Hanafin, MaryThursday, 15 December 2005 |
Dáil Eireann Debate
Page of 317
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Order of Business.
In-service courses.
Appropriation Bill 2005: Order for Second Stage.
I move: “That Second Stage be taken now.”
Irish Medicines Board (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Financial Resolution.
I move: That provision be made in the Act giving effect to this resolution for the charging in accordance with the Act of certain fees, being fees for the granting, amendment or renewal by the Irish M...
Priority Questions - Adult Education.
Was asked: the reason she has not progressed any of the recommendations of the McIver report on further education; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if a clear commitment will be given to the implementation of the McIver report; if so, when she intends to fund its implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Priority Questions - Special Educational Needs.
Was asked: the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 on being admitted to a dedicated autism unit (details supplied) in County Kildare ended up with less individual tuition and a complete cut in home t...
The home tuition scheme is primarily intended to provide compensatory instruction for pupils who have a medical ailment that is likely to cause major disruption to their attendance at school. My Depar...
Deputy Crowe has raised several issues. Irrespective of whether the child moved from one school to another the tuition grant would have been stopped for the first school because we hold the view that ...
Priority Questions - Multi-Denominational Schools.
Was asked: the steps she will take to ensure multi-denominational education is available as a choice for children throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
There is an open and transparent process in place for the recognition of new primary schools. A central element of this process is that patron bodies wishing to establish new schools must identify the...
The sector in question is the fastest growing category in the primary school area. In 1997, there were only 18 multi-denominational schools, while now the figure has more than doubled to 39. When one ...
Priority Questions - Special Educational Needs.
Was asked: if the allocation system for resource teachers for children with special needs is weighed against small disadvantaged schools for example inner city schools; the steps she is taking to rectify same; a...
The general allocation of learning support-resource teachers to schools is intended to cater for children with learning support and high incidence special educational needs. Learning support-resource ...
I have already met some of the principals, boards of management and other relevant individuals from some of the schools in the north inner city to which the Deputy referred.
The Deputy stated the schools in question are losing numbers. I note these schools have pupil-teacher ratios of 10.5:1, 10:1, 8:1——
It is not irrelevant because the Deputy asked whether I accept the areas he mentioned are disadvantaged.
The Department accepts they are disadvantaged which is the reason they have secured such high teacher-pupil ratios. Our objective is to encourage participation in the education system. The pupil-teach...
The Department is awaiting details from the schools and as soon as these are received——
All the Department is asking for is details from the schools regarding who the children are and what they need. That information has not been received and as soon as it comes——
I have met some of the relevant principals already.
Other Questions - Schools Building Projects.
Was asked: if, in view of the fact that a site has been assigned to a school (details supplied) in County Mayo, the school will be included on this year’s schools building list; when this school can expect to op...
The Deputy appears to have gone to Mayo. He will be aware, however, from responses to previous parliamentary questions that my Department has been actively pursuing the acquisition of a suitable site ...
Obviously we must wait until the site is legally tied down. The first priority for Deputy Cowley was to ensure we secured a site, a process which has been under way for some time. I am pleased to note...
Other Questions - Adult Education.
Was asked: if she will respond to the sense of betrayal felt by the TUI and its members who work in the further education sector at the failure to allocate funding in the Estimates and budget 2006 to implement t...
Was asked: when it is planned to implement the recommendations of the McIver report, in view of the serious concerns expressed by the TUI and others.
Was asked: the number of recommendations from the McIver report which have been implemented to date in 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: when the implementation of the recommendations in the McIver report will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I do not give preference to my own constituency.
Other Questions - Educational Disadvantage.
Was asked: the percentage of second level students offered a place or enrolling in a third level institution in 2004 and to date in 2005 from schools (details supplied).
Was asked: her views on the disparity in terms of students attending third level from schools in north and south-west Clondalkin compared with those in the Clondalkin village and Lucan areas.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 96 together. The information sought by the Deputy regarding participation for the identified areas is not collected by my Department. Since the introduction of f...
I accept that when there are huge disparities in participation rates they must be addressed. We have some of the figures for Clondalkin that the Deputy referred to because of the distinct postal distr...
