Martin, Micheál

Tuesday, 14 December 1999

Dáil Éireann Debate
Vol. 512 No. 6

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Written Answers. - Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme.

Was asked: the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was refused an extra training allowance of £25 per week on VTOS in view of the fact that she was unemployed prior to commencing the course; and he...More Button

Was asked: the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was refused an extra training allowance of £25 per week on VTOS in view of the fact that she was unemployed prior to commencing the course; and he...More Button

Was asked: the reason a person in County Mayo was refused an extra training allowance £25 per week on VTOS in view of the fact that she was unemployed prior to commencing the course; and her full entitlements.More Button

I propose to take Questions Nos. 368, 369 and 370 together. In April of this year, a training bonus of £25 per week was introduced for FÁS participants who were registered as long-term unemployed prio...More Button

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Was asked: if a classroom assistant will be appointed to Mourne Road secondary school, Drimnagh, Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter.More Button

My Department recently received an application from the authorities of Mourne Road secondary school for the allocation of a child care assistant to the school. The matter has been referred to the psyc...More Button

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Was asked: if the pre-fabricated classrooms at Rahan national school, Mallow, County Cork, will be replaced by a new classroom extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter.More Button

My Department's building unit does not appear to have received an application from Rahan national school, Mallow, County Cork, for an extension to the school.More Button

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants

Was asked: the sum received by students by way of ESF grants in each third level college; the proportion in each college of qualifying students from the PAYE sector, self-employed or other source of income; and ...More Button

The vocational education committees award maintenance grants to eligible candidates in accordance with the terms of the European Social Fund – aided third level courses – maintenance grants scheme for...More Button

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Was asked: the reason for the continuing delay in the building of the new VEC college for the north side of Drogheda, County Louth; when this college will commence; the reason for the delay; and if he will make ...More Button

An application for a new school to replace St. Laurence's vocational school in Drogheda, County Louth, has been made to the post-primary building unit of my Department. This project is at stage 4 – de...More Button

Written Answers. - Youth Projects.

Was asked: the programme of work for a youth project (details supplied) in County Mayo following its allocation of a grant from his Department; the names and details of persons involved in the group; and the wor...More Button

This voluntary youth project is operated under the aegis of the National Youth Federation. The aim of the project is to plan and deliver youth work programmes relevant to the needs of identified young...More Button

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Was asked: if he has considered the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow in respect of a higher education grant.More Button

The student to whom the Deputy refers applied to Carlow County Council for a grant under the higher education grants scheme 1999 and was turned down on the basis that the reckonable income in his case...More Button

Written Answers. - Psychological Service.

Was asked: the constituencies into which he has appointed educational psychologists for primary schools since coming into office; and if he will make a statement on the matter.More Button

Very soon after I took up office in 1997 I realised that there was a need to expand my Department's psychological service in order to meet demand. There was a need to increase the level of support at ...More Button

Was asked: when he will appoint educational psychologists to the primary sector; if at least one of these will be appointed to the Waterford constituency; and if he will make a statement on the matter.More Button

At present approximately 700 primary schools have access to a psychologist through the National Educational Psychological Service Agency – NEPS. The expansion of the NEPS is now beginning. Interviews ...More Button

Written Answers. - School Placement.

Was asked: if he will clarify the future second level streaming of pupils from the multidenominational Lucan Educate Together school in view of the severe pressures on the existing second level schools in Lucan;...More Button

I take it that what the Deputy is referring to in his question is that there will be adequate post-primary accommodation available in the Lucan area to cater for output from the Lucan Educate Together...More Button

Written Answers. - Institutes of Technology.

Was asked: if he has satisfied himself that the conduct of governing body meetings and appointments to institutes of technology in line with the reform of the Regional Technical Colleges (Amendment) Act, 1994.More Button

Section 13 of the Second Schedule of the Regional Technical Colleges Act, 1992, states that “Subject to the provisions of this Act a governing body shall regulate, by standing orders or otherwise, its...More Button

Written Answers. - School Attendance.

Was asked: if the requirement of attending school on 183 days in the school year for primary children is monitored by his Department; the instances, if any, in which less than this standard is accepted by his De...More Button

Boards of management are charged with the direct governance of schools and as such are responsible for ensuring that schools meet the prescribed minimum requirement of being open for 183 days each sch...More Button

Written Answers. - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.

