Results 181-200 of 623 for speaker:Síle de Valera

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (4 Jul 2006)

Síle de Valera: The safety of children travelling on the school transport service has been top of my agenda since coming into office. I have effected a range of measures to improve the quality and safety of school transport services both in the vicinity of, and on, school buses. In January, 2005, I launched a Warning Flashing Light Project on 22 buses in Ennis, Co Clare and I am currently examining proposals...

Written Answers — Learning Initiatives: Learning Initiatives (4 Jul 2006)

Síle de Valera: My Department is strongly committed to improving participation and achievement at every level of education. For those in the workforce who want to improve their literacy levels, there are workplace literacy schemes in operation around the country. The National Adult Literacy Agency has trained a number of tutors to provide literacy in the workplace and has promoted the availability of this...

Written Answers — Literacy Levels: Literacy Levels (4 Jul 2006)

Síle de Valera: My Department funds the provision of adult literacy, which is delivered by the Vocational Education Committees, from the annual Adult Literacy and Community Education (ALCES) grant to VECs. This includes literacy and the teaching of English to non-Irish nationals. Funding for adult literacy has been increased incrementally in recent years from just under €1 million in 1997 to over €23...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (4 Jul 2006)

Síle de Valera: My Department recently replied to the legal representative of the person concerned.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (4 Jul 2006)

Síle de Valera: The area in question is in the Bantry catchment area, whereas the school referred in the details supplied by the Deputy is located in another catchment area. Transport can only be provided within the terms of the School Transport Scheme.

Written Answers — Further Education: Further Education (4 Jul 2006)

Síle de Valera: The course referred to by the Deputy is a self-contained whole-time programme of education and training designed to provide successful participants with specific skills, to enhance their prospects of securing lasting, full-time employment or progression to other studies. My Department provides resources for these courses in relation to teachers' pay, non-pay running costs, student support and...

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (4 Jul 2006)

Síle de Valera: My Department has already taken a number of actions to address issues of discrimination and victimisation in the education system which are concerned with all students, including Traveller students. In particular, Section 6 of the Education Act 1998 states that "every person concerned in the implementation of the Act shall have regard to the following objects .... to promote equality of...

Written Answers — Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme: Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (4 Jul 2006)

Síle de Valera: My Department provides funding to VECs to assist towards the childcare expenses of participants in certain further education programmes in order to facilitate the enrolment on these programmes of people for whom they were designed but who had been unable to enrol on them because of childcare responsibilities. These are the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS), Youthreach and Senior...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (4 Jul 2006)

Síle de Valera: My Department recently replied to the legal representative of the person concerned.

Written Answers — Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme: Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (4 Jul 2006)

Síle de Valera: The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) consists of a range of full time courses designed to meet the education and training needs of unemployed people. The Scheme is funded by my Department and operated through the 33 Vocational Education Committees (VECs). A VTOS allowance is paid by the VECs to students who had a prior entitlement to unemployment benefit or assistance. This...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (4 Jul 2006)

Síle de Valera: Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Service on behalf of my Department, has advised that a number of pupils attending the school referred to in the details supplied were availing of concessionary transport. I should point out that concessionary transport is not guaranteed. Pupils availing of such transport may only do so if spare seats are available on school buses and this is...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (4 Jul 2006)

Síle de Valera: The circumstances of the case referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied, are being reviewed by my Department. Arrangements will be made to notify all relevant parties as soon as a decision has been made.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (4 Jul 2006)

Síle de Valera: Bus Éireann, which operate the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department, have been requested to submit a report on the application for school transport as outlined in the details provided. When this report is received and reviewed, arrangements will be made to advise all interested parties.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (4 Jul 2006)

Síle de Valera: Bus Éireann has informed my Department that there are currently 106 vehicles providing school transport services in County Meath. It is too early to indicate the number of additional vehicles, if any, that may be required for the 2006/07 school year as applications for school transport are still being processed.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (4 Jul 2006)

Síle de Valera: The Transport Liaison Officers are responsible for the co-ordination of the school transport service for Primary and Post Primary schools within their area. Part of this co-ordination is to ensure schools standardise their opening and closing times to ensure the School Transport Service is delivered in a timely and cost effective manner. If the Deputy has any specific case in mind I will be...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (30 Jun 2006)

Síle de Valera: I thank the Senator for raising this matter and for giving me the opportunity of outlining to the House the actions being taken by the Department of Education and Science to address the school accommodation needs of Rush, Lusk and Balbriggan. The Department is conscious that these areas of Fingal County Council are rapidly developing and, as a result, there has been a marked increase in...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (29 Jun 2006)

Síle de Valera: My Department is reviewing the closed school rule. This will involve consultation with relevant interested parties, having regard to other urgent priorities within the school transport area.

Written Answers — Vocational Education Committees: Vocational Education Committees (29 Jun 2006)

Síle de Valera: My Department provides funding to VECs to assist towards the child care expenses of participants in certain further education programmes in order to facilitate the enrolment on these programmes of people for whom they were designed but who had been unable to enrol on them because of child care responsibilities. These are the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS), Youthreach and...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (29 Jun 2006)

Síle de Valera: My Department has requested the transport liaison officer for the relevant county to submit a report on the situation referred to by the Deputy. When the report is received and considered, my Department will be in touch with the family concerned.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (28 Jun 2006)

Síle de Valera: I propose to take Questions Nos. 214 to 216, inclusive, together. Youthreach provides two years' integrated education, training and work experience to young people aged 15-20 years who are at least six months in the labour market and who have left school early without any qualifications or vocational training. The programme provides a strong emphasis on personal development, on the core...