Results 11,081-11,100 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin
- School Accommodation. (13 Feb 2007)
Mary Hanafin: The Deputy is the one who talks about the hoary chestnut.
- School Accommodation. (13 Feb 2007)
Mary Hanafin: The schedule for teaching is going out this month. There is a further reduction in class size from this September also. In regard to sites, we reached an agreement with Fingal County Council which means we get good value in sites and in return we provide the enhanced community facilities. That is the type of model that can be used.
- School Accommodation. (13 Feb 2007)
Mary Hanafin: That is the type of model that is being rolled out in other counties also.
- School Accommodation. (13 Feb 2007)
Mary Hanafin: There is one other issue. Some of the delays can be attributed to planning objections.
- School Accommodation. (13 Feb 2007)
Mary Hanafin: It only takes one person to object for a case to go to An Bord Pleanála. That is one of the reasons for the delays.
- Autism Services. (13 Feb 2007)
Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 96 together. The home tuition scheme provides funding to parents to provide education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting a suitable educational placement and also to provide early educational...
- Autism Services. (13 Feb 2007)
Mary Hanafin: Following the review, I am not aware of the individual number of tutors who would qualify. That is the reason parents have been given until the end of this school year to find somebody appropriate. The range of people acceptable is quite broad. Hopefully, those parents will be able to get somebody suitable. In regard to the education of children with autism, significant advances have been...
- Autism Services. (13 Feb 2007)
Mary Hanafin: It is our intention to extend a system throughout the country which meets the needs of children but it is not our intention to run parallel systems. Parents of children in mainstream schools also express great satisfaction and particularly parents of children in autistic units. Obviously we have to ensure the needs of individual children are met. Teachers are being trained in PECS, TEACCH...
- Autism Services. (13 Feb 2007)
Mary Hanafin: The home tuition grant is, after all, an education tuition grant so we feel quite strongly that it is important the people delivering this service are appropriately qualified. This is why, following consultation with people, it was said to be fairly broad in respect of qualifications. It would not be possible to start taking on people just because families were used to them, difficult...
- Autism Services. (13 Feb 2007)
Mary Hanafin: I am not even sure if a correspondence course would be acceptable. It sets out that it must be an official certificate or diploma course ratified by a university, college or organisation. A short course or certificate is not acceptable. We should remember that the home tuition scheme has been working for many years and people have had no difficulty in getting locally based people who are...
- Autism Services. (13 Feb 2007)
Mary Hanafin: In respect of the autism units which are attached to mainstream schools, the ratio is six children to one teacher and two special needs assistants. This is exactly what is on offer to the Educate Together school in Celbridge. I share the Deputy's annoyance as to why a purpose-built unit for children with autism in this school has not been opened, but the fault does not rest with the...
- Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2007)
Mary Hanafin: Disadvantaged children have smaller classes.
- Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2007)
Mary Hanafin: The Deputy asked aboutââ
- Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (8 Feb 2007)
Mary Hanafin: In order to ensure that children whose first language is not English can succeed at school, my Department gives additional support to their schools which can take the form of financial assistance, additional teaching posts or portions of teacher posts. The level of extra financial or teaching support provided to any school is determined by the numbers of eligible non-English speaking...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (8 Feb 2007)
Mary Hanafin: The school to which the Deputy refers has not actually yet acquired a site although it is understood that a potential site has been identified. Progress on the building project itself will be considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme when the site has been acquired.
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (8 Feb 2007)
Mary Hanafin: There are two national schools in the area to which the Deputy refers. I recently gave approval for the appointment of a Design Team for a major extension project at one of the schools to meet future needs. It is open to either of the schools to apply for temporary accommodation to meet short term needs. The relevant application forms are available on the Department's website...
- Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (8 Feb 2007)
Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 243 together. The school to which the Deputies refer has applied to the Department for temporary accommodation to cater for an increased demand for pupil places in 2007/08. This application is being assessed and the school authority will be advised of the outcome shortly.
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (8 Feb 2007)
Mary Hanafin: The school to which the Deputy refers has not applied to the Department for either extra classroom accommodation or for an improved staffroom. It has applied for a GP room. This application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and has been assigned a Band 3 rating. Progress on the project is being considered in the...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (8 Feb 2007)
Mary Hanafin: The school to which the Deputy refers is a senior school, which is linked to a junior school in Balbriggan. Due to the interdependency of both schools, any development at one will have an impact on the other. The Department is in communication with the Patron body regarding the future development of both schools. The school in question has applied for temporary classrooms to cater for...
- Written Answers — Educational Resources: Educational Resources (8 Feb 2007)
Mary Hanafin: The National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) has not directly undertaken a formal evaluation into the use and effectiveness of interactive whiteboards as a teaching and learning tool. However, there are a number of projects which involve the use of interactive whiteboards, for example the NCTE is involved in a project which explores the use of different technologies, including...