Results 141-160 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (10 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, as part of the devolved initiative contained in section 1 of the 2004 school building programme, Ballinagare national school has accepted a maximum grant of €100,000 to fund the provision of additional school accommodation.

Written Answers — Capitation Grants: Capitation Grants (10 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The annual primary census forms for the current school year are still being collected, checked, inputted and validated within my Department. Therefore, the information requested by the Deputy is not yet available for the 2003-04 school year. Under my Department's policy which is set out in primary circular 32/03, pupils should only be allowed to repeat a year for educational reasons and in...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (10 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy. My officials will be in contact with the family of the person in question shortly.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (10 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: Any decision to undertake a staff survey in relation to decentralisation is a matter for the Higher Education Authority. However, I understand that no survey has been undertaken to date.

Written Answers — Staff Transfers: Staff Transfers (10 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The number of civil servants on the central transfer list for transfer to my Department's office in Athlone is as follows: clerical officer, 238; and staff officer, 12. Half, 50%, of the clerical officer and a quarter, 25%, of the staff officer vacancies arising in my Department's offices in Athlone, are filled from the central transfer lists.

Written Answers — Schools Recognition: Schools Recognition (10 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: An application has been received in the school planning section of my Department for permanent recognition for Gaelscoil Chaladh an Treoigh. Officials in the school planning section are currently examining this application and they will revert to the school management authority shortly.

Written Answers — Benchmarking Awards: Benchmarking Awards (10 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The payment of the final two phases of the benchmarking increase and general round increase due under the Sustaining Progress agreement is dependent, in the case of each sector, organisation and grade on verification of co-operation with flexibility and ongoing change, satisfactory implementation of the agenda for modernisation, maintenance of stable industrial relations and absence of...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (10 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the site for the new post-primary school building at Castlegregory, Tralee, County Kerry, has been acquired by my Department.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (10 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The school planning section of my Department is examining educational provision at primary level in the Gorey area. Factors under consideration include population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and the capacity of existing schools to meet the demand for places. When the examination is completed, a decision will be taken on...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (10 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 253 together. The management authorities of Craughwell national school were allocated a grant of €70,000 in July 2003 for the provision of a temporary classroom. The school authorities have indicated the wish to build a permanent classroom and my Department has no objections to this proposal. An application for a second classroom is currently being...

Written Answers — Parents' Organisations: Parents' Organisations (10 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: My Department provided a copy of the review referred to by the Deputy to all of the interested parental groups in late October 2003. Each organisation was invited to consider the report and to forward written observations or alternatively to meet with officials of my Department to discuss their response to the report. My Department has received written submissions from the National Congress...

Written Answers — Parents' Organisations: Parents' Organisations (10 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: In 2004, my Department has provided an allocation of €165,000 for the National Parents' Council, post primary. The support provided to the National Parents' Council reflects the commitment given by the Government in recognising the role of parent participation in the education system. My Department also provides an annual grant to the National Parents' Council — primary.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (10 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: My Department has had a number of meetings with representatives of St. Joseph's, the most recent of which took place on 29 January last. Further discussions are planned. It is important to clarify the context and purpose of the current round of meetings. Arising from the report of a planning group, which was established to consider proposals for the development of a national centre for the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (10 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: An application for grant aid has been received from the management authorities of Aughawillan national school, County Leitrim. As I announced when publishing the capital programme 2004, my Department will consult with the education partners in the coming weeks on prioritisation criteria. Following this consultation, a review of all projects will be undertaken and considered with a view to...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (10 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: Under the terms of my Department's higher education grants scheme, a student is not eligible for grant assistance in respect of a second period of study at the same level irrespective of whether a grant was paid previously. The scheme also provides that grants may not be paid to candidates who already hold a postgraduate qualification and are pursuing a second postgraduate qualification....

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (10 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The circular which issued on the revised junior certificate science syllabus provided that 10% of the marks would apply to mandatory experiments and investigations which students would be required to complete and record in a laboratory notebook over the three years of the course, together with a further 25% of the marks in respect of two specified investigations in the third year of the...

Written Answers — Science and Technology Funding: Science and Technology Funding (10 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: It is understood that this question refers to the report of the Joint Committee on Education and Science on science and technology of October 2000. Of the 31 recommendations in the report which relate to the education sector, five have not been implemented, 12 have been implemented and partial progress has been made on a further 14. A progress report is being forwarded to the Deputy and is...

Written Answers — Garda Vetting Procedures: Garda Vetting Procedures (10 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: As the Deputy will be aware, I am not in a position to comment on individual cases. A joint working group on child protection was established by the North-South Ministerial Council. The group was composed of officials from my Department and the Department of Education, Northern Ireland. It subsequently submitted its report to the council which agreed on the broad approach taken and signalled...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (10 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The school referred to by the Deputy has the services of a full-time shared learning support teacher. My Department is currently reviewing existing arrangements for the allocation of special educational supports to primary schools. In that context, my officials have initiated discussions on the matter with representative interests. At this stage, it would be premature to anticipate the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (10 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The total allocation for the school building programme for 2003 was €342.9 million. Expenditure of €346.9 million was incurred on the programme during the year resulting in an excess of €4 million.