Results 321-340 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Written Answers — Third Level Institutions: Third Level Institutions (12 Jan 2011)
Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy is aware, an honorary degree is an academic degree for which a university (or other degree-awarding institution) has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study and the passing of examinations. The degree is typically a doctorate or, less commonly, a master's degree, and may be awarded to someone who has no prior connection with the academic...
- Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (12 Jan 2011)
Mary Coughlan: My Department engages with a wide range of stakeholders and interest groups on an ongoing basis in relation to educational issues, and it is not possible to identify separately the costs involved. Typically, such engagements would include, seeking feedback from industry, students, parents associations, management bodies, unions, subject associations, and special interest groups as well as...
- Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (12 Jan 2011)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 192 together. The information requested in relation to my Department is currently being compiled and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy. With regard to bodies under the aegis of my Department the procurement of mobile phones and associated costs is an operational matter for the bodies themselves and therefore the information requested by the...
- Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (12 Jan 2011)
Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is an independent agency with responsibility for determining the appropriate staffing levels in relation to the support of pupils with special educational needs in all mainstream and special schools. This includes determining the level of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support in schools. The NCSE operates within my...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Programme: Schools Building Programme (12 Jan 2011)
Mary Coughlan: The project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The design team are currently working on stage 2(b) of architectural planning which includes applications for Planning Permission, Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate (DAC) and the preparation of tender documents. An application for Planning Permission was lodged on 23rd November 2010. On...
- Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (12 Jan 2011)
Mary Coughlan: Funding for Emergency Works are made available to those schools most in need of resources as a result of unforeseen emergencies of a capital nature that may arise during the school year. The school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application for funding under this scheme to my Department and this application is being assessed. A decision will issue to the school as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (12 Jan 2011)
Mary Coughlan: The Deputy will be aware that a major building project is being advanced for the school in question. In this regard, my officials met with the school authority at the school in December 2010. The school's application for an emergency works grant was also discussed. My officials pointed out to the school authority that the scale of work proposed within the emergency works application suggested...
- Written Answers — Literacy Levels: Literacy Levels (12 Jan 2011)
Mary Coughlan: The measures proposed in the Draft National Plan to Improve Literacy and Numeracy in Schools are intended to improve the literacy standards of all students, including those with special needs and learning difficulties. The strategy places particular emphasis on a whole school approach to promoting literacy and numeracy, setting out a range of actions relating to curriculum and assessment,...
- Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (12 Jan 2011)
Mary Coughlan: I can confirm that my Department received the correspondence referred to by the Deputy on 7th January, 2011. A response to the matters raised by the Union of Students in Ireland will issue shortly. The allocation for student grants in 2011 is just over â¬385m. This is an increase of some 5% or â¬18m over the 2010 provision. Increases in the number of students qualifying for grants,...
- Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (12 Jan 2011)
Mary Coughlan: Funding for Emergency Works are made available to those schools most in need of resources as a result of unforeseen emergencies of a capital nature that may arise during the school year. The school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application for funding under this scheme to my Department and this application is being assessed. A decision will issue to the school as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (12 Jan 2011)
Mary Coughlan: My Department has received a representation in respect of Resource Teacher for Traveller posts at the schools mentioned by the Deputy. The position is that the Government has taken a decision to provide educational teaching supports to Traveller students on the same basis as other students in schools. This means that Traveller students who require additional tuition will receive this tuition...
- Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (12 Jan 2011)
Mary Coughlan: A substantive response issued to the Deputy's representation on behalf of the person to whom he refers on 11 January, 2011. The Deputy should be aware that a decision on grant eligibility is a matter for the student's grant awarding authority in the first instance. A fully and accurately completed application form is necessary in this regard for the grant awarding authority to make an...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Programme: Schools Building Programme (12 Jan 2011)
Mary Coughlan: The school to which the Deputy refers applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for a new school building. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie. The progression of all large scale...
- Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (12 Jan 2011)
Mary Coughlan: The correspondence in question was recently referred to my Department from another educational body. The issue raised is currently under consideration in my Department and a response will issue shortly.
- Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (12 Jan 2011)
Mary Coughlan: The Deputy will be aware of my Department's commitment to ensuring that all children including those with special needs can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. This facilitates access to individualised education programmes, fully qualified professional teachers, special needs assistants and...
- Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (12 Jan 2011)
Mary Coughlan: Many nonâIrish qualifications, such as qualifications awarded by the organisation referred to by the Deputy, are aligned with the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and are available to Irish learners through a variety of education providers. Alignment with the NFQ enables learners and employers to understand how their award fits in with the Framework and ensures that programmes...
- Written Answers — Legal Services: Legal Services (12 Jan 2011)
Mary Coughlan: It is not possible to provide the information requested in the time available. A reply will issue to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.
- Written Answers — Legal Proceedings: Legal Proceedings (12 Jan 2011)
Mary Coughlan: It is not possible to provide the information requested in the time available. A reply will issue to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.
- Written Answers — Legal Services: Legal Services (12 Jan 2011)
Mary Coughlan: It is not possible to provide the information requested in the time available. A reply will issue to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.
- Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Jan 2011)
Mary Coughlan: I am pleased to introduce the Student Support Bill to the Seanad and to outline its main provisions. The Bill is the key element of our broader programme of legislative and administrative reform of the student grants system. It is the first major modernisation of the grant schemes in this country since the introduction of the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act 1968 and paves...