Results 10,541-10,560 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — School Placement: School Placement (20 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 885 and 886 together. It is a fundamental principle of the Free Post-Primary Education Scheme that no charge is made in respect of: instruction in any subject of my Department's programme for Secondary Schools; recreation or study facilities where all the pupils are expected to avail themselves of these as part of the school programme; any other activities in...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (20 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The primary school curriculum is available on CD-Rom from the Government Publications Office. Both the Primary and revised subjects on the Post Primary curriculum are available for download in pdf format from both the NCCA and Department of Education & Science websites. (www.curriculumonline.ie) At present the subjects on the education curriculum at post primary level are not available on CD...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (20 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Devolving funding to school management authorities allows them to have control of their projects, assists in moving projects more quickly to tender and construction and can also deliver better value for money. The two Devolved Schemes, the Small Schools Scheme and the Permanent Accommodation Scheme, were originally introduced in 2003 on a pilot basis and due to the positive feedback from...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (20 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has put in place a range of teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs, including those with Down Syndrome. The professionally-assessed needs of the individual child determine the appropriate model of response in each case. Children with Down Syndrome are entitled to additional provision in school, either under the terms...

Written Answers — Oibreacha Feabhsúcháin Scoile: Oibreacha Feabhsúcháin Scoile (20 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Fuarthas iarratas ar fhorleathnú ón scoil dá dtagrann an Teachta. Measúnaíodh an t-iarratas de réir na gcritéar foilsithe tosaíochta agus tá sé dá bhreithniú i gcomhthéacs an Chlár ilbhlianach Tógála agus Nuachóirithe Scoileanna.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (20 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: In order to address the short term accommodation needs of the school referred to by the Deputy, the Department gave approval to the school authority to rent a portakabin for use as a resource classroom. It would appear that the school may be suitable for consideration under the Small Schools Scheme initiative and should the school authority wish to apply for funding for an extension they may...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (20 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: An application for capital funding has been received from the school to which the Deputy refers. This application is currently being assessed with reference to current and projected pupil enrolments, on-going and planned housing developments and other demographic factors. The final determination of the long term accommodation needs of the school will help inform a decision as to whether a...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (20 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I am aware that many areas located within close proximity to Dublin, similar to those referred to by the Deputy, continue to experience population growth, a position that almost inevitably places some strain on existing educational provision. In order to proactively plan for such areas of increased growth my Department is included among the prescribed authorities to whom local authorities...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (20 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I understand that the National Council for Special Education has sanctioned a class for children with autistic spectrum disorder in the school referred to by the Deputy. My Department's School Building Unit has approved a devolved grant to the school management authority for the provision of an autism classroom and ancillary accommodation, and officials from my Department have been in...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (20 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The future needs for primary school accommodation in the Tramore area are being assessed in the context of applications on hands for major capital funding from a number of schools. In common with all such applications, the Department carries out a detailed examination of the demographics of an area together with planned housing developments etc. to ensure that any planned capital investment...

Written Answers — School Services Staff: School Services Staff (20 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 901 and 902 together. In 2006 I introduced, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, pension arrangements for caretaking staff employed under the 1979 Scheme. These arrangements provide that membership of the pension scheme will be effective from 1 September 2001 in the case of eligible caretakers in service at that time. The pension scheme will be...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 903 and 904 together. Under the Remote Area Grant scheme, provision exists for the payment of grants towards boarding or lodging fees in respect of pupils who satisfy certain eligibility criteria in respect of remoteness from the nearest school providing suitable free second level education. The detailed information requested by the Deputy is not readily...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (20 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: There are currently 11 one teacher schools at primary level. This figure does not include hospital or special schools. Details of the names and addresses of the schools are given in the attachment provided. 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...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (20 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: Twenty seven (27) officers from my Department have transferred under the programme of decentralisation either directly to their location of choice or they relocated there within a very short period of their initial transfer. This information is available as it was known to my Department when these transfers were arranged. There are no records in my Department regarding the current...

Written Answers — Third Level Charges: Third Level Charges (20 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: 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 grant and tuition fee grant they are entitled to. The...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (20 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: My Department is committed to delivering quality services that meet the needs of customers. The Department's Customer Charter reinforces the commitment to provide equality of access to services to all customers, including those with a disability. My Department accepts calls through Eircom's National Relay Service. This service allows for the receipt and translation of text messages into voice...

Garda Stations. (20 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I thank Deputy Donovan for raising this issue and affording me the opportunity to explain the position regarding Dunmanway Garda station. I am responding on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell. The Minister visited the station in October 2005 on foot of the Deputy's request and made contact with local gardaí in the temporary station....

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (20 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: The increased allocation will ensure that, for the first time, each school will have resource teaching to meet children's individual needs. That was the priority that we set, and I stand by it. We have put a team of 80 local special educational needs organisers on the ground to work with parents and teachers and help them get the appropriate support for their children. At second level,...

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (20 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I wish to share my time with Deputy Carey.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (20 Mar 2007)

Mary Hanafin: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: commends the Government on putting 10,000 more teachers in place; supports the priority given in recent years to providing vastly improved services for children with special needs and those from disadvantaged areas; notes that as a result approximately 50,000 children from disadvantaged areas are...