Results 12,481-12,500 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Schools Amalgamation. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: A larger health and safety issue would arise if an unsuitable site was used for a school building. The patron and council are in discussions regarding the boys' school. The Department wrote to the patron on 25 September, almost a month ago, seeking an update but has not received a reply. Perhaps the Deputy will contact the patron to ascertain the latest position. The Department will be...

Schools Amalgamation. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: At the moment, we do not have a site for either school.

School Curriculum. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has prioritised improvements in science education at all levels, from primary school science to advanced fourth level research. Progress has been made in a wide range of areas in recent years. A new science curriculum has been introduced at primary level supported by a resource grant in December 2004 of €1,000 per school plus €10 per pupil. A...

School Curriculum. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I am not prepared to give a commitment on laboratory technicians. It is important to continue to invest in the curriculum, syllabus and science laboratories and in supporting and training teachers. Next spring, I expect to receive from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment proposals on assessment at senior level and other matters. Changes to the primary school curriculum have...

School Curriculum. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: As part of the summer works scheme last year and this year, the Department invested significant amounts in developing and expanding science laboratories. With the exception of schools that formed part of larger building projects, all schools that applied for funding to upgrade their laboratories received grants. I look forward to finding out which schools applied for funding for this year....

School Curriculum. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: There is no reason that schools cannot offer science subjects. The fact that 86% of students are studying science at junior certificate level should encourage many more to study it to leaving certificate level. There is a teacher in every second level school for every 13 students and it is up to the local schools to decide, based on the demands of their students and the ability of their...

Literacy Levels. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: This Government is committed to doing everything it can to improve literacy levels in disadvantaged areas. We are conscious of the fact that good levels of literacy and numeracy are fundamental prerequisites for full educational and social participation, and we are redoubling our efforts to promote these. A key underlying principle of DEIS, the action plan for educational inclusion, is that...

Literacy Levels. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The Comptroller and Auditor General, in his statement, welcomed DEIS and the fact that it will co-ordinate the resources and services that are available. Although this country has a high standard of literacy, there is no doubt that those at the bottom are not doing well. It is significant that in surveys carried out by the Department on literacy levels in disadvantaged schools the findings...

Literacy Levels. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: We have a team with that specific task. A national literacy tutor has been appointed to ensure that the targets are being met. When we are spending €640 million on disadvantage, we must ensure we are getting the best value for money and that we are targeting those children. The general allocation model was bedded down before DEIS commenced. DEIS is only being implemented this year...

Literacy Levels. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Schools have not lost anything under the general allocation model.

Literacy Levels. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: For the first time every school in the country has an allocation of teachers to deal with children with learning difficulties. DEIS ensures that the schools get even more to add to what they already have.

Literacy Levels. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: With regard to literacy and numeracy, a new advisory service has been established. A deputy national co-ordinator has been appointed as well as five additional cuiditheoirí tutors to deal with literacy and numeracy throughout the country. The schools have already signed up so it is compulsory that they do standardised testing. The results of those tests must be made available.

Higher Education Grants. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Income from SSIAs is being treated exactly the same as income from similar savings and investment products for the purposes of assessing eligibility for a maintenance grant. This has been the case since SSIAs were introduced. The amount of income to be included in SSIAs is the Government grant earned on the savings in the relevant tax year — in the case of savings accounts, the gross...

Higher Education Grants. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The important point is that the limits increased in each year by far more than what any saver would have accrued via his or her SSIA and the interest attaching thereto. Last year, the limit was €33,890 for the 100% maintenance grant. This year, it is €35,485. If one is only receiving €785 plus some interest, the limit increase far outweighs what one would have received from one's...

Higher Education Grants. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: ——and not take into account the money people earned from SSIAs. It is not the money saved that is being taken into account; it is only the grants and interest received. Income limits were increased generously over last year — they have been increased in every year, particularly the first, since the SSIA scheme was put in place — and students should not feel in any way penalised in...

Higher Education Grants. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: There is no difference in the reckonable income this year compared to that which applied last year or the year before.

Higher Education Grants. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The only money that has been taken into account is the interest raised in that previous year.

Higher Education Grants. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: However, it is income and it is there to be taken into account.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 120 together. The parental representations to which Deputy Crowe's question refers were given to me in the form of a petition by the INTO. In response to that petition, I wrote to all schools pointing out the huge progress that has been made in providing extra staff to our primary schools in recent years. As the Deputies will be aware, there are now,...

Pupil-Teacher Ratio. (24 Oct 2006)

Mary Hanafin: As already stated in respect of a previous question, there is no correlation between small classes and higher standards. Reports indicate that this is the case in respect of literacy and maths. Notwithstanding that and in light of the integration of children with special needs and the greater needs that exist in disadvantaged areas, I recognise the importance of reducing class sizes....