Results 13,741-13,760 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — School Vending Machines: School Vending Machines (25 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: In the case of the existing five PPP schools while the Operator is responsible for the vending machines the location, content and availability of the machines were agreed through discussion between the Operator and the School Authorities concerned. For instance, timers are fitted to all of the vending machines to ensure that students only have access to the machines at the times agreed by the...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (25 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The school to which the Deputy refers is privately owned and managed by the Christian Brothers. In recent weeks the Order took a decision to close the school with effect from the end of the current school year. I am already on record as saying that closing the school at such short notice is an extremely unusual decision which is understandably very upsetting and distressing for the parents,...

Written Answers — Psychological Service: Psychological Service (25 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: All primary and post primary schools in Limerick have access to psychological assessments either directly through my Department's National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) or through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) that is administered by NEPS and full details of which are available on my Department's website. There are 37 post primary schools located in...

Written Answers — Psychological Service: Psychological Service (25 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: All primary and post primary schools in Tipperary North Riding have access to psychological assessments either directly through my Department's National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) or through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) that is administered by NEPS and full details of which are available on my Department's website. According to the latest...

Written Answers — Whole School Evaluations: Whole School Evaluations (25 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: It is planned that 271 whole-school evaluations will be undertaken in 2006, 214 in primary schools and 57 in post-primary schools. Reports on 50 of these whole-school evaluations will be issued to schools but will not be published as they were initiated prior to 6th February 2006, the date on which the regulations on publication of reports came into effect. Under the new arrangements for...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (25 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Ex-quota chaplain posts are allocated in respect of Community and Comprehensive Schools and designated Community Colleges. Discussions have taken place between officials of my Department and the relevant authorities in relation to the allocation of ex-quota chaplain posts to other second level schools. However, the allocation of such posts must be considered in the context of priority needs...

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (25 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 83 and 102 together. I have no plans at present to extend the free tuition fees schemes to include part-time students. I wish to advise the Deputy of the provisions under Section 473A, Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997. This provides tax relief for eligible persons, at the standard rate of tax, for tuition fees paid in respect of approved courses at approved...

Written Answers — Whole School Evaluations: Whole School Evaluations (25 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: It is planned that 57 whole school evaluations will be undertaken at post-primary level in 2006, 29 in the period January to June 2006 and 28 in the period September-December 2006. 9 of these WSEs commenced prior to 6 February 2006. The reports on these evaluations have been issued to schools or are about to be issued to schools. The reports will not be published as they were initiated prior...

Written Answers — Early School Leavers: Early School Leavers (25 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: There is no up to date research on the number of children who do not transfer from primary to post-primary education on an annual basis. My Department is currently planning the development of a Primary Pupils Database, which will facilitate the collation of much more accurate and comprehensive data on transfer rates in the future. Together with the current Post-Primary Pupil Database, this...

Written Answers — School Works Scheme: School Works Scheme (25 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have increased funding for the schemes this year by an average of 20% for the Permanent Accommodation Scheme and by an average of 10% for the Small Schools Scheme. These increases follow-on from increases of up to 25% in 2005. Devolving funding to school management authorities allows them to have control of their projects, assists in moving projects...

Written Answers — Student Databases: Student Databases (25 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: My Department is developing a Primary Pupil Database which will monitor the progression of individuals through the education system. The database will be a very useful tool for the Department in evaluating the effectiveness of educational initiatives and I am anxious that it be developed as soon as is practicable. However, I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that the project must be...

Written Answers — Caighdeán agus Úsáid na Gaeilge: Caighdeán agus Úsáid na Gaeilge (25 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Níl aon taighde déanta a léireodh comparáid idir scoileanna Gaeltachta agus scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge ó thaobh caighdeán agus úsáid na Gaeilge i measc scoláirí de. Mar sin ní féidir ceist an teachta a fhreagairt le cinnteacht. Ar na deacrachtaí is mó a bhaineann le scoileanna Gaeltachta a bheith ina scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge tá teaghlaigh nach í an Ghaeilge a rogha teanga ach...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (25 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: In order to ensure that children who do not have English or Irish as a first language are not at a disadvantage in educational terms, my Department gives additional support to schools which can take the form of financial assistance, additional temporary teacher posts or portions of teacher posts. The level of extra financial or teaching support provided to any school is determined by the...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (25 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy will be aware, major improvements have been made in primary school staffing in recent years. Next September there will no less than 4000 extra teachers in our primary schools, compared with 2002. Not only is the average class size in our primary schools down to 24, but there is now one teacher for 17 pupils at primary level, including resource teachers etc. Children with special...

Written Answers — Health Education: Health Education (25 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I am aware of the report on Engineering the Future of Health and Medicine, published in April this year. It highlights the interdisciplinary nature of future needs in the health care sector, in terms of the interface between science and engineering, pharmaceutical, medical devices and information and communications technology sectors, and the role engineering professionals can play in...

Written Answers — Teaching Qualifications: Teaching Qualifications (25 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The Board of Management of a school is responsible for the recruitment, selection and appointment of teachers. The Deputy should note that my Department's function in this regard is to ensure that the particular appointment is warranted by reference to the approved staffing level of the school concerned, that the person being appointed is qualified for the post and that agreed appointment...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (25 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 259 together. The relocation of DIT, which is currently spread over 30 different sites in Dublin, to a 65-acre campus in Grangegorman is a major priority for this Government. The move will enable the Institute to provide better academic and support services for its nearly 20,000 students. It will also allow for much greater academic and social...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (25 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Financial data relating to the operation of the School Building Programme are maintained on a calendar year basis. The information which I am providing below reflects this position in the calendar year to December 2005. Capital expenditure of €6.468 million was incurred in respect of the purchase of prefabricated buildings at primary and post primary level in 2005. This expenditure included...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (25 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: A range of actions that focus on improving students' competences in spoken and written Irish and on increasing the attractiveness of the language to all learners in our schools has been taken and plans are in place for further actions to take effect in the near future. At primary level, a revised curriculum in Irish has been implemented in all schools since September 2003. A communicative,...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (25 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The compulsory school starting age in a National School is 6 years of age and Rule 64 (1) of the Rules for National Schools provides that a child must be at least 4 years of age before she/he may be enrolled in a National School. Children of compulsory school-going age must have a place in a National School and overall there are more than enough places available. Enrolment in individual...