Results 161-180 of 623 for speaker:Síle de Valera

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: The Deputy should let me answer. I do not believe in wasting my time or anybody else's in the sector. There would be no point in having discussions and extensive consultations unless we meant to put those recommendations into action. We must remember that the report has a knock-on effect for the entire education system. There are industrial relations issues that will need a great deal of...

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: I am trying to give the fullest answer I can, with your permission, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. It is erroneous to say that there is just one issue for adult and further education.

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: McIver is a very important issue and is recognised as such within the Department. I am continuing to work in consultation with the sector as funds become available.

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: I am somewhat confused by the Deputy's question, which leaves me wondering exactly where the Green Party stands on the McIver report. Does the Deputy want to throw it out?

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: Rather than making such wild statements, we are interested in trying to work with the sector to ensure that there is implementation.

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: Perhaps the Deputy should listen. There are 91 sub-recommendations in the McIver report, including recommendations with a significant potential impact. For example, the potential impact of a reduction in teaching hours on other levels of education must be considered, in addition to the cost implications of the development of separated capital specifications for the PLC sector. The potential...

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: ——as well as through the guidance, which I have been happy to roll out across the country.

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: It is not a question of what I prioritise.

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: I have said time and again that I recognise that a tremendous amount of effort has gone into the report. I thank all those stakeholders involved in the discussions. We will have further discussions along the line until every recommendation in the report has been addressed.

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: I cannot give a timescale for that, nor will I pretend to do so. However, the Government, through the Department of Education and Science, has ensured that it recognises the importance of education for the further and adult sector. The facts that I have highlighted today regarding the PLC sector show very significant improvements this year, and not only in numbers. I agree with the Deputy...

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: The question of prioritisation will not be decided by me unilaterally. It will be a question of further discussions and consultations with the sector. Based on that, we will go forward.

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: We accept that education is one of the most important issues for Government. That is why I am happy to say that the Department has done extremely well in the Estimates and in the announcements made by the Minister. However, we must ensure that we do not only look at the McIver report, which I consider a very important part of work in adult and further education. When asked about the status of...

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: As the Estimates progress.

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: We will advance the McIver report as money becomes available on the basis of priorities. Do the Deputies expect me to underfund such issues as adult literacy, VTOS, Youthreach, senior Traveller training, PLC and BTEI?

Adult Education. (15 Dec 2005)

Síle de Valera: I have an envelope of money, and I want to ensure that we advance not only the McIver report but all the other issues for which I have responsibility, including areas of particular disadvantage. We want to ensure that it happens, and I have every confidence that the Government will continue to ensure that moneys are available, not only for the McIver report but for all further and adult education.

Health Services. (25 Jan 2006)

Síle de Valera: I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. The Tánaiste has asked me to inform the House that the Department of Health and Children has regular contact with the group referred to by the Deputy. The Tánaiste has had one meeting with them, in February 2005, at which this issue was discussed. The services referred to by...

Driving Tests. (25 Jan 2006)

Síle de Valera: The Minister for Transport acknowledges the Deputy's concerns about the waiting lists in the Tipperary town and Clonmel test centres. On 23 January the longest waiting time in Clonmel was 51 weeks compared to 50 last December and in Tipperary town it was 58 weeks compared to 55 last December. While the Minister fully accepts that waiting times for driving tests in general are unacceptable,...

School Transport. (25 Jan 2006)

Síle de Valera: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I welcome this opportunity to outline to the House my Department's position regarding school transport for children residing in the Blackwater area of County Wexford. By way of general comment, I should explain that one of the main objects of the school transport scheme is to provide a basic level of service for children who live long distances from...

School Transport. (25 Jan 2006)

Síle de Valera: On such an occasion, I like to outline each of the rules and regulations that pertain.

School Transport. (25 Jan 2006)

Síle de Valera: On such occasions it is necessary to refer again to them because the Deputy has stated that he wants clarification.