Results 16,381-16,400 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The provision of broadband connectivity is one of a number of facets of my Department's ICT initiative which aims to integrate information and communications technology into teaching and learning in first and second level schools. The key elements to achieving this objective are access to the technologies, the development of skills in their usage and the availability of high quality...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 171 together. On 29 September 2005 I announced plans for the provision of 23 new post-primary and four primary schools through public private partnership procurement in the period 2005 to 2009. This is one of the most ambitious building programmes ever undertaken in the education sector. My Department, in consultation with the National Development...

Written Answers — Early Childhood Education: Early Childhood Education (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I met Ms Katherine Zappone, the project leader of the childhood development initiative in Tallaght earlier this year. The regional office of my Department in Tallaght also participated in the consultative group of regional agencies which provided advice and information in respect of the development of the project. This initiative will be considered by my Department in the context of existing...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The Government has invested in the largest school building programme in the history of the State. Between 1998 and the end of 2004, almost €2 billion was invested in school buildings and in the region of 7,500 large and small projects were completed in schools, including 130 brand new schools and 510 large-scale refurbishments-extensions. Funding for school building and renovation projects...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy is aware, the general allocation of learning support-resource teachers, LS-RTs, is intended to cater for children with learning support and high incidence special educational needs. The system was constructed so that LS-RT allocations would be based on pupil numbers, taking into account the differing needs of the most disadvantaged schools and the evidence that boys have greater...

Written Answers — Third Level Qualifications: Third Level Qualifications (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I am aware of ongoing discussions regarding the structure of engineering degrees. I understand that this has been taking place in the context of changing professional standards as well as the Bologna declaration on a European area of higher education. I am also aware that the engineering professional body, Engineers Ireland, is engaged in a consultative process on its proposals with all...

Written Answers — Teaching Qualifications: Teaching Qualifications (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 176 together. The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching vacancies that arise in the VEC sector is a matter for the relevant VEC. It a matter for a VEC to satisfy itself as to the suitability of the qualifications of any applicant for any given post prior to making an appointment. Where the VEC is in any doubt as to the suitability of...

Written Answers — Teaching Profession: Teaching Profession (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: In the current school year, of the 1,749 permanent and temporary qualified teachers appointed for the first time at primary level, 189 were male. I am aware of the decreasing numbers of males entering the teaching profession, and it is an issue that is of concern to me. It is important to attract more men into teaching for a number of reasons, not least of which is the positive role models...

Written Answers — Departmental Projects: Departmental Projects (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I am arranging for the information requested by the Deputy to be collated and it will be sent to the Deputy shortly.

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The new action plan for educational inclusion, DEIS, delivering equality of opportunity in schools, which will be introduced on a phased basis starting during the current school year, aims to ensure that the educational needs of children and young people, from pre-school to completion of upper second level education — three to 18 years — from disadvantaged communities are prioritised and...

Written Answers — School Discipline: School Discipline (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 207 together. The task force on student behaviour will complete a final report, including recommendations, later this year. In its interim report, the task force recognises that the most important feature of its work is to generate a set of recommendations that will impact in a positive way and will help to curtail the spread of disruptive behaviour in...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The information in the format requested by the Deputy is not readily available. However, in relation to PE facilities in primary schools generally, the PE 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 play areas which are used for teaching different aspects of the...

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 180 together. Given the clear link between early school leaving and continued socio-economic disadvantage in adult life, the Government is determined to do all that is possible to ensure that every child gets all the opportunities and support they need to enable them to complete their education. To this end, we are providing increased resources for...

Written Answers — Post-Primary Education: Post-Primary Education (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The strategic goal set at the Lisbon European Council in March 2000 is to make the European Union the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion, by 2010. Education and training have a central role in achieving the Lisbon goal. My Department has taken a range of policy...

Written Answers — Garda Vetting Procedures: Garda Vetting Procedures (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 175, 195 and 197 together. Ensuring the protection, health and welfare of children is a key concern for the Government, for parents, for agencies that work with children and for society generally and I assure the Deputy that the Government is determined to do all it can to keep our children and vulnerable adults safe. In the education sector, vetting is...

Written Answers — Road Accident Investigations: Road Accident Investigations (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: My Department has been informed by Bus Éireann that the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, has requested that the publication of the report of the committee of inquiry set up by Bus Éireann to investigate the cause of the Navan bus tragedy of 23 May 2005 be deferred until the DPP's office has concluded its deliberations. My Department has also been informed by Bus Éireann that the DPP...

Written Answers — Multi-Denominational Schools: Multi-Denominational Schools (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The number of primary multi-denominational schools established in this country to date is 39. At post-primary level, the requirement for multi-denominational education is met through the State's network of non-designated VEC schools, of which there are 195. A complete list of schools together with addresses and contact numbers is available on my Department's website, http://www.education.ie.

Written Answers — Child Protection: Child Protection (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The child protection guidelines for post-primary schools were drawn up following a consultation process with the education partners. The guidelines are based on children first, the national guidelines for the protection and welfare of children. Sufficient copies of the guidelines have issued to all post-primary schools so that each staff member can be provided with his or her personal copy....

Written Answers — Teachers' Remuneration: Teachers' Remuneration (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The cost of salaries and allowances paid to teachers in fee-paying post-primary schools for the 2004-05 school year was €89,612,639. The State has traditionally paid the salaries of teachers in fee-paying schools for a number of reasons. For example, if fee-paying schools were to close and the pupils were to move to the non-fee paying sector, the cost to the State would be higher. Whether...

Written Answers — Education Welfare Service: Education Welfare Service (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The Education (Welfare) Act 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the board are to ensure that each child attends a recognised school...