Was asked: the reason for the different application of approval and retention thresholds for teachers in gaelscoileanna and ordinary primary schools; the number of extra teachers needed if the same regime was ap...More Button

Gaelscoileanna enjoy a more favourable overall pupil teacher ratio than that which applies in all other mainstream primary schools. This policy has been pursued over many years by successive Governmen...More Button

Written Answers. - Teaching Qualifications.

Was asked: the discussions, if any, he has had to date with the bodies representing Montessori teachers for the full recognition of their teaching qualification throughout the early childhood and junior primary ...More Button

Under existing arrangements, recognition to teach in special schools and in special classes in national schools, and for posts as resource teachers in national schools, extends to qualified Montessori...More Button

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Was asked: the proposals, if any, in place to provide a primary school for the Littlepace and Castaheaney areas of Dublin 15 in view of the numbers of houses built in the area and fully occupied and the demands ...More Button

The position is as set out in my reply to Parliamentary Question Number 387 of 16 November 1999.More Button

Was asked: the provision, if any, he has made in respect of a permanent site and building for the Dublin 15 multidenominational school project currently occupying temporary premises in Laurel Lodge community cen...More Button

It is only when a school has been granted permanent recognition that it becomes eligible to apply for capital grant-aid towards the cost of a school site and building. The school referred to by the D...More Button

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Was asked: the reason a fourth assistant teacher for the 1999-2000 school year was not sanctioned to St Margaret's national school in view of the fact that enrolment on 30 September 1999 was 124 pupils; if sanct...More Button

As the Deputy is aware, I have been concerned for some time about the number of large classes in the primary system, and have been examining ways to target additional teaching resources to those schoo...More Button

Written Answers. - Drugs Awareness Programme.

Was asked: if he has satisfied himself that there is a proper drugs awareness programme with adequate resources available to teachers and schools to educate pupils on the dangers of drugs and alcohol abuse; the ...More Button

The programme of substance misuse prevention education for primary schools was developed by my Department in consultation with partners in Education and other relevant interests. This programme is cal...More Button

Written Answers. - Psychological Service.

Was asked: if he will ensure the resumption of psychology services to the School of the Holy Spirit, Kilkenny, in view of the fact that this service was withdrawn in September 1999 with consequences for children...More Button

My understanding is that the psychological service for the South Eastern Health Board provided for this school that was withdrawn in September 1999. For the moment, the National Educational Psychologi...More Button

Written Answers. - School Transport.

Was asked: further to Parliamentary Question No. 395 of 9 November 1999, the manner and programme in which his allocation of £19,980 was spent by St Patrick's special school, Kilkenny, in view of the fact that i...More Button

Was asked: the action, if any, he will take to resolve the ongoing difficulties in relation to appointing escorts to buses bringing children with special needs to schools.More Button

I propose to take Questions Nos. 389 and 393 together. The school referred to by the Deputy Hogan is one of a group of schools which have refrained from appointing escorts to their special transport s...More Button

Was asked: if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 588 of 2 November 1999, he will report on the school transport for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.More Button

The report I referred to in my reply to Dáil Question No. 588 on 2 November last has not yet been received. My Department has been in contact with the transport liaison officer to expedite the matter....More Button

Written Answers. - School Accommodation.

Was asked: if a primary school (details supplied) in County Wexford will be approved for the provision of a second additional classroom; and if the overall construction of this project will be expedited in view ...More Button

The accommodation brief for the proposed extension at the school in question is being finalised and my Department will be in contact with the school authorities shortly. It is too early at this stage ...More Button

Written Answers. - College Courses.

Was asked: the funding mechanisms in place to help persons attempting to enrol in full-time college courses; the funding available for women who have been out of the education system for a considerable period of...More Button

Under the free fees initiative, the Department of Education and Science meets the tuition fees of eligible students who are attending full-time undergraduate courses, other than ESF aided courses in ...More Button

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the pressure principals of national schools, particularly the smaller schools, are being subjected to in view of the extra work load of responsibilities they have to...More Button

The report of the working group which I set up last year to examine the rights, roles, duties and responsibilities of principals in primary schools was recently presented to me. I myself recently met ...More Button

Written Answers. - Youth and Sports Grant Scheme.

Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the concern among VEC's that there is a possibility of the youth and sport grants, presently administered by his Department, being removed and administered by anothe...More Button

I refer the Deputy to my replies to Parliamentary Questions 33 and 231 of Wednesday, 1 December 1999 in which I indicated that my Department is involved in on-going discussions with the Department of ...More Button

Written Answers. - School Placement.

