Results 10,221-10,240 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: In September 2005 I announced funding of €300 million for an Education PPP Programme comprising of 23 new post-primary schools and 4 new primary schools under a major expansion of the Government's Public Private Partnership Programme from 2006 to 2010. In addition I announced €270 million for the delivery of 17 priority projects in nine third level colleges. Work commenced immediately on...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I am aware of the proposals recently made by Conradh na Gaeilge. These envisage that there would be no exemptions from Irish, that all students would pursue an "Irish language" syllabus at Foundation, Ordinary or Higher Level, and that an "Irish Literature" syllabus would be provided as an additional subject for higher level students, with CAO points to the value of 2 subjects being available...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: In determining the pupil teacher ratio at primary level, all teachers in primary schools are counted. In determining the average class size in primary schools, class teachers are counted. Major improvements have been made in staffing at primary level in recent years. There are now 5,000 more primary teachers than there were in 2002. The average class size in our primary schools is 24 and...

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: A key focus of the Government's education policy is to prioritise investment in favour of those most at risk and to optimise access, participation and outcomes at every level of the system for disadvantaged groups. The wide variety of measures in place for tackling educational disadvantage and social exclusion reflect these concerns. These measures range from pre-school interventions,...

Written Answers — Medical Education: Medical Education (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The results of the competition for post-graduate places in medical education were announced on Tuesday 20th March 2007. Following a competitive process managed by the Higher Education Authority, three bids were received by the closing date of 31st January 2007. The bidders were the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, an Irish Universities Medical Consortium (comprising the medical schools...

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 61 together. The assessment of Irish for the Junior Certificate includes provision for an optional oral examination which is conducted by the class teacher in accordance with guidelines issued by the State Examinations Commission. The decision on whether, or not, to avail of this option is taken at school level. The syllabus for Junior Certificate...

Written Answers — Substance Abuse: Substance Abuse (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 78 together. The development of school substance use policies is the responsibility of the relevant school authorities. Under Action 43 of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008, guidelines for developing a substance use policy were drawn up by my Department in consultation with the Department of Health and Children and the former Health Boards. A...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 26, 31, 35 and 53 together. Under the NDP 2007 to 2013 funding of €4.5 billion will be invested in first and second level schools modernisation and development programme. This will focus on meeting the demands of a growing school population, with an anticipated 100,000 additional primary places over the next seven years. It will address the need for...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The two main priorities under the ICT in Schools Programme over the past few years have been the development of networking capability in schools and the provision of broadband connectivity under the Schools Broadband Access Programme. The existence of an internal network in a school is necessary to enable the school to fully exploit the potential of broadband connectivity. Schools were...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: An application for capital funding from the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed and schedules of accommodation to meet the current and long term accommodation needs of the school have been drawn up. The progression of this project will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local special educational needs organiser (SENO), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs (SEN) supports such as resource teaching and special needs assistant (SNA) support. The teaching and SNA support allocated are intended to enable schools to meet the...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 69 together. My Department is of the view that children with autism, in common with all children should have access to appropriate provision delivered by suitably qualified teachers within the school system where children have greatest opportunity to mix with their wider peer group and have maximum opportunities for integration. My Department's ongoing...

Written Answers — Capitation Grants: Capitation Grants (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Each sector in the education system has specific funding requirements which derive from the length, complexity and nature of the education/training courses being provided. My aim is to ensure that all sectors have adequate resources, including financial resources, to enable schools and colleges to effectively deliver quality education and training programmes. The Deputy will be pleased to...

Written Answers — Pupil Database: Pupil Database (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I am committed to the development of a Primary Pupil database as it will give us valuable data on the pupils in our primary schools as well as enabling us to better track children's progress from primary to post-primary level. The database project is linked to the development of an on-line claims system for schools for the processing of salary claims. The primary pupil database will be...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: In May 2002, my Department approved the provision of 175 additional therapy training places to tackle shortages of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists as identified in the report "Current and Future Supply and Demand Conditions in the Labour Market for Certain Professional Therapists", which was undertaken by Dr. Peter Bacon and Associates in 2001 on...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 47 together. The latest information available to my Department on the number of schools offering specific subjects relates to the 2005/06 school year. 554 second-level schools offered physics to Leaving Certificate level. 69 second-level schools offered the subject Physics and Chemistry to Leaving Certificate level. 550 second-level schools offered...

Written Answers — Bullying in Schools: Bullying in Schools (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Firstly, I would like to assure the Deputy that I am concerned to learn about the outcome of the recent survey by the INTO on the issue of bullying of teachers at primary level. Under the provisions of the Education Act 1998 and the regulations of my Department, the board of management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 states...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The specific information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, the Deputy can be assured that my Department fully recognises the key role of physical exercise within the school environment and continues to respond to the need to improve PE facilities for all pupils attending schools. My Department's design guidelines include, where appropriate for PE Halls, general purpose...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 71 together. The last Census of National Schools took place on 29 September 2006. 3,284 National Schools (including 125 Special Schools) received Statistical Forms. Of these 13 schools have still not returned their census form. In regard to schools that have still failed to return information for the primary school database, my Department could...

Written Answers — Third Level Charges: Third Level Charges (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 41 together. The student charge is levied by third level institutions to defray the costs of examinations, registration and students services. All students who are eligible for means tested student support grant have the student charge paid on their behalf by the Local Authorities or the Vocational Education Committees, in addition to any maintenance...