Other Questions - Education Policy.
Was asked: if the YES consultation process has been evaluated within her Department; the measures which will be implemented or changes made as a result of the consultation process; and if she will make a stateme...
The YES consultation process was launched in January 2004, when the discussion document, Your Education System, was published. The process has included a range of meetings, including 17 public meeting...
I was very conscious that when a process like this has been undertaken, which involved so many members of the public, it would be important for it to feed into policy making. The final report is not a...
The honest answer is that I do not know, but with the calibre of the trustees responsible for it, Dr. Garret FitzGerald, Dr. Pádraig Hogan, Dr. Barry McGaw from the OECD, Dame Geraldine Keegan, Ned Su...
I do not believe there will be any proposals and I will not accept any presented to me. There are no recommendations in the report, which simply reports on a consultation process which took place. The...
Other Questions - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.
Was asked: the way in which she proposed to deploy the 500 extra teachers announced recently; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the progress she expects to make in 2006 in reaching the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government to reduce class sizes for under nines to 20:1 or less; and if she will make a statement on the...
Was asked: the way in which she intends to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in Kildare at primary level in view of the fact that it is the highest in the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: her plans to bring pupil-teacher ratios into line with commitments entered into at the general election in 2002; when she expects to bring Irish standards in this regard up to best practice throughout...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 16, 22 and 100 together. Major improvements in school staffing have been made in recent years with the hiring of more than 5,000 additional primary teachers. This ...
This would have been the case in the past.
The staffing schedule applies to mainstream schools throughout the country, with the most disadvantaged schools receiving more favourable treatment.
I expect at least 200 and possibly up to 300 teachers to be deployed next year.
If any school informs me that it does not have sufficient room for an extra teacher, I will advise it to wait until the next year if it does not wish to take on the new teacher.
I suggest that schools would be happy enough to take on extra teachers even if they do not have the space for them. Of course, it will place capital demands on schools, which we have anticipated. We w...
Written Answers - Third Level Education.
Was asked: the number of recommendations of the OECD report on third level education progressed to date in 2005 by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The OECD review of Irish higher education makes a series of far reaching recommendations for reform and development of the sector, against the backdrop of the crucial role which has been identified fo...
Written Answers - School Inspection Reports.
Was asked: if her Department will mandate all second level schools to produce an annual school report including information on a wide range of topics including exam results; and if she will make a statement on t...
There is no requirement for second level schools to produce an annual report. However, the Education Act 1998 requires the board of management of a school to establish procedures for informing the par...
Was asked: the nature of the information with regard to individual schools that will be made available to parents in 2006; the timeframe for same; the number of schools which will be included in 2006; and if she...
During the summer, I announced that my Department would publish school inspection reports arising from the general programme of school inspections. Under this programme, a selected number of schools i...
Written Answers - Stay Safe Programme.
Was asked: the number of primary schools which do not offer the Stay Safe programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the reason the Stay Safe programme has not been made mandatory in all primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if she has received updated information on the percentage of schools participating in the Stay Safe programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: her views on whether schools in receipt of moneys from the Exchequer should be required to offer the Stay Safe programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if the Stay Safe programme will be placed on the primary school curriculum to ensure that all schools offer the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 29, 39, 102 and 105 together. Child protection and the implementation of the Stay Safe programme for all children in every primary school are priorities for my Dep...
Written Answers - Irish Language.
Was asked: the number of second level students who attempted the higher level Irish examination paper in the 2004 leaving certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
A total of 55,222 candidates participated in the established leaving certificate examinations in 2004. Of this number, some 14,878 students sat the leaving certificate Gaeilge examination at higher le...
Written Answers - Residential Institutions Redress Scheme.
Was asked: her views on the contentions of a number of former residents of mother and baby homes and their legal representations that the State had a duty of care, where babies were born or placed in these insti...
The Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002 provides a statutory scheme of financial redress for persons who, as children, were abused while in residential institutional care. The scheme applies in ...
Written Answers - Irish Language.
Was asked: the steps she is taking to implement the findings of the steering group established under the auspices of the commission on school accommodation to establish criteria and procedures for establishing a...
