Results 10,261-10,280 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

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

Mary Hanafin: The Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act was enacted in July 2004. The following sections have been commenced:- 1, 2, 14(1)(a), 14(1)(c), 14(2) to 14(4), 19 to 37, 40 to 44, 45-49 and 50 to 53. The remaining sections have not yet been commenced. The remaining sections relate mainly to the statutory assessment and education plan process for which the Act provides. These...

Written Answers — Court Cases: Court Cases (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: There are approximately 250 cases before the Courts which my Department is currently engaged in. These cases include litigation relating to Primary Schools, Community and Comprehensive Schools, Children Detention Schools, Special Educational Needs, school non-attendance, school transport, litigation arising from industrial relations actions, contractual disputes and a diverse range of...

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

Mary Hanafin: Officials of the NCSE have met regularly with my Department's officials on a range of matters including issues in relation to post-primary special education. The NCSE recently submitted its Implementation Report to me, which sets out its views and recommendations on a plan for the implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs, (EPSEN) Act 2004. The report is...

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

Mary Hanafin: The Deputy will be aware that recently I announced the schools which are to benefit from the 200 extra language support posts provided for in the 2007 Estimates. These extra 200 posts will bring the total number of language support teachers in our schools to 1,450. These new resources are intended for schools with large numbers of pupils who do not have English as a first language. Under...

Written Answers — Literacy Levels: Literacy Levels (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The achievement of high literacy standards is one of the primary goals of education. I am very conscious of the fact that high levels of literacy are fundamental prerequisites for full educational, social and economic participation, and the Government is redoubling its efforts to promote these. Schools generally have relatively low proportions of children with significant literacy...

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 primary schools. My Department's design guidelines include, where appropriate for PE Halls, general...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The majority of the 412 schools currently participating in the School Completion Programme operate breakfast clubs or other meal provision, in accordance with the Nutritional Guidelines issued by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. In addition to the funding provided through the School Completion Programme, the provision of school meals is primarily funded by the School Meals...

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

Mary Hanafin: DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools), the new action plan for educational inclusion provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and a new integrated School Support Programme (SSP). The DEIS plan states that as well as provision being made for schools with a concentrated level of disadvantage, financial support will also continue to be provided...

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

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 77 together. As the Deputies will be aware, the National Development Plan 2007-2013 provides for investment of €252m in the ICT in Schools Programme and I will be publishing a comprehensive new strategy for ICT in Schools covering the period to 2013. The new strategy will aim to develop an e-Learning culture in our schools that will ensure that ICT...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: As part of the multi-annual school building programme my Department has invested heavily in modernising school facilities throughout the country including science facilities in post-primary schools. Typically this investment involves the provision of modern science facilities in new post-primary schools or the upgrading of science facilities in existing schools either as part of a school...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The main manner in which expenditure is formally evaluated in my Department is through the Government programme of Value for Money Reviews, formerly called Expenditure Reviews. The objectives of these reviews, which were introduced in 1997, are to analyse Exchequer funding in a systematic manner and to provide a basis on which more informed policy and expenditure decisions can be made. At...

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

Mary Hanafin: Primary schools' running costs are met by my Department's scheme of capitation grants. These grants are intended to contribute towards the general operating costs of schools which would include heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, painting, teaching aids and other miscellaneous charges. The primary school capitation grant has been increased substantially in recent years. Since 1997 the...

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

Mary Hanafin: The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30th September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is issued to all primary schools each year. The Staffing Schedule (Primary Circular 0020/2007) for the 2007/2008 school year is available...

Written Answers — Early School Leavers: Early School Leavers (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: On the annual census form filled in by primary school principals we ask them to provide information on: (A) The number of leavers (excluding those who emigrated) who did not go to any school within the State, and; (B) The number of leavers whose destination is unknown. Data compiled from the census forms shows that in the 12 month period ending 30 September 2005, 263 children left who as far...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Implementation of the recommendation of the fifth report of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs presents challenges which span the entire education system. These challenges relate to the output and quality of further and higher education, raising school completion rates and educational attainment, ensuring that we enhance the educational outcomes for young people, and providing...

Written Answers — Commercial Promotions: Commercial Promotions (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Three official Circulars (i.e. Circulars 23/84, 7/87 and 38/91) have issued from my Department to school authorities concerning the promotion and marketing of commercial products through schools. The Circulars noted concern at the pressure on schools from time to time to become involved in the marketing and promotion of commercial products. Private companies are free to promote their...

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

Mary Hanafin: A new primary school will be commencing operation in Newbridge in September 2007 under Catholic Patronage. The VEC has agreed to the use of a portion of its existing school site for a temporary location for the school and planning permission is being sought for this accommodation solution. The Department is pursuing a reserved site for the permanent location for the school.

Written Answers — Central Applications Office: Central Applications Office (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The Central Applications Office (CAO) is a private company limited by guarantee which processes applications centrally on behalf of third level institutions. My Department does not have any function in relation to the operational arrangements of the CAO. However, I have made my concerns known to the CAO in relation to the difficulties it experienced with its computer facilities and the need...

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

Mary Hanafin: The latest information available to my Department on the number of schools offering specific subjects relates to the 2005/06 school year and 449 second-level schools offered music in senior cycle in 2005/06. The Deputy will be aware that the decision as to which subjects to offer is made at the level of the individual school, subject to compliance with my Department's regulations concerning...

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

Mary Hanafin: The Road Safety Authority has already commenced work on a number of key areas including the development of a Road Safety programme for use in Transition Year. This work is being undertaken in co-operation with my Department and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. I believe that schools have a role to play both in teaching students about road safety issues and in helping them...