Results 7,501-7,520 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

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

Mary Hanafin: The school authority in question has submitted an application to my Department for a new school. Applications for large scale capital funding are assessed and banded in accordance with published prioritisation criteria. These criteria were agreed following consultation with the Education Partners and the progression of individual projects is considered in the context of the multi-Annual...

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

Mary Hanafin: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that since the beginning of 2008 emergency works grants have been approved for St. Mary's Secondary School, Ballina and Dookinella NS, Achill. 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 — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (31 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: My Department has not replied to the letter referred to by the Deputy as its content is being considered in conjunction with an appeal currently on hand from the candidate concerned. A reply will issue shortly when my Department's consideration of the candidate's appeal has concluded.

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 — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (31 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: A senior cycle programme in Social Personal and Health Education is being developed by the NCCA. To date, a draft curriculum framework has been published, and consultations on the draft have also been completed. I look forward to receiving the recommendations of the Council on the matter at an early date.

Written Answers — Educational Support Services: Educational Support Services (31 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The Social Personal and Health Education support service through my Department has advertised three times for the position of Regional Development Officer with responsibility for collaboration with the Local Drug Task Force areas. On each occasion a suitable candidate was not forthcoming. The SPHE, in consultation with my Department, are currently examining ways of addressing this issue. In...

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

Mary Hanafin: The Management Information Framework (M.I.F) project has been developed in this and other Departments over the past few years. The purpose of the M.I.F. is to improve public sector financial management. In general the development of the MIF has contributed, in line with its objectives, to improved financial management, performance measurement and accountability. Overall financial service has...

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

Mary Hanafin: My Department has carried out a technical assessment of the existing school buildings and sites to determine their suitability to host the proposed amalgamation. This assessment has ruled out the use of the existing buildings and sites for the purposes of accommodating the amalgamated school. The Parish has offered to make a greenfield site available for an amalgamated school. My Department...

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

Mary Hanafin: An application for capital funding towards the provision of an extension at the school to which the Deputy refers was received and assessed. The long term projected staffing for the school has been determined and notified to the school authority. A technical assessment of the existing accommodation is required in order to determine how best to provide for the school's future accommodation...

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

Mary Hanafin: Under my Department's School Building and Modernisation Programme there will be close to €600 million available to address first and second level school infrastructure deficits/improvements in 2008. While there will continue to be a focus next year on providing extra places in developing areas, my Department will also be delivering improvements in the quality of existing school...

Written Answers — Teacher Training: Teacher Training (31 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: As part of initial teacher education, student-teachers access modules in special educational needs (SEN) to assist them in meeting the diversity of students in today's inclusive classrooms. Trainee teachers receive instruction with regard to the appropriateness of application of behavioural principles to learning. The full-time pre-service teacher training courses for the primary education...

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

Mary Hanafin: The request for funding to which the Deputy refers is associated with an application from the organisation in question for inclusion in the Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) pilot programme which is funded by my Department. The pilot programme will not be expanded and applicant groups have been so advised. The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children including...

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

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together. The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children, including those with autism, receive an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings where children may have access to individualised education programmes (IEPs), fully-qualified professional teachers who have received additional training in...

Special Educational Needs. (30 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: No, that is not in my constituency.

Special Educational Needs. (30 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: As this case may be appealed to the Supreme Court, I am restricted in what I can say about it. The Government recognises that parents of all children with special needs make great sacrifices and I am determined to ensure that all children get the support they need to reach their full potential. There is no doubt that, over decades, the record of the State in providing for children with...

Special Educational Needs. (30 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The judge also stated: "In my view there is no special cause in this case which would require this court to exercise its discretion to award to the plaintiffs the cost of the entire proceedings on the basis that it was a case of general importance to the country at large or that it raised matters of particular public importance." He recognised that the case was of course of major importance...

Special Educational Needs. (30 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Neither does the Department take lightly any decision to defend cases concerning children with special educational needs. Every effort is made to resolve the issues without going to court. Cases are generally only litigated where no potential settlement is acceptable to both sides and the Government's authority to decide issues of policy is at stake.

Special Educational Needs. (30 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: It is the right of individuals to proceed with litigation if they so wish. In these circumstances, where the Department of Education and Science believes that the education provision available is appropriate it will defend a case. I consider that this is an entirely reasonable approach. The number of cases taken against the State has shown a downward trend in recent times which can be partly...

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (30 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: On 18th December, 2007, the advice given to schools was to hold these bills until the Government had issued a more detailed statement. A more detailed statement in January 2008 advised schools that where arrears exist on bills for water charges, schools should raise the matter with the local authority.

Written Answers — Educational Qualifications: Educational Qualifications (30 Jan 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 890 and 892 together. FETAC does not accredit trainers as individuals, but does approve training institutions and awards. The process is two-fold: firstly a centre or institution must agree its overall quality assurance arrangements with FETAC in compliance with published criteria, and then the actual programme of education or training being offered, including...