Results 8,561-8,580 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (13 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The general process of assessing and planning for the need for additional provision at primary or post-primary level in any given area entails consideration of all relevant factors, including enrolment and demographic trends, housing and other developments and the capacity of existing schools to meet the demand for places. Local Authorities are obliged by statute to refer draft local area...

School Curriculum. (13 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The revised primary curriculum was developed in partnership with key education interests by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and published and launched by my Department in 1999. A copy of the curriculum, in the form of 23 books, was issued to every teacher. Implementation has been effected on a phased basis, supported by national programmes of professional development for...

School Curriculum. (13 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: There is a value to putting circulars on a regulatory basis. As I stated, the curriculum is not currently on a basis of regulation. That does not mean it cannot be implemented, as can any of the other instructions given to schools. The High Court has found in the past that items such as circulars have legal effect. It would be valuable to put the circulars on a statutory footing, removing...

School Curriculum. (13 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: No, it is not on foot of that.

School Curriculum. (13 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: There is absolutely no need to sign circulars into law. Over the years, the courts have clearly determined that rules, regulations and circulars have been given a legal basis and have the same understanding as if laid down in law. Where circulars have been issued, they do have a standing and status and must be implemented. The only development in the referred court case was that the court...

School Curriculum. (13 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Officials in the Department have been working for some time on the regulations for the primary school curriculum. The circular which I issued in the summer relating to teanga oideachais has sufficient basis and there is no need to put it on a statutory footing.

School Curriculum. (13 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I do not believe I have advice that I must put it on a statutory footing.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio. (13 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The referred commitment in the programme for Government relates to a reduction in class sizes, through improvements in the staffing schedule by which classroom teachers are assigned to schools. The pupil-teacher ratio on the other hand, counts all the teachers in schools, not only those employed as mainstream classroom teachers, but also those working in areas such as resource teaching and...

Pupil-Teacher Ratio. (13 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: No, it is unfair to say there are teachers in schools whom pupils may never see. The people who are not counted in class-size number are the principal, deputy principal, home-school liaison officers, resource, learning support and special needs teachers. These are staff the pupils will see every day but they are not teaching, say, Irish, English, maths, history, geography in the classroom....

Pupil-Teacher Ratio. (13 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Class size may be an issue for the parent whose child does not need anything extra. The special needs and resource teachers are necessary for the child who has a learning difficulty. The 1,800 teachers who teach nothing but English to newcomers are important for the children who do not speak English. The home-school community liaison teacher is important for the parent who needs support to...

School Admissions. (13 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The Education Act 1998 requires all schools to have in place an admissions policy, detailing admission to and participation by students, including those with special needs, in the school. An agreement was reached in 1993 between the Department and the national representatives of the managerial associations regarding selection of pupils on the basis of academic ability. While school...

School Admissions. (13 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: An audit was conducted of approximately 50% of schools examining the treatment of those with special needs, Travellers, newcomers etc. I am not inclined to publish it because that might give rise to league tables in certain areas which would pressurise the schools that take a significant number of children with special needs. Publishing results for an area could give the impression that a...

Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Tá Gaeltacht ina dáilcheantair.

Early School Leavers. (13 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The emphasis placed by Government on tackling educational disadvantage in recent years is unprecedented. Since 2003, we have increased investment in educational inclusion measures at all levels by no less than 60%, spending €730 million in 2007. We are determined to ensure that young people from disadvantaged areas get the support they need to encourage them to finish school. To this...

Early School Leavers. (13 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The Deputy is referring to the census figures but these figures do not agree with the Department's estimate of participation rates for 15 year olds.

Early School Leavers. (13 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: It is widely accepted that the participation rate of 15 year old students is within 0.5% of the total numbers. Clarification on this question was sought from the Central Statistics Office and the Taoiseach answered a question on it last week when he stated: "It should be borne in mind that the figures for persons aged 15 years may be affected by the fact that this age was used in a filter...

Early School Leavers. (13 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The information I gave in respect of the census was that given by the Taoiseach in reply to the same question last week on the 15 year olds and it is a valid answer. The National Educational Welfare Board is one part of the picture. It has 109 people employed currently doing very valuable work throughout the country.

Early School Leavers. (13 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: No. There are 109 people employed in the National Educational Welfare Board.

Early School Leavers. (13 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: There are 620 people working directly with young people at risk of dropping out of school and the work they do is just as valuable. They are the home school community liaison people who are a link between the parents and the schools to ensure the children stay on in school. They are the school completion fund programme co-ordinators who organise activities such as transition into primary...

Early School Leavers. (13 Nov 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The changes in curriculum have also ensured that young people stay on in school.