Results 16,701-16,720 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Foreign Travel: Foreign Travel (26 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I have attended two foreign conferences since becoming Minister for Education and Science in September 2004. My predecessor attended three foreign conferences as Minister for Education and Science during the period referred to by the Deputy. The details are set out below. Foreign Conferences/Meetings attended by Minister Mary Hanafin from 29th Sept 2004. Date Destination Purpose of...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (26 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of therapy services for people with disabilities, including speech therapy, is a matter for the Health Services Executive, HSE, and funding is provided to the HSE for such purposes. My Department does not employ speech therapists for the delivery of speech therapy services to schools or determine the children that should receive these services. I can...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (26 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The new eight-classroom building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. My Department's officials are in the process of examining a recently received stage two submission — developed sketch scheme — and when this examination is completed they will be in contact with the school authorities with regard to the next steps involved in...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (26 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The examination of the issues raised regarding the eligibility of certain students for student support in respect of their attendance at the barrister-at-law degree course at the Honourable Society of King's Inns is ongoing. I will be in communication with the Deputy when the review is concluded.

Written Answers — Land Transfers: Land Transfers (26 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Officials in my Department have received an application regarding the transfer of land at the school referred to by the Deputy. The school planning section of my Department is currently reviewing the educational requirements in the area. When this review is completed, a decision will be taken on the land transfer.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (26 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Officials in my Department have received an application to release the Department's leasehold interest in the school referred to by the Deputy. The school planning section of my Department is currently reviewing the educational requirements in the area. When this review is completed, a decision will be taken on the surrender of the leasehold interest in the property.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (26 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The report of the recent meeting between parent representatives and officials of my Department regarding school transport for first year pupils attending the school referred to by the Deputy has been presented to me and the Minister of State, Deputy de Valera. The key consideration in this matter was that the arrangements were contrary to the provisions of the post-primary school transport...

Written Answers — School Buildings: School Buildings (26 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 260 together. The site referred to by the Deputy has full security fencing and full-time static security. The local gardaí are also aware of the circumstances and are actively involved in monitoring the problem. The whole security situation will be kept under review by my Department's building unit. On the question of asbestos at the school in...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (26 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: A proposal has been received from South Dublin County Council regarding the future use of the site referred to by the Deputy. The matter is currently under consideration and contact will be made with the local authority as soon as a decision has been taken.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (26 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. The school in question was listed in my announcement of April this year as a project to progress through architectural planning up to pre-tender stage that is, up to and including advanced architectural planning. My Department's officials are in the process of examining a recently...

Written Answers — Primary School Funding: Primary School Funding (26 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on the project is being considered in the context of the school building programme from 2006 on.

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (26 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Significant improvements have been made in the pupil-teacher ratio and in average class size in recent years at primary level. The most recent figure available for average class size at primary level refers to the 2003-04 school year, when the average class size was 23.9, down from 26.6 in 1996-97. The pupil teacher ratio at primary level, which includes all the teachers including resource...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (26 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The number of whole-time equivalent special need assistants being paid salary on my Department's payroll is as follows: primary, 6,027; secondary, 338; community and comprehensive, 231. To date, a total of 375 whole-time equivalent special need assistants has been allocated to the VEC sector.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (26 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: An application for an extension has been received from the management authorities of the school referred to by the Deputy. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which was revised following consultation with the education partners. The project is being considered for progression in the context of the school building and modernisation...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (26 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: There are a number of issues that remain to be clarified including the specific rationale and function of the centre as well as building and related technical requirements. This necessarily involves other bodies such as An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta and Gaelscolaíochta and the Department for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. As regards work on the building, when a decision is...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (26 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The school referred to by the Deputy applied for an extension and refurbishment to provide improved ancillary accommodation. The project proposed does not provide for any additional mainstream classrooms. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria which were revised last year following consultation with the education partners. The proposed...

Health Services: Motion (Resumed). (26 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Although they do not even turn up.

Written Answers — Multi-Denominational Schools: Multi-Denominational Schools (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 513, 514, 533, 538 and 559 together. The level of funding that my Department provides to Educate Together as a school management body is on a par with that provided to Foras Patrúnachta na Gaelscoileanna, the Church of Ireland Board of Education, the Islamic Board of Education and the National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education. However,...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Number 23 Parnell Square, Dublin 1 — Coláiste Mhuire — was included as a property contribution under the terms of the indemnity agreement with the religious congregations dated 5 June 2002 as the Office of Public Works confirmed to my Department that it was prepared to accept title to the property. In accepting this property the State will own numbers 22 to 28 Parnell Square. The Office...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The number of court actions initiated against the Minister for Education and Science regarding the provision of primary and post-primary school places and resources for students with special needs in the years referred to by the Deputy is as follows: in 2003, 14 primary and three post-primary, in 2004, 15 primary and two post-primary; and 2005 to date, five primary and one post-primary. As...