Results 13,061-13,080 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (5 Jul 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Physical Education and sport, although closely linked, are not synonymous. Sport begins with play and develops through games, competition and challenges. Competition in sport contributes to the holistic development of the student, provided that the opportunities presented are such that he/she is progressing towards the achievement of his/her potential. It is government policy to encourage and...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (5 Jul 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 440 to 464, inclusive, together. The information requested by the Deputy is in the following table. Average Ordinary Class size in National Schools, County Westmeath in 2005/2006 Roll No. Name Address Average Class Size 18679Q An Ghrianán N S Moate, County Westmeath 30.0 18764H Ard na gCraith N S Ard na gCraith, Walderstown 21.7...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (5 Jul 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 465 to 489, inclusive, together. The information requested by the Deputy is in the following table: Average Ordinary Class size in National Schools, County Westmeath in 2005/2006 Roll No. Name Address Average Class Size 16961W Kilcumeragh N S Kilcumeragh, MOTA 25.0 19607T Kilpatrick NS Mullingar, County Westmeath 28.8 18812P Loch an Ghair...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (5 Jul 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 490 to 513, inclusive, together. The following table sets out the position. Average Ordinary Class Size in National Schools, County Westmeath in 2005 / 2006 Roll No. Name Address Average Class Size 19350I S N Chruimín Naofa Muilte Farannáin, Contae na hIarmhidhe 28.6 18744B S N na Naomh Uile Mullingar, County Westmeath...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (5 Jul 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The number of whole-time equivalent special need assistants currently employed in national schools and paid on my Department's payroll is 6,587.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (5 Jul 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children, including those with autism receive an education appropriate to their needs. In this regard my Department currently provides the following facilities for the education of children with autism: 162 Special Classes for children with autism, attached to special and mainstream schools; 15 pre-school classes; 5 Special...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (5 Jul 2006)

Mary Hanafin: There are 1,654 whole-time equivalent teachers in place to support pupils with special educational needs at post-primary level.

Written Answers — Capitation Grants: Capitation Grants (5 Jul 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Primary schools' running costs are met by my Department's scheme of capitation grants. These grants are intended to contribute towards the general operating costs of schools which would include heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, painting, teaching aids and other miscellaneous charges. Since 1997 the standard rate of capitation grant has been increased by almost 155%. The standard rate of...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (5 Jul 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The staffing of a primary school for a particular school year is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on the 30th September of the previous school year and by reference to a staffing schedule. This staffing schedule for the 2006/07 school year is outlined in Primary Circular 0023/2006 which was issued to all primary schools. As the Deputy will be aware, major improvements...

Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I move amendment No. 55: In page 23, to delete line 41 and substitute the following: "disadvantaged persons, by persons who have a disability and by persons".

Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I move amendment No. 62: In page 27, line 46, after "be" to insert ", but not later than 3 months,".

Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I move amendment No. 64: In page 29, line 38, after "practicable" to insert "but not later than 12 months". The purpose of this amendment is to place a duty on the governing body of the Dublin Institute of Technology, DIT, to direct its president to prepare a strategic development plan within 12 months of this section's commencement. On Committee Stage I agreed to an identical amendment put...

School Evaluations. (4 Jul 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Last month saw a major advance in terms of the transparency of our education system as school inspection reports became available to the public for the first time. The publication of whole-school evaluation reports in particular will ensure that parents and other stakeholders have access to balanced and fair information on the wide range of activities in which schools are involved. WSE...

School Evaluations. (4 Jul 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Fine Gael's policy is to publish exam results which, by their nature, give rise to league tables.

School Evaluations. (4 Jul 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Irrespective of whether the party advocates local or national league tables, it remains an exclusive and damaging policy.

School Evaluations. (4 Jul 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Recently, I met the UK Secretary of State for Education and Skills and his officials, who outlined the damage done in that country by the publication of results. The Deputy is correct that whole school evaluations are only one element of the evaluation of a school. Evaluations will not be published on each school every year but even parents whose children do not attend schools for which...

School Evaluations. (4 Jul 2006)

Mary Hanafin: All elements of the school community are evaluated, including the crucial part played by boards of management. The evaluation also takes account of school policies, which are developed by boards of management in conjunction with principals, parents and students. From time to time, boards of management do not function properly and have to be replaced by a single manager. In such cases, the...

Disadvantaged Status. (4 Jul 2006)

Mary Hanafin: DEIS provides for a standardised system of identifying levels of disadvantage and a new integrated school support programme. The school support programme will bring together, and build upon, a number of existing interventions in schools with a concentrated level of disadvantage. The process of identifying primary and second level schools for participation in the school support programme was...

Disadvantaged Status. (4 Jul 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Not surprisingly, given the extent of the programme, a number of schools have appealed their exclusion from the programme or the decision to designate them band two or band one status. Approximately 350 schools have appealed, of which 100 were second level. Association is not as important in respect of primary students graduating to secondary school because account is not being taken of...

Disadvantaged Status. (4 Jul 2006)

Mary Hanafin: We have all agreed that the most disadvantaged schools should receive the most targeted support. They are being prioritised and that is the reason they are being given additional staffing. Other measures, such as the reading recovery programme and extra supports for the school completion programme, are being put in place in these schools with immediate effect. We are also working on the...