The report of the steering group of the commission on school accommodation, entitled Criteria and Procedures for Establishing and Maintaining Provision through the Medium of Irish in Second Level Scho...
Written Answers - Third Level Education.
Was asked: the way in which new funding, announced in budget 2006, will be dispersed amongst third level institutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
In April 2005, as part of the Government’s plans for implementing the programme of reform and development recommended by the OECD in its review of higher education in Ireland, I announced that I would...
Written Answers - School Curriculum.
Was asked: the programme which exists to provide a suitable IT capability among students in all schools; the level of progress which has been achieved to date in 2005; and if she will make a statement on the mat...
There has been significant progress in the development of ICT infrastructure in schools, in enhancing teachers’ skills and pedagogical practice and in the development of curriculum and learning resour...
Written Answers - Traveller Education.
Was asked: her views on the failure to integrate Traveller children into the education system; the action her Department will take to ensure that Traveller children are not disadvantaged and deprived of educatio...
It is important, from the outset, to emphasise that the Traveller community is entitled to the same education provision as all others. The needs of the Traveller community are a high priority for me a...
Written Answers - Recruitment of Teachers.
Was asked: her proposals to encourage more men into the teaching profession; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the approach she will take to tackling the gender gap in teaching; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the changes she is proposing to make to encourage more boys to enrol in primary education teaching courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 83 and 106 together. I am aware of the decreasing numbers of males entering the teaching profession and it is an issue that is of concern to me. I believe it is im...
Written Answers - Youth Services.
Was asked: the progress made to date in 2005 in the implementation of the national youth work development plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The national youth work development plan, together with the Youth Work Act 2001, provides a framework for youth work in Ireland. The plan identifies four main goals and proposes some 50 action points ...
Was asked: further to the Youth Work Act 2001, her progress to date in 2005 in implementing the Act; the sections that have been implemented to date in 2005; the sections which remain unimplemented; her plans t...
Was asked: her progress to date in 2005 in the implementation of the national youth work development plan; if the plan has been implemented in its entirety; if not, what remains to be implemented; the timescale ...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 31 together. The Youth Work Act 2001 provides a legal framework for the provision of youth work programmes and services to be organised by the Minister for Educ...
Written Answers - Residential Institutions Redress Scheme.
Was asked: the number of applications which have been received to date in 2005 by the Residential Institutions Redress Board; the number of payments made and the amount of payments; and if she will make a statem...
The Residential Institutions Redress Board is an independent body established under statute in December 2002 to provide financial redress to persons who, as children, were abused while resident in ind...
Written Answers - Vetting Procedures.
Was asked: the position with regard to the vetting of all teachers and other staff by the central vetting unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the categories of persons working in schools which are included under the Garda vetting programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if she will ensure that members of school boards of management will be vetted by the central vetting unit prior to appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if all full and part-time teachers and other school staff will be vetted by the central vetting unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 36, 82 and 109 together. Ensuring the protection, health and welfare of children is a key concern for the Government, for parents, for agencies that work with chil...
Written Answers - School Transport.
Was asked: if it is her Department that sets out and administers the catchment boundary areas for school transport.
Was asked: if changes have been made in the past 30 years to the catchment areas for school transport eligibility.
Was asked: if there have been changes to the catchment boundary areas for school transport in terms of the way in which they have been traditionally interpreted.
Was asked: if her attention has been drawn to the case where her Department stepped in to tell the vocational educational committee it was wrong in its interpretation of the catchment boundary areas.
Was asked: if her attention has been drawn to the cases where the vocational educational committee has said the catchment boundary covers one area and her Department has said it covers another.
Was asked: if her Department had to correct any catchment boundary areas which were incorrect; and if so, the reason therefor.
Was asked: if her Department has no responsibility for the catchment area boundaries.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 35, 42, 47, 71, 73 and 75 together. Catchment boundaries have their origins in the establishment of free post-primary education in the late 1960s and were determin...
Written Answers - School Curriculum.
