Results 981-1,000 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Third Level Drop-out Rates: Third Level Drop-out Rates (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The HEA report on progression rates in higher education highlighted a number of factors that strongly influence the likelihood of a student's progression from first year into second year. The factor found to most influence likely progression from first year into second year is the prior educational attainment of the student, with good performance in Leaving Cert mathematics particularly...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The terms of reference for the High Level Group which was established to develop proposals for a new national strategy for higher education provided for an extensive examination of all issues relating to the future development of the higher education sector. The Group has now completed its work and I am now consulting with my Government colleagues in relation to its report. The timeframe for...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 90 together. Pupil numbers at both primary and post-primary level continue to increase. The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on my Department's website. In terms of the position at individual school level the key factor for determining the level of resources provided by my Department is the pupil enrolment...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy is aware my Department is engaged in the process of acquiring a site and to this end has applied for planning permission as part of the exchange of contracts. My officials have arranged a meeting with the planning authority in the coming weeks to discuss and address issues raised by them on foot of the application.

Written Answers — Student Registration Fee: Student Registration Fee (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82, 124 and 164 together. As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, I am not in a position to comment on budgetary proposals. Speculation on any decision in relation to student registration fees is just that, speculation. The Student Services Charge is levied by the Higher Education institutions to defray the costs of examinations, registration and student...

Written Answers — Public Sector Pay: Public Sector Pay (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I can inform the Deputy that my Department has submitted it's draft Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 Action Plan to the Department of Finance for inclusion in an overall Civil and Public Service Action Plan. I understand that the composite Action Plan is currently being prepared by the Department of Finance for submission to the Implementation Body in the near future. My Department's...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: There are currently 90 personnel employed in temporary full-time positions in primary schools and 150 employed in regular part-time posts that are in receipt of the unqualified rate of pay. There are 92 personnel employed in temporary and regular part-time positions in secondary, community and comprehensive schools at present that are in receipt of the unqualified rate of pay. These figures...

Written Answers — Education Reform: Education Reform (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Report Smart Schools Smart Economy sets out a range of recommendations which are designed to strengthen the integration of ICT in teaching and learning in primary and post primary schools. The Report recommends an investment of €150m over 3 years to improve the ICT infrastructure, expand professional development for teachers, enhance the digital content available in support of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy will appreciate that the preparation of the Budget is carried out on a strictly confidential basis and as a result it would not be appropriate for me to comment on specific matters in advance of the formal announcements involved. The Government has made it clear that difficult budgetary decisions will be necessary across the broad spectrum of public expenditure in order to secure...

Written Answers — Third Level Access: Third Level Access (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: While the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in the format requested, I can provide information on percentage participation rates in the various categories of students from 1998 and provide details of the new targets that have been set in the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2008-13. In 1998 the overall participation rate in higher education...

Written Answers — Aitheantas Scoile: Aitheantas Scoile (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Mar a chuir me in iúl cheana don Teach seo, tá an Coimisiún um Chóiríocht Scoileanna faoi láthair ag athbhreithniú na nósanna imeachta do bhunscoileanna nua a bhunú. Nuair a d'fhógair an tAire a chuaigh romham go raibh an t-athbhreithniú ag tosnú, dúirt sé nach mbunófaí bunscoil nua ar bith go dtí go mbeadh an t-athbhreithniú curtha i gcrích ach amháin i gcásanna ina...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97, 129 and 175 together. The process of assessing and paying third level or further education grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC. I am aware that the timing of payment varies between the 66 awarding authorities depending on a number of variables including the volume of applications received, staffing resources and whether or not...

Written Answers — School Placement: School Placement (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: As I have previously outlined to the Deputy, the Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of analysing all areas in the country in order to determine the level of additional provision which will be required at both primary and post primary level up to 2017. Overall post-primary requirements in the East Cork area will be considered in this context. The delivery of any...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I wish to assure the Deputy that I am committed to supporting education in schools under Protestant management, while at the same time ensuring that funding arrangements are in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. In this regard, I had a useful meeting with Protestant educational representatives on 9 September last. At the conclusion of that meeting, we agreed to continue our...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: As outlined in the table, Community Employment (CE) scheme participant standard payments are made up of the individual's social welfare entitlement and a participation bonus. The Jobseeker's Allowance was reduced by 4.1% and the participation bonus by 18% in the December 2009 budget. However, CE participants continue to receive a €20 per week participation bonus over the Jobseeker's...

Written Answers — European Globalisation Fund: European Globalisation Fund (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) application approved in support of redundant workers at the DELL computer manufacturing plant in Raheen, Co. Limerick also encompasses redundant workers at a number of ancillary enterprises. Only workers of those specific enterprises, and who meet all relevant EGF criteria, are eligible for EGF co-financed supports in the areas of...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The key aim of the Transition Year Programme is to provide for a strong focus on personal development, collaborative and experiential learning, learning in the community and work experience. The programme is also designed to enable students to experience a wide range of educational inputs, and sample subjects which have not been taken at lower second level. It is a maturing process and a...

Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Board: Residential Institutions Redress Board (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Having sought information from the Residential Institutions Redress Board, I can advise the Deputy that between 2002 and 2005, as well as distributing 7,500 leaflets and 7,500 pamphlets to the network of Irish Societies, and holding 12 information days throughout England, the Board placed advertisements in the selected U.K. publications listed in April and November 2004, July 2005 and...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has recently concluded its examination of the long term use of the building referred to by the Deputy and has determined that it is not going to continue with the operation of the facility. Accordingly, the Board of Management were advised that in the circumstances it would be appropriate to make the Caretaker post in respect of the facility redundant. I am advised that as part...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (9 Nov 2010)

Mary Coughlan: My Department is awaiting contracts from Fingal County Council. Once this acquisition is concluded, the proposed building project will be considered in the context of the capital budget available to my Department for school buildings generally.