Results 281-300 of 623 for speaker:Síle de Valera

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (Resumed). (17 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: Regarding the significant plans in train to provide the requisite accommodation in Dublin 15, I find it difficult to accept the proposals put forward by Deputy Burton who persists in trying to create panic over this matter. This is despite having been told of these plans time and again by the Minister, Deputy Hanafin. It may be colourful and headline grabbing to make outrageous allegations...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (16 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: The request was received in the Freedom of Information Unit on 28th March 2006 and the relevant information was forwarded to the applicant on 11 May, 2006.

Seanad: Third Level Places. (16 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: I thank Senator Tuffy for raising this matter on the Adjournment. I should point out that universities and institutes of technology are autonomous institutions and, as such, are free to reduce or increase places available in particular disciplines in accordance with student demand and industry requirements. The Department of Education and Science does not have specific statistics on places...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (11 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: Under the terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme, only eligible children qualify for free transport. In order to be eligible, children must reside 3.2 kilometres or more from, and be attending, their nearest national school. As a rule primary school transport routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible pupil will have more than 2.4 kilometres to travel to a pick up...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (11 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: The position generally is that eligibility for school transport is determined by distance from home to the nearest primary school or post-primary centre. The phasing out of the 3 for 2 seating arrangement on school buses arising from the use of seat belts will not affect the overall seating provision for those who are eligible for transport. However, the availability of concessionary...

Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (10 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: 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 level. The number of approved places in the sector...

Written Answers — Capitation Grants: Capitation Grants (10 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: Most colleges offering Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) Courses are under the management of the Vocational Education Committees. Funding is provided for pay and non-pay costs on the basis of an approved number of places on approved courses run by the colleges. Each year, PLC providers are required to forward their proposals for the provision of PLCs to the Department for approval. Applications...

Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (10 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 to 100, inclusive, together. PLC programmes are a critically important feature of the lifelong education continuum. For young people looking to enhance their qualifications and employment prospects, for those seeking an alternative route of entry into higher education and for older adults wishing to return to learning, the PLC route offers an invaluable...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (10 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: The position generally is that eligibility for school transport is determined by distance from home to the nearest primary school or post-primary centre. The phasing out of the 3 for 2 seating arrangement on school buses arising from the use of seat belts will not affect the overall seating provision for those who are eligible for transport. Furthermore, this initiative does not necessarily...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (9 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: The circumstances of the case raised by the Deputy, in the details provided, are being reviewed at present by my Department and I anticipate that the matter will be submitted for my consideration in the near future. Arrangements will be made to notify all relevant parties as soon as a decision has been made.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (9 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: The pupils referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied 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, which means that the three for two seating arrangement no longer applies on school buses fitted with seat...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (9 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: The introduction of one for one seating arrangements on school transport services operated on my Department's behalf does not necessarily mean that concessionary transport will be discontinued. The availability of such transport depends on the number of spare seats available after all other eligible pupils have been accommodated. I must point out, however, that significant investment has been...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (9 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: The specific information sought by the Deputy in relation to the ages of school buses is not readily available. However, I can assure the Deputy that all vehicles operating under the School Transport Scheme are required to meet the statutory regulations as laid down by the Department of Transport. Where vehicles have over eight adult seats and are more than one year old, they are required to...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (9 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: My Department has requested Bus Éireann to furnish a detailed report on the background to the case referred to by the Deputy. The matter will be considered as soon as the report is received and the Deputy will be advised of the position.

Written Answers — Community Services: Community Services (9 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: The future use of the premises in question is primarily a matter for the VEC. There is currently a shortage of accommodation for the services provided by the VEC in the Tallaght area. Accordingly, the committee intends to use the premises exclusively for the provision of these services. They will not be available for community use.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (9 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: I thank Senator Bannon for raising this matter on the Adjournment as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to this House the proposals of the Department of Education and Science with regard to the proposed building project at Forgney national school, Moyvore, Mullingar, County Westmeath. At the outset I wish to point out that modernising facilities in our 3,200 primary and 750...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (9 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: As I indicated to the Senator, the technical inspection will take place as soon as it is feasible to do so.

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (4 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 214 together. The expenditure review of Youthreach and Senior Traveller Training Centres referred to by the Deputies which is being conducted by my Department will cover all aspects of the Youthreach and Senior Traveller Training Centres. This review will take a holistic view of the centres and will endeavour to identify where improvements can be made....

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

Síle de Valera: My Department has received confirmation from the Transport Liaison Officer for County Cork that negotiations between parents and Bus Éireann have resolved the situation to the satisfaction of all parties concerned.

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (4 May 2006)

Síle de Valera: A request for funding under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme has been received in my Department on behalf of the Rathkeale Outreach Youth Project. My Department is at present giving consideration to this request and to other applications made for youth work funding in 2006, having regard to the overall level of financial resources available for the youth work sector. A decision in this...