Results 9,201-9,220 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin
- Departmental Staff. (2 Oct 2007)
Mary Hanafin: The question was put in the past tense, namely, when I established the unit.
- Departmental Staff. (2 Oct 2007)
Mary Hanafin: The answer I set out was that we are in the process of establishing the unit.
- Departmental Staff. (2 Oct 2007)
Mary Hanafin: It is in the programme for Government.
- Departmental Staff. (2 Oct 2007)
Mary Hanafin: If I may remind the Deputy of my comments, the administrative and technical staffing arrangements and the grading and reporting structures are under consideration. This does not mean we are not planning.
- Departmental Staff. (2 Oct 2007)
Mary Hanafin: For many years, the Department has had a full planning and building unit with many staff. It has worked constantly with local authorities to devise area development plans.
- Departmental Staff. (2 Oct 2007)
Mary Hanafin: I doubt it. Due to the co-operation of people who are willing to provide extra spaces and schools, there is no problem in Balbriggan.
- Departmental Staff. (2 Oct 2007)
Mary Hanafin: The people of Balbriggan are upset by allegations of racism against them when that was not the case. The Department of Education and Science has a strong development and planning unit and close links with the local councils, which are obliged to notify and consult with the Department on zonings and developments. During the coming weeks, we will be tightening up on the individuals involved...
- School Placement. (2 Oct 2007)
Mary Hanafin: In recent years, unprecedented levels of investment to provide existing school facilities and extra school places where needed and forward planning has ensured greater co-operation. This combination of investment and planning has allowed school extensions to be built across the country and many new schools to be built to meet the needs of developing areas. I beg the Deputy's pardon. I have...
- School Placement. (2 Oct 2007)
Mary Hanafin: I do not wish to repeat myself.
- School Placement. (2 Oct 2007)
Mary Hanafin: I can, but I did not want to mislead the House. I apologise for the replication in my notes. The question refers to ensuring that all children have access to primary school places in September. I have outlined the issues concerning school planning, area development plans, the NDP, the provision of money and ensuring diversity in education. The procedure to establish new schools involves...
- School Placement. (2 Oct 2007)
Mary Hanafin: It is not fair to accuse the Catholic Church of excluding children.
- School Placement. (2 Oct 2007)
Mary Hanafin: I understood that is what the Deputy said because in fairness to schools I have visited all over the country, one sees in them children of various ethnic and religious backgrounds. They are all being welcomed into the schools.
- School Placement. (2 Oct 2007)
Mary Hanafin: I know. Then there is no dispute about that. What has been emerging in recent years is demand for greater diversity. The priority must continue to be the provision of places with the provision of diversity as the second priority. Increasingly, newer schools, which are largely being provided in developing areas, are multidenominational. To accommodate the needs of the new Ireland and new...
- School Placement. (2 Oct 2007)
Mary Hanafin: The issue of diversity is being addressed. For example, among the schools that have indicated an intention to open next year, applications have been made for five new Islamic schools. That is certainly more diverse than the current situation. The new patronage model was not announced 12 months ago; it was announced in February of this year. At the time, I announced the school would open...
- School Placement. (2 Oct 2007)
Mary Hanafin: It is a patronage model.
- School Funding. (2 Oct 2007)
Mary Hanafin: Funding to schools to cover their day-to-day running costs has increased substantially in recent years. Indeed, this year schools benefited from the largest ever increase in capitation grant. With increases in capitation and ancillary services funding, primary schools are now getting â¬95 more per pupil per year than they were in 2002. The capitation grant has been increased to â¬163.58...
- School Funding. (2 Oct 2007)
Mary Hanafin: As I noted, the capitation grant has increased substantially over several years. It is our hope under the programme for Government to double the rate for primary schools and substantially increase ancillary services and supports grants in recognition of the increased costs faced by schools and the way in which capitation funds are used. Of the individual schools which received support, one...
- School Funding. (2 Oct 2007)
Mary Hanafin: It is our intention to double capitation over the lifetime of this Government and I accept that this action is needed. The amount that can be achieved in any year depends upon the Estimates and budget. Regarding the DEIS scheme, priority funding goes to band one schools. Of the amount of money I previously mentioned, an additional â¬13.4 million goes to 670 primary schools and 203...
- Computerisation Programme. (2 Oct 2007)
Mary Hanafin: The Government is determined to ensure that all students have the opportunity to acquire good information technology, IT, skills that will stand to them throughout their lives. Equally, we are committed to realising the potential of information and communication technology, ICT, to improve the educational experience across the broad range of subjects taught in our schools. The investment of...
- Computerisation Programme. (2 Oct 2007)
Mary Hanafin: I genuinely do not believe that the provision of a laptop for every student is the best use of resources or the way to promote an e-learning culture in a school. It is as important to ensure there is proper teacher training, proper technical support and good software and hardware that is relevant to the whole school. I am not convinced of the value of the provision of an interactive...