Results 21-40 of 623 for speaker:Síle de Valera

Written Answers — Bullying in Schools: Bullying in Schools (28 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: Regarding implementation of the resource guide in question by organisations in the youth sector, the position is that publication of the resource is to be welcomed and it complements existing resources available in this sector under the National Youth Health Programme operated by the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI). In relation to schools, the Deputy will be aware that every school...

Written Answers — Youth Work: Youth Work (28 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: The appointment of an Assessor of Youth Work was identified as a priority in the National Youth Work Development Plan 2003-07. This post is viewed by all involved in youth work as an essential step forward. An appointment was made to this position in August 2006 on a two year contract basis.

Written Answers — Youth Work: Youth Work (28 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: I propose to take Questions Nos. 415 and 417 together. A North/South Committee for the professional endorsement of youth work training was established in October 2005 following detailed discussions between representatives of the National Youth Work Advisory Committee (NYWAC) and the Youth Council of Northern Ireland, National Youth Agency in Leicester and the Department of Education in...

Written Answers — Youth Work: Youth Work (28 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) is funded under the Youth Service Grant Scheme administered by the Youth Affairs Section of my Department and is the prescribed national representative youth work organisation under the terms of the Youth Work Act, 2001. The financial allocation to the NYCI from my Department for 2006 is €691,897. The total allocation to date in 2006 for the...

Written Answers — Youth Work: Youth Work (28 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: The National Youth Work Advisory Committee (NYWAC) was appointed in April 2002 under the Youth Work Act, 2001 for a period of up to five years. The main function of this Committee is to advise the Minister on the development of youth work policy. Some eight sub-committees/working groups have been working on a range of issues since 2002 including a sub-committee charged with the development...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (28 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: The case referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied has been considered by the School Transport Appeals Board which found that the present level of service to the school in question is reasonable and that the benefits of an exclusive service would not justify the costs involved. In the circumstances, it is not open to me to re-examine the case.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (28 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: My Department has requested the Transport Liaison Officer for County Kilkenny to examine the situation regarding school transport for the pupils referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied. The Transport Liaison Officer will contact the families when this examination is completed.

Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (22 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: The Adult Literacy services are administered locally by vocational education committees with funding provided by my Department. A grant is paid annually for this purpose and VECs have complete discretion in distributing literacy funds, deciding on the nature and extent of the service to be provided and the manner in which literacy funds should be spent, subject to adherence to the overall...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (22 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: I propose to take Questions Nos. 404 and 406 together. My Department agreed to sanction the continuance of the existing transport arrangements, referred to by the Deputy, for the current school year. The families in question will be notified of any change in these arrangements in advance of the next school year.

Housing Policy: Motion (Resumed). (22 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: I welcome this opportunity to address some of the issues raised during the course of this debate. We heard much from the Opposition yesterday about the plight of first-time buyers. I reassure the House that access to affordable housing for first-time buyers remains a core objective of the Government's housing policy. This objective is being supported by record levels of housing; one in...

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: With the permission of the House, I would like to share time with Deputy Ó Fearghaíl. Last week I was delighted to be able to announce a 12% increase in 2007 in the financial provision for the adult and further education sector, compared with an increase of roughly 8% for the Department of Education and Science as a whole. Adult and further education expenditure will rise to approximately...

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: I thank the Deputy for his endorsement.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (21 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme, a pupil is eligible for transport if he or she resides 4.8 kilometres or more from his or her local post primary education centre, that is, the centre serving the catchment area in which he or she lives. The scheme is not designed to facilitate parents who chose to send their children to a post primary centre outside of...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (21 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: In view of the nature of the transport arrangements available to the family in question my Department has worked closely with Bus Éireann in an effort to provide a more suitable service. A letter has issued to the family explaining the position, and offering a remote area grant towards the cost of transport.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (21 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: The case referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied has been considered by the School Transport Appeals Board who found that the present level of service to the school in question is reasonable and that the benefits of an exclusive service would not justify the costs involved. In view of the further issue raised by the Deputy regarding safety of pupils I have brought the matter to the...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (21 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: The case referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied has been considered by the School Transport Appeals Board who found that the present level of service to the school in question is reasonable and that the benefits of an exclusive service would not justify the costs involved. In the circumstances, it is not open to me to re-examine the case.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (21 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: My Department has requested Bus Éireann to provide a report on the situation regarding School Transport for the pupil referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied. When this information is received my Department will contact the family concerned.

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (21 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: I propose to take Questions Nos. 554 to 556, inclusive, together. The Youthreach Programme is an Inter-Departmental initiative which 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 funded by my...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (16 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: I should explain that, in order to be eligible for free transport under the terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme, children must live at least 3.2 kilometres from, and be attending, their nearest national school or gaelscoil. This family were deemed ineligible for school transport to the school referred to by the Deputy in the details provided, as they reside nearer to another school...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (16 Nov 2006)

Síle de Valera: The Youthreach Programme is an Inter-Departmental initiative which 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 funded by my Department is delivered in out of school centres and is managed by...