Results 11,481-11,500 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (14 Dec 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Officials of my Department contacted the Higher Education Grants Section of Mayo County Council concerning the candidate referred to by the Deputy. Mayo County Council confirmed that the candidate was not eligible for the Top-Up grant as the reckonable income exceeded the prescribed limit for the academic year 2006-07, which is €16,748. I regret that it is not possible to award the top-up...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (14 Dec 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The pupil referred to by the Deputy is currently enrolled in a special class with a pupil teacher ratio of 6:1. I understand that the pupil also has the support of an individual special needs assistant (SNA). As the Deputy is aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local special educational needs organisers (SENO), is responsible for processing applications from...

Written Answers — Home-School Liaison Scheme: Home-School Liaison Scheme (14 Dec 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 370 together. As the Deputies are aware 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. Having reviewed a...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (14 Dec 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications for special educational needs supports from primary and post primary schools. Special Need Assistant (SNA) support is provided specifically to address the care needs of pupils with special educational...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (14 Dec 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 363 together. The school referred to by the Deputy has applied for funding under the Summer Works Scheme 2007 for the provision of Science and Home Economics Specialist Rooms. My Department is currently assessing all applications received from schools for funding under this programme. The list of successful applicants will be published as soon as...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (14 Dec 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 360 and 364 together. 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...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (14 Dec 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children included those with autism receive an education appropriate to their needs. Officials from my Department, the National Council for Special Education and the Health Service Executive met with members of the Board of Management of the school in June 2006 in order to progress the opening of the unit and the NCSE has...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (14 Dec 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The pupils referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for school transport to the school in question as they reside in a 'closed school area'. In the case of amalgamations, pupils residing in a 'closed school area' are eligible to the school of amalgamation only. The parents/pupils should check with their local Bus Éireann office regarding the availability of spare seating and any other...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (14 Dec 2006)

Mary Hanafin: A technical assessment has been carried out on the buildings to which the Deputy refers. On foot of this report, the Department will be liaising with the school authorities concerned to advance the projects as quickly as possible.

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (14 Dec 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The Department is aware of the need to re-locate the school to which the Deputy refers. Possible accommodation solutions are currently under consideration and when a decision has been taken the school authority will be contacted directly.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (14 Dec 2006)

Mary Hanafin: As part of the expansion of the devolved scheme for primary school building works, a grant of €820,000 was sanctioned in March 2006 under the Small Schools Scheme to enable the management authority of the school in question to provide a new three classroom school. The Devolved Initiative allows Boards of Management to address their accommodation and building priorities with a guaranteed...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (14 Dec 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The Higher Education Grants Scheme operates under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992. An approved institution is defined to mean a university, college or other institution of higher education in so far as it provides a course, or courses, of not less than two years duration at Undergraduate level and not less than one years duration at Postgraduate level, being...

Citizens Information Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The issue raised by the Deputy has been checked and the plural of the word is the correct version and, for that reason, it is not proposed to accept the amendment.

Citizens Information Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2006)

Mary Hanafin: It is not being accepted.

Citizens Information Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I am assured by the officials that they have confirmed this is the correct form.

Citizens Information Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The main purpose in including the citizens information services and citizens information centres in the definition of "voluntary bodies" is to provide statutory recognition for these frontline services, which form the primary channel through which information on social and civil rights and entitlements is provided to the public. However, the Deputy is questioning the use of the word...

Citizens Information Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2006)

Mary Hanafin: This was checked with Comhairle prior to the drafting of the legislation to ensure the correct form was used.

Citizens Information Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2006)

Mary Hanafin: They are fully funded by Comhairle.

Citizens Information Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2006)

Mary Hanafin: It is not my intention to accept this amendment because the definition of social service is broad ranging and includes what Deputy Boyle is trying to add.

Written Answers — Third Level Places: Third Level Places (13 Dec 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The universities are autonomous institutions. My Department does not have any function in their day-to-day operational affairs. The universities receive a block grant from the Higher Education Authority. It is a matter for each institution to determine how it is allocated internally.