Results 16,721-16,740 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

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

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 517 and 530 together. The National Adult Learning Council was established on an ad hoc basis in March 2002. After the establishment of the ad hoc council, concerns emerged that its functions were too wide-ranging and not sufficiently focused. Additionally, a number of developments had occurred which would impact on the work of the council, including the...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: An application for a PE hall at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large-scale building projects. The project has been assigned a band four rating and its progress will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme from 2006 onwards.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The new school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. My Department's planning section recently reviewed the long-term staffing requirements for the school and as a result has increased the brief from a new 12 classroom school to a new 16 classroom school. A site visit will be arranged shortly to determine the best way to meet...

Written Answers — Institutes of Technology: Institutes of Technology (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The OECD's review of higher education in Ireland published in 2004 has been accepted by the Government as the guide to future policy on third level. The Deputy will be aware that the review recommends that the differentiation of mission between the university and institute of technology sectors be maintained and that for the foreseeable future, there should be no institutional transfers to...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The allocation for school transport in 2005 is €116.533 million. Additional funding is being provided to increase capacity on school transport services to provide one-for-one seating and seat belt equipped buses. While it is not possible at this stage to give exact figures, the total spend on school transport services in 2005 is likely to exceed €120 million. The acquisition of additional...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. This is in accordance with guidelines agreed between my Department and the education partners. The staffing schedule is outlined in a circular which is issued annually to all primary schools. In the current school year the staffing of the school...

Written Answers — School Closures: School Closures (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: A decision was taken by the trustees of the school to which the Deputy refers that it will close in June 2007. Officials in the school planning section of my Department are reviewing the educational infrastructure in the area and the educational requirements for the medium to long term. When this review is completed a decision will be taken on the discharge of the leasehold interest in this...

Written Answers — Schools Amalgamation: Schools Amalgamation (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 524 and 525 together. As stated in my reply to the parliamentary questions to which the Deputy refers, architectural assessments have recently been carried out on all four primary schools to determine which, if any, would be suitable to act as hosts for the proposed rationalisation at primary level in New Ross. These assessments will enable my Department to...

Written Answers — School Closures: School Closures (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The future viability of the school referred to by the Deputy is a matter of concern to my Department in view of the low and declining enrolment. The school authorities have been issued notification, in accordance with section 11 of the Education Act 1998, that it is proposed to withdraw recognition from the school. My officials are in contact with the school authority on this matter.

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

Mary Hanafin: The information sought by the Deputy is being collated by officials in my Department and it will be forwarded directly to him as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Officials in my Department are guided by the Department of Finance 1999 Guidelines on Engaging Consultants in the Civil Service when commissioning outside consultants for specific projects. These guidelines have been reviewed and augmented in the light of the Quigley report recommendations. In addition, the Government has recently decided that Secretaries General-Accounting Officers will be...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The process for the engagement of consultants by Departments generally is regulated by guidelines issued by the Department of Finance. This document covers all elements from the establishment of need, through the procurement process to the monitoring of the project. The need to ensure value for money is paramount in the entire process.

Written Answers — Inquiry into Child Abuse: Inquiry into Child Abuse (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I confirm that in 2004 the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse held a series of public hearings into the emergence of child abuse in Ireland and that evidence was given by a representative of the De La Salle Order to the investigation committee at these public hearings on 14 July 2004 in which reference was made to allegations of abuse in the school mentioned by the Deputy in 1991, 1994...

Written Answers — Inquiry into Child Abuse: Inquiry into Child Abuse (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: In March 1998 the Government decided there was a need for a formal and comprehensive response to people who were abused as children while in institutional care. Arising from this the Government established a Cabinet sub-committee to advise the Government on measures it should introduce to fully address the matter. The Cabinet sub-committee considered best international practice and a range of...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Under the terms of the higher education grants scheme which is administered by the local authorities, on behalf of my Department, the position is that generally, students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. There are similar provisions in...

Written Answers — Schools Amalgamation: Schools Amalgamation (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The amalgamation of two national schools in Drogheda, Scoil Mhuire Fatima and St. Mary's Boys, was one of 43 projects authorised by me in March of this year to commence architectural planning. An advertisement seeking suitably qualified design team consultants was placed in the Official Journal of the European Union on 10 June. This competitive selection process will be completed shortly by...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The scope of works to which the Deputy refers is appropriate for consideration under the summer works scheme. While the school in question has submitted an application under the 2006 summer works scheme, it has not applied for grant aid towards the resurfacing of its yard. All primary schools receive an annual minor works grant from my Department. Each school gets a standard rate of €3,809...

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The higher education grants scheme operates under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts 1968 to 1992. An approved institution is defined to mean a university, college or other institution of higher education in so far as it provides a course, or courses, of not less than two years duration at undergraduate level and not less than one years duration at postgraduate level, being...

Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Scheme: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I welcome the steps being taken by the Law Society to investigate and deal with complaints in relation to some solicitors charging victims of abuse legal fees in respect of work carried out before the redress board. I will not be satisfied, however, as to the adequacy of the society's response in this regard until all persons who were wrongly charged fees are fully reimbursed and action is...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (25 Oct 2005)

Mary Hanafin: An inspection of the roof of the school referred to by the Deputy has taken place. Arrangements are being put in place to have the necessary repairs carried out as soon as possible.