Results 221-240 of 623 for speaker:Síle de Valera

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (8 Jun 2006)

Síle de Valera: My Department is investigating the general position as outlined by the Deputy in the correspondence provided and a reply will issue as soon as possible. The provision of the names and addresses of the pupils affected would assist in the investigation of the specific case referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (8 Jun 2006)

Síle de Valera: The project referred to by the Deputy is currently in receipt of funding under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme and was allocated €52,647 by my Department in 2005. An application for an additional youth worker post has been received by the Youth Affairs Section. My Department is at present giving consideration to this request and to all other applications made for youth work funding in...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (8 Jun 2006)

Síle de Valera: : There has been no reduction in the number of buses providing school transport to the school referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied. The pupils in question were availing of transport on a concessionary fare-paying basis under a three for two seating arrangement. However, under Regulations recently made by the Minister for Transport, seat belts must be used in buses, where fitted,...

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (7 Jun 2006)

Síle de Valera: The City of Dublin Youth Service Board (CDYSB) administers grant aid to youth clubs and youth organisations in the Dublin area on behalf of the Youth Affairs Section of my Department. The CDYSB can be contacted directly for information on grants available (details of all grants offered by CDYSB are available on its recently launched Website — www.cdysb.ie). The Youth Affairs Section of my...

Written Answers — Vocational Education Committees: Vocational Education Committees (7 Jun 2006)

Síle de Valera: I propose to take Questions Nos. 356 to 360, inclusive, together. My Department never acquired ownership of the Montbard property. It was purchased by the VEC in 1994 to be used as part of the VEC's Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) and Youthreach programmes. The purchase price was approximately €100,000 (£80,000). In addition to the purchase price, the VEC spent €260,000...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (1 Jun 2006)

Síle de Valera: Bus Éireann has placed contracts for these new buses and they are expected to be put into service in the next school year.

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (1 Jun 2006)

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

School Accommodation. (31 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: At the outset, I thank the Deputy for raising the matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline to the House the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and to outline the position of the Department of Education and Science regarding the proposed developments at post-primary level in Croom, County Limerick. Modernising facilities in our 3,200 primary and 750...

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (31 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: The Youth Affairs Section of my Department has received a number of applications in 2006 for youth projects in the Donegal region, via Donegal VEC, for funding under the Special Projects for Disadvantaged Youth scheme. My Department is at present giving consideration to these requests and to other applications made for youth work funding in 2006, having regard to the overall level of...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (31 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: The person referred to in the details supplied is receiving the maximum grant payable. Cases involving the payment of grants are kept under review in order to ensure that children are being transported to school in the most cost effective and efficient way possible.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (30 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: In June, 2005, a Working Group comprising representatives from the Departments of Education and Science, Transport and Finance was set up to progress measures to enhance school bus safety. Bus Éireann also attends the meetings. The Working Group has met on several occasions to discuss a range of safety issues relating to school transport operations and continues to meet as required. Arising...

Written Answers — Literacy Levels: Literacy Levels (25 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: The draft report referred to by the deputy is currently being considered by the Joint Committee for Education and Science. The Committee has not yet adopted or finalised the report and as a result I have not seen it. The Adult Literacy service is organised by and delivered through the VEC Adult Literacy Schemes throughout the country. The service is resourced and managed by the VECs through...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (25 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: Bus Éireann informed my Department that there was a fire extinguisher on board the bus in question. The incident happened in County Westmeath on route to Athboy Post-primary centre. According to Road Traffic Regulations, every bus with more than eight seats, excluding the driver's seat, is required to carry a fire extinguisher. The cause of the fire in this case is not known but is under...

Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (25 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 82 together. The National Adult Learning Council was formed in March 2002 on an ad hoc basis with the intention that it would be established as a statutory body under Section 54 of the Education Act 1998. Following the formation of the ad-hoc Council, concerns emerged that the functions envisaged for the Council were too wide-ranging and were not...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (25 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 77 together. In relation to the facility raised by the Deputies, I am endeavouring to ascertain the position and will communicate with the Deputies when I have done this.

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (25 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: The Youth Work Act 2001 provides a legal framework for the provision of youth work programmes and services to be organised by the Minister for Education and Science, the Vocational Education Committees and national and regional youth work organisations. Section 1 of the Act provides for sections to be commenced at different stages, and to date Sections 2-7, 17, 18 and 24 have been commenced....

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (25 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: This information is not available in my Department. The education of prisoners is a matter for the vocational education committees in which prisons are located. Details of such budgets are not maintained centrally.

Written Answers — Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme: Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (25 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: VTOS programmes are delivered in VEC premises, adult education centres, and premises rented by VECs specifically for the purpose of delivering the VTOS. VECs are given an annual non-pay grant to cover the cost of overheads such as light, heat, maintenance of premises, purchase of equipment, and provision of books and materials for students. In January 2006 VECs were given an increase in this...

Written Answers — Higher and Further Education: Higher and Further Education (25 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 96 together. Government commitment to the PLC sector, by reference to the resources applied in teachers' pay, non-pay running costs, student support and certification costs, is very significant. We have increased the number of PLC places by 60% since 1996/97. Indeed, the number of PLC places approved for 2005/2006 is up by more than 1,600 on the 2004/05...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (25 May 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 and on school buses. In January, 2005, I launched a Warning Flashing Light Project on 22 buses in Ennis, Co. Clare. In July, 2005, Minister Hanafin and...