Was asked: if she intends to make changes to the rules and programme for secondary schools before the start of the next school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if the rules and programme for secondary schools will be amended in order that all pupils have a free choice in deciding the subjects to pursue to leaving certificate level; and if she will make a sta...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 66 together. In accordance with the rules and programme for secondary schools, the approved course for the established leaving certificate must include not less...
Written Answers - Area Development Plans.
Was asked: the proposed timeframe for the examination of the post-primary education needs of Limerick city and county; the nature of the investigation she intends to carry out; and if she will make a statement o...
I have recently announced the carrying out of an area development plan for Limerick city and its environs. This will cover educational provision in the city and surrounding area factoring in the exist...
Written Answers - Child Sexual Abuse.
Was asked: her views on the implications for her Department which arise from the recently published Ferns Report; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the actions she is taking to implement the recommendations of the Ferns Report; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the steps she is taking in view of the findings of the Ferns Report; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 55 and 308 together. The Ferns Report provides practical and far reaching recommendations to strengthen child protection measures in organisations working with chi...
Written Answers - Physical Education Facilities.
Was asked: the reason the physical education and sports grant continues to be withheld in view of increasing levels of obesity in schools; her plans to tackle this problem from an exercise, diet and sponsorship ...
My Department has provided in excess of €5.5 million in grant aid to primary schools to enable them to provide coaching, mentoring or purchase resource materials and equipment associated with the prov...
Written Answers - Site Acquisitions.
Was asked: the position regarding plans to provide a suitable replacement site for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
My Department has acknowledged the need for a replacement building to meet the future needs of the school referred to by the Deputy. It has also been established that the present site is unsuitable fo...
Written Answers - Psychological Service.
Was asked: the number of children given psychological assessments by the National Education Psychological Service for each year since its inception; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
All primary and post-primary schools have access to psychological assessments, either directly through the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, or through the scheme for commissioning psy...
Written Answers - Educational Disadvantage.
Was asked: the number of extra teachers she expects to employ next year in the context of the DEIS programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if the number of personnel working in the home, school and community liaison scheme will be increased in the context of the DEIS proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 78 together. A key element of DEIS, delivering equality of opportunity in schools, the new action plan for educational inclusion, is the putting in place of a s...
Written Answers - School Transport.
Was asked: if her Department will refund pupils who have been wrongly charged for transport due to a misinterpretation by her Department of the persons who should be covered by the catchment area boundary.
For the purpose of the post-primary education scheme, the country has been divided into catchment areas, each of which has its own post-primary centre. Pupils who live 4.8 kilometres or more from the ...
Written Answers - Disruptive Students.
Was asked: when she expects to receive the final report of the task force on student behaviour; if she will commence the implementation of its recommendations in 2006 and progress same; and if she will make a st...
Was asked: if the task force on student behaviour will report to her before the end of 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: when the task force on student behaviour will report to her; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 46 and 84 together. The Deputies will be aware that, at the start of this year, I established a task force on student behaviour in second level schools. I have bee...
Written Answers - Education Welfare Service.
Was asked: the funding that will be allocated to the National Educational Welfare Board for 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The Education (Welfare) Act 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework pr...
Written Answers - Multi-Denominational Schools.
Was asked: the number of multi-denominational schools here; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The number of multi-denominational schools established in this country to date is 39. A list of multi- and other denominational schools, together with addresses and contact numbers, is available on my...
Written Answers - Psychological Service.
Was asked: the increase in funding to the National Educational Psychological Service which will be allocated for 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, has been allocated funding of €15.325 million in the 2006 financial provision for my Department in the recently published Abridged Estimates Volum...
Written Answers - School Curriculum.
Was asked: her views on whether an oral component for Irish should be introduced at the junior certificate examination; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Provision exists for an optional oral examination in Irish at junior certificate level. Where schools opt to provide such an examination, the State examinations commission issues assessment guidelines...
Written Answers - Adult Education.
Was asked: the number of students enrolled in further education courses nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The data requested by the Deputy are set out in the following tabular statement. Further Education. Number of Learners. This Government is strongly committed to improving participation and achievement...
Written Answers - Education Welfare Service.
Was asked: her views on the alarming statistics published by the Education Welfare Board indicating that approximately 84,000 children up to the age of 16 miss at least 20 days of schooling per year; if the boar...
