Results 14,141-14,160 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Ionaid Oideachais: Ionaid Oideachais (4 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Tá fhios agam go bhfuil an Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta sásta tacaíocht a thabhairt don Ionad Náisiúnta Oideachais Gaeilge i mBaile Bhuirne. Tá ceist an Ionaid á plé faoi láthair leis an Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta agus déanfar cinneadh faoi chomh luath agus is féidir. Sa chomhthéacs sin tá sé ar intinn freisin dul i gcomhairle leis...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (4 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I understand that the Steering Committee of the Substance Misuse Prevention Programme has submitted to my Department a proposal with a number of options for extending the SMPP (Walk Tall Programme) to other areas of disadvantage which are outside the local drugs task forces. The proposals are currently under examination by officials and this examination involves consultation with the Walk...

Written Answers — Departmental Committees: Departmental Committees (4 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The membership of the audit committee in my Department is: Mr. Tom O'Higgins (External) (Chairperson); Mr. Dave Wilson (External); Ms Bernadette Lacey (External) Director General, Department of Social and Family Affairs; Mr. Paul Ryan, Principal Officer, Department of Education and Science; and, Mr. Pádraig MacSitric, Assistant Chief Inspector, Department of Education & Science.

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (3 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The refurbishment projects applied for under the Summer Works Scheme by the school in question were not deemed suitable under this scheme owing to the extent of works required. The School Planning Section of my Department will be writing to the school authorities shortly advising them of the options available for addressing the required works.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (3 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The building project in question was one of 40 major school building projects listed in my announcement of 25 April 2006 to proceed to tender and construction. My officials have recently received an updated cost plan to complete the stage 3 submission (detailed plans/costs) for the project. This will be examined as soon as possible and my officials will then be in further contact with the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (3 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy is aware, my Department is currently engaged in the roll-out of broadband internet connectivity to all recognised primary and post-primary schools. This project is being undertaken in partnership with industry, following the establishment of a three year €18m joint Government — IBEC / TIF (Telecommunications and Internet Federation) Fund to provide local broadband...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (3 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application to my Department for additional accommodation to include additional classrooms and ancillary accommodation. My officials are in the process of assessing the school's likely long term projected staffing in order to determine the school's accommodation needs into the future. Factors to be considered include current and projected...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (3 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: My Department expects to spend in the region of €3m to facilitate the purchase of specialised equipment for use by pupils with special educational needs (SEN). As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has taken over responsibility for processing resource applications for children with disabilities who have SEN. The NCSE's responsibilities include...

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (3 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 479 and 481 together. The revised literature course for Leaving Certificate Irish which was introduced in September 2004 will be examined for the first time in June 2006. This has been widely welcomed as it allows literature to be taught using modern communicative approaches that appeal to young people and it affords a high level of choice to students and...

Written Answers — Teacher Training: Teacher Training (3 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: My Department specifies the minimum academic requirements for entry to primary teacher training courses provided in the Colleges of Education. As part of these requirements, all candidates, including school leavers, mature students and university graduates, must have a minimum of a Grade C in Higher Level in Irish in the Leaving Certificate, or an approved equivalent. This requirement...

Written Answers — School Closures: School Closures (3 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 482, 485 and 486 together. My Department became aware of the intention of the Trustees to close the school to which the Deputies refer through media reports. This is a shocking development given that the delivery of education in this country has always been done through a partnership approach. At the very least, my Department would have expected the courtesy...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (3 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The school referred to by the Deputy has an application with my Department for ancillary accommodation to include a GP room, a library, a medical room, resource room, staff room, office and toilets. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which was revised following consultation with the Education partners and is being considered in the...

Written Answers — School Closures: School Closures (3 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: Enrolments in the Dublin 8 area had previously been in decline but have stabilised in recent years. However, my Department has not been made aware of any difficulty in obtaining school places in the area. In line with current practice, my Department will continue to monitor the situation, in the context of any proposed future developments and particularly in relation to the developments at...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (3 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The question of introducing a road safety and driver education syllabus into schools has been examined by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) on foot of a report from a task group set up in 2000 and which included representatives of the Department of Education and Science, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the National Safety Council, the...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (3 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 489 and 490 together. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department provides a range of teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs, including children with Down's Syndrome. The precise level of support is determined by the special educational needs of the particular child. A new general allocation system was introduced with effect from...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (3 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: My Department has received an application for home tuition in respect of the child in question. Applications for support for such young children are considered on a case by case basis and my Department will shortly be in contact with the parents in connection with the options available for this child. In the interim, it is recommended that the family contact the local health service executive...

Written Answers — Literacy Levels: Literacy Levels (3 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: A key focus of the Government's education policy is to prioritise investment in favour of those most at risk and to optimise access, participation and educational outcomes at every level of the system for disadvantaged groups. The Government's commitment to achieving the highest possible standards of literacy both for those in school and for adults of all ages is set in the context of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (3 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 493 to 497, inclusive, together. The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. My Department will be in contact with Co. Westmeath VEC and with the Office of Public Works to procure the information as requested by the Deputy. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (3 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: A letter of intent has recently been issued to the lowest tenderer for the project referred to by the Deputy. Once it is established that all insurances, tax clearance procedures etc., are in order a formal letter of acceptance will issue and the project will be allowed to proceed to site.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (3 May 2006)

Mary Hanafin: The school referred to by the Deputy is one of three post primary schools serving the needs of the area, two of which are voluntary secondary schools and a vocational school under the aegis of County Cork Vocational Education Committee. On foot of an application for capital investment in this school, officials in the School Planning Section of my Department carried out an examination of all...