Results 12,001-12,020 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — School Closures: School Closures (21 Nov 2006)

Mary Hanafin: On 12 October, 2006, the Trustees of this school announced that they would be phasing the closure of this school from September 2007. The school in question is a voluntary secondary school and the decision to withdraw as providers of Education is within the remit of the Patron body, that is the Sisters of Mercy. My Department is examining the implications of the phased closure with a view...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 Nov 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The accommodation needs of the school referred to by the Deputy are under consideration by my Department. A technical assessment of the existing accommodation is now being carried out by my officials with a view to finalising the schedules of accommodation that needs to be provided to meet the school's long term needs. Data in relation to capital expenditure on North Kerry as sought by the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 Nov 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The need for a new school building on a new site for Blennerville National School is acknowledged by my Department. A suitable site has recently been acquired. The building project required to deliver the new school will be progressed in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme 2006-2010.

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (21 Nov 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Earlier this year, the Government arranged a number of events to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Rising. On the education side, one of the initiatives included a special supplement for schools in The Irish Times, including a map of the 1916 locations around Dublin sponsored by my Department. My Department also operates an annual Easter Week 1916 commemoration scholarship...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (21 Nov 2006)

Mary Hanafin: My Department provides a range of supports to second level schools to enable them to cater for students with special educational needs. The supports in question include remedial and additional teaching support, special needs assistant support and funding for the purchase of specialised equipment. As the Deputy is aware, there has been enormous progress made over the past number of years in...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (21 Nov 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The major focus for my Department under the ICT in Schools programme has been the roll-out of broadband connectivity to all recognised schools. This project is being undertaken in partnership with industry, in the context of the joint Government/IBEC — TIF (Telecommunications and Internet Federation) Agreement, to provide local connectivity to schools. The broadband connectivity is being...

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (21 Nov 2006)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy is aware, one of the elements to my Department's DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) plan for education inclusion provides an opportunity for schools participating in the School Support Programme (SSP) to avail of a sabbatical scheme open to both primary and post-primary levels. This sabbatical scheme is being introduced to create opportunities for school...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (21 Nov 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I recognise the unique contribution of special schools and special classes to the education of children with special educational needs and am committed to further developing this area. This is why I have asked my officials to undertake a review of the role of the special school and special class. With inclusion of pupils with special needs becoming a reality for many mainstream schools, it is...

Written Answers — Early Childhood Education: Early Childhood Education (21 Nov 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Early Years Education in Ireland covers the period from birth to six years. My Department is committed to the development of quality early learning opportunities for children. Following on from the publication of the White Paper on Early Childhood Education "Ready to Learn", the Centre for Early Childhood Development was established and this year published a comprehensive draft quality...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (21 Nov 2006)

Mary Hanafin: A new on-line claims web based system (OLCS) which enables Secondary and Community/Comprehensive schools to input claims for the payment of casual and non casual teachers and special need assistants and record teacher absences on line from the school was introduced on the 6th November, 2006. It is proposed to extend the on-line claims system to enable primary schools to submit claims for the...

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (21 Nov 2006)

Mary Hanafin: This year's allocation for special educational needs measures is €820 million.

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (21 Nov 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Tá an-áthas orm a rá that 2007 will be another record year for increased investment in education. With an increase of 10% on last year's Estimates, a net provision of nearly €8.4 billion is being provided to support improvements right across the sector. Comparable figures in the 1997 Estimates show that €2.8 billion was provided for education. In 2002 the figure was €5.1 billion....

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (21 Nov 2006)

Mary Hanafin: A total of 11,000 more teachers have been hired since 1997; unprecedented levels of extra support have been provided for children with special needs and those from disadvantaged areas, while €3 billion has been provided for school building projects, with 1,300 under way this year. Improvements have been made in the curriculum at levels underpinned by substantial investment in teacher...

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (21 Nov 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I am not obliged to give one.

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (21 Nov 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I am also conscious of the demands for extra support at second level as children move from primary school. These will be major priorities for me in the year ahead. The significant increase in the provision for special education in the Estimates speaks volumes for the Government's commitment to focusing extra investment on those who need it most. Our commitment in tackling educational...

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (21 Nov 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Ten years ago the Minister for Education was a member of the Labour Party.

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (21 Nov 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Ten years ago the Minister for Education was a member of the Labour Party. She was Niamh Breathnach.

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (21 Nov 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Niamh Breathnach was Minister for Education until 1997.

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (21 Nov 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Who was Minister for Education from 1992 to 1997? It was Niamh Breathnach.

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (21 Nov 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The Deputy said ten years ago.