The Education (Welfare) Act 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework pr...
Written Answers - State Examinations.
Was asked: when she will introduce standardised testing in primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Standardised testing on a systematic basis has great potential to enhance the quality of teaching and learning for our students at classroom level and to provide valuable information for parents about...
Written Answers - School Accommodation.
Was asked: if priority will be accorded to the provision of sports hall facilities to those schools which have been in excess of ten years on the waiting list; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Since 2003 my Department has published details of capital projects progressing through the system which have been prioritised in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large scale pro...
Written Answers - Educational Disadvantage.
Was asked: if she has completed the process of assessing which schools will qualify for support under the DEIS programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
A key element of DEIS, delivering equality of opportunity in schools, the new action plan for educational inclusion, is the putting in place of a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvan...
Written Answers - Tionscnamh Tógáil Scoile.
Was asked: an bhfuil iarratas sa Roinn i gcomhair deisiú agus méadú a dhéanamh ar scoil (sonraí tugtha), an bhfuil an cás á mheas faoi láthair, cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh i dtaobh dul ar aghaidh leis an obair ...
Ta an scoil a luaigh an Teachta ag céim luath den phleanáil ailtireachta. Níos túisce i mbliana d’fhógair mé mionsonraí de 124 scoil a bhrostófaí tríd an gcéim phleanála ailtreachca agus ina measc siú...
Written Answers - Weight of Schoolbags.
Was asked: if she will introduce further measures to reduce the weight of schoolbags from both primary and post-primary students; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The report of a working group to examine potential problems caused by the weight of schoolbags, which was presented in July 1998, acknowledged that many of the solutions belong at local school level. ...
Written Answers - Drugs in Schools.
Was asked: if, in the context of the national drugs strategy, she supports drug testing of pupils in schools here; her views on whether such testing may reduce the incidence of drug misuse among young persons; a...
Under Action 43 of the national drugs strategy, guidelines for developing a substance abuse policy were drawn up by my Department in consultation with the Department of Health and Children and the for...
Written Answers - Special Educational Needs.
Was asked: when she expects to meet the full requirement in respect of special needs teachers and assistants in all schools throughout the country with particular reference to speech and language therapy require...
My Department’s policy is to ensure the maximum possible integration of children with special educational needs, SEN, into ordinary mainstream schools. Where mainstream provision is not appropriate ch...
Written Answers - Adult Education.
Was asked: her views on the fact that less than 8% of those between the ages of 25 and 64 here are participating in education or training, compared with over 20% in the United Kingdom and over 35% in Sweden; and...
Was asked: the reason for the ongoing comparatively low level of adult participation in life-long learning, which amounted to a mere 7.2% of those between the ages of 25 and 64 in 2004 compared with a correspond...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 98 together. The figures mentioned in the questions appear in the report of a European Union labour force survey. Of the 27 countries surveyed, the other countr...
Written Answers - Child Sexual Abuse.
Was asked: when the education board which has been established under statute to provide educational opportunities for survivors of child abuse will commence its operations; the way in which survivors will be inf...
The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (Amendment) Act 2005 provides for the establishment of an education finance board to administer a statutory education grants scheme for former residents of i...
Written Answers - School Enrolments.
Was asked: in the context of her exhortation to schools not to cherry pick students, the action she intends to take to ensure that all post-primary schools have equitable enrolment policies and practises; and i...
I am aware that some second level schools do not appear to be doing as much as they could to ensure that students with special needs are as welcome in those schools as students without special needs. ...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.
Was asked: the amount of the school building programme funding allocation that has been spent to date in 2005; the amount that remains unspent; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Virtually all of the allocated funding for the school building programme has been expended. The remaining balance will be expended before the end of the year.
Written Answers - School Curriculum.
Was asked: the recommendations of the task force on physical sciences which have been implemented and which remain to be implemented; the timeframe for full implementation; and if she will make a statement on th...
There were some 39 recommendations in the report of the task force on the physical sciences, with costed proposals totalling an additional €244 million, of which €66.3 million would be a recurring ann...
Written Answers - Teaching Qualifications.