Was asked: the steps, if any, he is taking to place a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in full-time education; the reason he has been out of school for the past three years; the steps, if any, taken ...More Button

The case raised by the Deputy has not previously been brought to my Department's attention. I have asked my Department's inspectorate to investigate this case as a matter of urgency with a view to ens...More Button

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Was asked: the progress, if any, in providing an extension to St. Coleman's national school, Clara, County Kilkenny; the cost of the project; and the timeframe in this regard.More Button

Architectural planning is proceeding for an extension to St. Coleman's national school Clara, County Kilkenny. At this early stage it is not possible to give a costing or a timeframe for the project. ...More Button

Written Answers. - National College of Ireland.

Was asked: the progress, if any, to date in the proposed move of the National College of Ireland campus to the docklands; and when he will issue full approval.More Button

This matter is still under consideration by my Department and the Department of Finance and I hope to be in a position shortly to convey a decision on it.More Button

Written Answers. - School Transport.

Was asked: if he will provide school transport for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry to Killorglin intermediate school; and if he will make a statement on the matter.More Button

My Department has no details on file in respect of the pupil concerned. A report has been requested from the appropriate transport liaison officer and the Deputy will be advised of the position as soo...More Button

Written Answers. - Psychological Service.

Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the fact that teachers who contact the health board psychology service are told to contact his Department's school psychology service regarding children who have spe...More Button

I am aware of the situation raised by the Deputy. In the past, responsibility for the assessment of national school children rested with the health boards or with voluntary organisations under their a...More Button

Written Answers. - Capitation Grant.

Was asked: if he will compare the capitation allowance paid by his Department for pupils at primary schools with that paid for pupils at each type of second level school; the reason heat, light and other costs a...More Button

The available data do not facilitate valid comparisons to be made between the levels of grants paid and the actual costs of running schools at primary and second level. However, it is accepted that ma...More Button

Written Answers. - Secretarial and Caretaking Services.

Was asked: the funds available from his Department to provide secretarial and caretaking services at a typical two teacher primary school with 38 pupils; his views on whether these funds are adequate to provide ...More Button

Was asked: the plans, if any, he has to provide caretaker and secretarial support to all primary schools; the number of schools without this support; and if he will make a statement on the matter.More Button

I propose to take Questions Nos. 402 and 409 together. My Department provides funding towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services in primary schools under two separate schemes. One scheme ...More Button

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Was asked: if he will lower the requirements for the appointment of further administrative principals in view of the increasing administrative duties to be undertaken by principal teachers in primary schools.More Button

Was asked: if he will appoint part-time teachers to primary schools which do not qualify to have an administrative principal thereby enabling the principal the time to carry out administrative duties; if he has ...More Button

Was asked: the plans, if any, he has to provide support by way of substitute teachers to teaching principals in primary schools; the number of full-time teaching principals; and if he will make a statement on th...More Button

I propose to take Questions Nos. 403, 404 and 408 together. The issues raised by the Deputies regarding principals in primary schools were discussed when I met the INTO recently. Officials of my Depar...More Button

Written Answers. - Secretarial and Caretaking Services.

Was asked: the number of primary schools which have full-time school caretakers with salaries fully funded by his Department and the Department of Finance.More Button

Was asked: the number of primary schools which have full-time school secretaries with salaries fully funded by his Department and the Department of Finance.More Button

I propose to take Questions Nos. 405 and 406 together. The original scheme for the provision of caretaking and secretarial services, introduced in 1978-79, provides grants in respect of the remunerati...More Button

Was asked: the annual allocation from his Department for secretarial and caretaker services for a typical one, two, three, four, five, six, seven and eight teacher school assuming in each case the number of pupi...More Button

My Department provides funding towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services in primary schools under two separate schemes. One scheme is the 1978-79 scheme for the employment of school secr...More Button

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the need to sanction the appointment of a resource teacher and classroom assistants to Bunscoil Mhuire, Youghal, County Cork; if so, the date in this regard; the num...More Button

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has recently sanctioned 12.5 hours per week resource teaching support and a full-time special needs assistant post for the school in question. Thes...More Button

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Was asked: when work will commence on the sports hall at Collinstown Park community college; and if he will make a statement on the matter.More Button

A revised stage two-three, outline sketch-developed sketch, submission in respect of the PE hall project at Collinstown Park Community College is currently being examined within my Department. When th...More Button


Last Updated: 20/05/2011 16:05:04 First Page Previous Page Page of 278 Next Page Last Page