Results 141-160 of 623 for speaker:Síle de Valera

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (27 Sep 2006)

Síle de Valera: My Department has requested Bus Éireann to provide an update on the position for the current school year. When this report is received and considered my Department will contact the Deputy.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (27 Sep 2006)

Síle de Valera: The pupils referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied are eligible for catchment boundary transport. Bus Éireann and the Transport Liaison Officer have advised that these pupils have purchased tickets and are availing of a school transport service.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (27 Sep 2006)

Síle de Valera: My Department requested a report from Bus Éireann on the case referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied. The information furnished in the report indicated that the pupils are availing of a service within the guidelines of the School Transport Scheme. Furthermore, the Transport Liaison Officer for County Mayo has advised that these children are picked up in the schoolyard on their...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (27 Sep 2006)

Síle de Valera: My Department requested Bus Éireann to provide a report on this case. The report indicated that the majority of the children concerned are not eligible for transport to the school referred to in the details supplied as they reside in a 'closed school area'. In the case of amalgamations, pupils residing in a 'closed school area' are deemed eligible for transport to the school of...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (27 Sep 2006)

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

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (27 Sep 2006)

Síle de Valera: To be eligible for transport under the terms of the Primary School Transport scheme a child must be living 3.2 kilometres or more and attending their nearest suitable national school as determined by my Department. According to records in my Department, the family referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, is not eligible for transport to the school referred to. If the Deputy wishes...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (27 Sep 2006)

Síle de Valera: It is a matter for the board of management of the school in question to complete an Evidence of Agreement Form. Where the board of management refuses to do so, it is not the practice for my Department to intervene. One of my Department's concerns is to protect the interests of small rural schools which may be adversely affected where concessionary fare-paying transport is provided to pupils...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (27 Sep 2006)

Síle de Valera: My Department provides funding to the authorities of the school referred in the details supplied to facilitate the employment of an escort on the special school transport service in question. However, my Department understands that difficulties have been encountered in securing the services of an escort to accompany children on the entire bus journey. My Department also understands that the...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (27 Sep 2006)

Síle de Valera: Bus Éireann has informed my Department it is envisaged that formal vetting procedures will come on stream later this year for new school bus drivers and at a later stage for all existing drivers, including Bus Éireann, contractor and taxi drivers engaged under the school transport scheme.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (27 Sep 2006)

Síle de Valera: My Department has requested Bus Éireann to furnish a report on the background to the case referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (27 Sep 2006)

Síle de Valera: Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme, a pupil is eligible for transport if s/he resides 4.8 kilometres or more from her/his local post primary education centre, that is, the centre serving the catchment area in which s/he lives. Pupils who are eligible for transport to the education centre in the catchment area in which they reside may avail of 'catchment...

Written Answers — Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme: Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (27 Sep 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. One of these further education programmes is the Vocational Training Opportunities...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (27 Sep 2006)

Síle de Valera: I have no plans to exempt students with individual medical cards from paying charges associated with school bus tickets. The statistical information requested by the Deputy is not available.

Written Answers — Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme: Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (27 Sep 2006)

Síle de Valera: The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) provides full-time second-chance education and training opportunities for unemployed adults who are at least 21 years of age and in receipt of specific social welfare payments for at least six months (156 days) directly prior to the course commencement date. The scheme is funded by my Department and operated through the 33 Vocational...

Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (27 Sep 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 — Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme: Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (27 Sep 2006)

Síle de Valera: The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) provides full-time second-chance education and training opportunities for unemployed adults who are in receipt of specified social welfare payments for at least six months (156) days. The scheme is funded by my Department and operated through the 33 Vocational Education Committees (VECs). The Vocational Education Committee (VEC) in...

Written Answers — School Catchment Areas: School Catchment Areas (27 Sep 2006)

Síle de Valera: The statistical information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. Reviews of specific catchment boundaries may be carried out where, for example, a new post-primary school is established in an area where previously there was none or, conversely, where a "sole provider" school closes due to declining enrolment. I do not propose to have a general country wide review of catchment...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (27 Sep 2006)

Síle de Valera: My Department has received an initial report from Bus Éireann regarding the transport arrangements for the children referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied. My Department has sought clarification on a number issues and will revert to the family when further information is received.

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (27 Sep 2006)

Síle de Valera: My Department has requested Bus Éireann to review the situation in relation to the provision of school transport to the school mentioned in the details provided. When this report is received the family in question will be notified.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (6 Jul 2006)

Síle de Valera: The main schemes of funding from my Department to non-governmental organisations are those funded by the Youth Affairs Section in support of the youth work activities of voluntary youth work organisations/projects. The main schemes funded are the Youth Service Grant Scheme, the Special Projects for Youth, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund, Youth Information Centres, and the Local...