme at the University of Limerick is accredited by the Medical Council and that this accreditation is provisional as it is the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (31 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: In December 2007 I announced that a new State model of community national school, under the patronage of County Dublin Vocational Education Committee (VEC), is to be piloted from September 2008. I also indicated that I would be bringing proposals to Government to provide necessary amending legislation to underpin the VEC role in the primary sector. Preparatory work is currently underway in...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (31 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: A suitable site has been identified for this school. The site comprises three plots of land with three separate vendors. Agreement on price and general terms (subject to contract) has been reached in respect of each of the plots and draft Contracts are with the Chief State Solicitor's Office for completion of the conveyancing process. My Department has instructed the Chief State Solicitor's...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (31 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application to the Department for capital funding towards the provision of a new school and the long-term staffing figure on which accommodation needs will be based has been determined and notified to the school authority. It has been agreed that appropriate accommodation should be provided to cater for a long-term projected staffing of...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (31 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The process of appointing a design team to the school building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage. Progression of all projects to tender and construction 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 (31 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: An extension/refurbishment project proposed for the school referred to by the Deputy is at the early stages of architectural planning. The progression of the project will be considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (31 Jan 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...