Was asked: if the standard entry requirements regarding Irish will brought into line with other subjects as they apply to teacher training colleges; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
My Department specifies the minimum academic requirements for entry to primary teacher training courses provided in the colleges of education. As part of these requirements all candidates, including s...
Written Answers - School Inspection Reports.
Was asked: when further information on the operation of second level schools will be released; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
During the summer I announced that my Department would publish school inspection reports arising from the general programme of school inspections. Under this programme a selected number of schools is ...
Written Answers - School Staffing.
Was asked: the additional teaching posts allocated to the further education sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Following my decision to provide for 100 extra post-leaving certificate, PLC, posts, my Department approved a total of 1,600 extra places in PLC courses for the 2005-06 school year. In this regard it ...
Written Answers - School Accommodation.
Was asked: the number of primary schools with multi-purpose rooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Detailed information in the format requested by the Deputy is not available but, should the Deputy have a question in respect of a particular school, I would be happy to provide a response. In general...
Written Answers - Physical Education Facilities.
Was asked: the number of schools in Kildare North that have physical education facilities that are in use for this purpose; her plans to provide such facilities to schools in Kildare North that are operating wit...
The information is not readily available in the format requested by the Deputy. However, regarding physical education, PE, facilities in schools generally, the PE curriculum has been designed on the b...
Written Answers - Psychological Service.
Was asked: the number of National Educational Psychological Service psychologists employed by the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The number of National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, psychologists has increased almost threefold from 43 on establishment to 121 at present. The Public Appointments Service has recently es...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.
Was asked: if the provision of vending machines will be part of the next PPP contract for school building and management; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
In the case of the existing five PPP schools, while the operator is responsible for the vending machines, the location, content and availability of vending machines were agreed through discussion betw...
Written Answers - Physical Education Facilities.
Was asked: the grants available to primary schools to purchase physical education equipment; the moneys allocated under such grant scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
My Department fully recognises the key role of physical exercise, PE, within the school environment and continues to respond to the need to improve PE facilities for all pupils attending primary and p...
Written Answers - Multi-Denominational Schools.
Was asked: if the crisis in funding of Educate Together will be addressed, which if not addressed will make it impossible for it to carry out the work it has been doing on behalf of the State as the patron body ...
Was asked: the funding allocated by her Department to the Educate Together organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 88 together. In making their case for funding to me Educate Together also raised the issue for support for newly establishing schools. To support such schools I...
Written Answers - Third Level Education.
Was asked: the number of PhD level students graduating from universities here and third level institutes on an annual basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The number of PhD graduations from the university sector in 2000-03, the latest year for which the figures are available, is as follows: 571 in 2000, 572 in 2001, 602 in 2002 and 611 in 2003. The Depu...
Written Answers - Irish Language.
Was asked: if her Department is planning to place more emphasis on the speaking of Irish in the curriculum and examination system; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: her views on whether proposals for the significant amendment of the Irish curriculum at both junior and leaving certificate level should be brought forward; and if she will make a statement on the mat...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 92 together. A number of activities are currently under way that will inform any review of Irish in the curriculum and examination system. The inspectorate of m...
Written Answers - Adult Education.
Was asked: her views on whether further education should be established as an educational sector in its own right; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
This Government is strongly committed to improving participation and achievement at every level of education. We have put the resources and supports in place to ensure that there is a wide range of co...
Written Answers - School Curriculum.
Was asked: if her Department is planning to place more emphasis on the speaking of foreign languages in the curriculum and examination system; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
One of the general aims of modern foreign language syllabi at both junior and leaving certificate levels is to enable students to participate fruitfully in a range of everyday oral transactions in the...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.
Was asked: the position regarding plans for the early development of a new school site at Adamstown.
My Department has reserved three sites for the future provision of educational facilities in the Adamstown strategic development zone. It is planned that at least one of these sites will cater for a m...
Was asked: if her Department has detected obstacles that will prevent schools that were to have commenced construction under the school building programme in 2005 from going ahead; if so, the schools which are a...
Major building projects cannot easily be delivered in a short period of time. A complex range of factors governs the life cycle of any potential building project from design through compliance with th...
