Results 15,821-15,840 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Appropriation Bill 2005: Order for Second Stage. (15 Dec 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (14 Dec 2005)

Mary Hanafin: My Department recently reached agreement on the terms of a redundancy package for special need assistants, SNAs, employed in primary and second level schools. The agreement was finalised with the assistance of the Labour Relations Commission. It is proposed to commence payment of redundancy to eligible special need assistants in January 2006. It is also proposed to advise schools of the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Dec 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The circumstances surrounding the case on which the Deputy based her question are under review in my Department at present. A response will be furnished directly to the Deputy in due course.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (14 Dec 2005)

Mary Hanafin: My Department has sanctioned wheelchair accessible transport for the pupil referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied. Bus Éireann, which organises the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, has been requested to make the necessary arrangements in this regard.

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (14 Dec 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The works referred to by the Deputy are appropriate to the summer works scheme, the purpose of which is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake small scale building works which, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months. The school referred to by the Deputy has not made an application under the 2006 summer works scheme. It will be open to the school...

Written Answers — Vocational Education Committees: Vocational Education Committees (14 Dec 2005)

Mary Hanafin: An official of my Department has been in contact with the Deputy's office about this case. I understand that, based on the clarification provided, the issue has been dealt with by the VEC and remains a matter entirely for the VEC.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (14 Dec 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, which was established recently and which has been operational since 1 January 2005, is responsible for processing applications for special educational needs, SEN, supports. An application for two special needs assistants, SNAs, was made to the local special education needs organiser, SENO, by the school on behalf...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (14 Dec 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The school management was offered a grant under the devolved initiative in 2004 to provide new accommodation. The offer was accepted and the management proceeded with the architectural planning of the project. The school has received planning permission for a new school building. The permission is subject to a number of conditions, laid down by the local authority that have to be complied...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (14 Dec 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 304 and 311 together. The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, which was established recently and which has been operational since 1 January 2005, is responsible for processing applications for special educational needs, SEN, supports. I can confirm that the schools inspectorate has no responsibilities in this regard and...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (14 Dec 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Physical educational facilities required by third level institutions are generally provided as part of multi-purpose facilities, as a component of a student centre/aula maxima or in conjunction with other recreational and leisure facilities. Given the aggregation of physical educational facilities with broader social and recreational facilities at third level institutions, it is not possible...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (14 Dec 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 306 and 307 together. The information in the format requested by the Deputy is not readily available. However, with regard to physical education facilities generally, the physical education curriculum has been designed on the basis that facilities in schools may vary. Many primary schools have a general purpose room and practically all schools have outdoor...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (14 Dec 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I can confirm to the Deputy that there are currently approximately 326 whole-time special needs assistants, SNAs, in our primary and second level schools in County Kildare supporting children with special needs. This equates to approximately 10,432 hours per week, based on a 32 hour week, which is the basis on which the salaries of SNAs are calculated.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (14 Dec 2005)

Mary Hanafin: It would be my intention that all appropriate and relevant information in respect of any agency funded by my Department or for which I have a responsibility would be provided in response to a parliamentary question. The availability or provision of this information would of course be subject to any legal or statutory constraints which might be applicable. In general terms, policy issues would...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (14 Dec 2005)

Mary Hanafin: While my Department has no immediate plans to acquire the site to which the Deputy refers, it is anticipated that the Stepaside local area plan could generate a population of between 16,000 and 20,000 by 2012. With a projected population growth of this level, I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it is prudent to have a site reserved for educational purposes. Having said that, my...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (14 Dec 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Special schools and special classes funded by my Department are intended to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from four years of age until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year. However, if particular circumstances arise whereby there is a necessity for a pupil to continue in a special school setting beyond the period outlined above,...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (14 Dec 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I reject the Deputy's assertion that there is a total absence of indoor recreational facilities in primary and secondary schools in Enniscorthy. With regard to physical education facilities throughout the country generally, the physical education curriculum has been designed on the basis that facilities in schools may vary. Many primary schools have a general purpose room and practically all...

Written Answers — Early Childhood Education: Early Childhood Education (14 Dec 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The early start preschool project was established in 40 primary schools in designated areas of urban disadvantage in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Drogheda and Dundalk during 1994 and 1995. There are 1,680 places in these centres. The new action plan for educational inclusion will address the educational needs of children and young people from disadvantaged communities, from...

Written Answers — Third Level Courses: Third Level Courses (14 Dec 2005)

Mary Hanafin: This Government is strongly committed to improving participation and achievement at every level of education. We have put the resources and supports in place to ensure that there is a wide range of course options available in the further and higher education sectors for young people who wish to continue their studies after second level and for people returning to education later in life....

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (14 Dec 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Officials in the school planning section of my Department are currently carrying out a review of primary and post-primary school provision in the Enniscorthy area. This review is expected to be completed in the new year. In the meantime, progress on all applications for major capital funding from schools in the area in question are being considered in the context of the school building and...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (14 Dec 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The information in the format requested by the Deputy is not readily available. The PE curriculum has been designed on the basis that facilities in schools may vary. Many primary schools have a general purposes room and practically all schools have outdoor play areas which are utilised for teaching different aspects of the physical education programme. In addition, many schools use adjacent...