Written Answers - Third Level Education.
Was asked: the resources in place to ensure that bogus so-called universities cannot continue to use this title in contravention of the Universities Act 1997; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
In November 2004, my Department conducted a major review of such organisations, with a view to securing their compliance with section 52 of the Universities Act 1997. Arising from this review, my Depa...
Written Answers - Residential Institutions Redress Scheme.
Was asked: if the transfer of properties and money from the religious congregations has been completed in the context of the indemnity agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Under the terms of the indemnity agreement reached with the religious congregations on 5 June 2002, the congregations agreed to make a contribution of €128 million towards the redress scheme. This was...
Written Answers - Pension Provisions.
Was asked: her response to the recent report of the Pensions Ombudsman, which included particular criticism of employers in the educational sector; the action she intends to take arising from the report; and if ...
The Pensions Ombudsman can investigate complaints referred to him by an actual or potential beneficiary of an occupational pension scheme or a personal retirement savings account, PRSA. These complain...
Written Answers - School Curriculum.
Was asked: if she will consult with second level senior cycle students to ascertain their views in the context of the proposals by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment on the reform of the leaving ...
The NCCA’s proposals for the future development of senior cycle education in Ireland were drawn up following a widespread consultative process, in which students’ opinions were heard in number of ways...
Written Answers - Education Welfare Service.
Was asked: the number of education welfare officers employed by the National Educational Welfare Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework p...
Written Answers - Psychological Service.
Was asked: the number of primary and secondary schools covered by the National Educational Psychological Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The number of National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, psychologists has increased almost three-fold, from 43 on establishment to 121 at present. The Public Appointments Service has recently ...
Written Answers - Vending Machines in Schools.
Was asked: if her Department has guidelines on the provision of food vending machines on school premises; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Schools are privately managed institutions which, although funded by the State, enjoy a large degree of autonomy. It is, therefore, primarily a matter for each school to devise guidelines on the types...
Written Answers - Education Welfare Service.
Was asked: the average caseload of each education welfare officer in the National Educational Welfare Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The general functions of the board are to en...
Was asked: the reason the National Educational Welfare Board has not received the funding it requires to fully carry out its statutory duties.
The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework p...
Written Answers - State Examinations.
Was asked: the number of male leaving certificate students who achieved an honours grade in the higher level Irish examination in leaving certificate 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
A total of 55,222 candidates participated in the established leaving certificate examination in 2004. Of this number, some 14,878 candidates sat the leaving certificate Gaeilge examination at higher l...
Written Answers - Special Educational Needs.
Was asked: her views on the disparity in terms of students with learning and other disabilities attending schools in north and south west Clondalkin compared with those in the Clondalkin village and Lucan areas.
The enrolment of pupils, including pupils with special educational needs, is a matter in the first instance for schools, parents and guardians. The Education Act 1998 requires all schools to have in p...
Was asked: if assistance will be given to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12.
I advise the Deputy that arrangements are being made for officials of the Department of Education and Science to contact the parent in question. A decision on whether home tuition would be an appropri...
Written Answers - Vocational Education Committees.
Was asked: further to Question No. 193 of 12 May 2005 if the inquiry established by her for the County Clare Vocational Educational Committee has been concluded; if the copy of the inquiry will be made public; a...
The officer who conducted the inquiry in question has furnished the Department of Education and Science with his report. I will give careful consideration to the report and its findings. I will then p...
Written Answers - Special Educational Needs.
Was asked: if the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 will be investigated.
The home tuition scheme is primarily intended to provide compensatory instruction for pupils who have a medical ailment that is likely to cause major disruption to their attendance at school. In this ...
Written Answers - School Accommodation.
Was asked: the position regarding the request for a new school (details supplied) in Dublin; and if support will be given to the parents and pupils.
My Department is fully aware of the need to provide permanent accommodation for the school to which he refers. Its preferred option in this regard is the use of an existing building. To achieve this, ...
Written Answers - Institutes of Technology.
Was asked: her plans to fund the development plans of the Institute of Technology, Tallaght; the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The allocation of capital funding amounting to €900 million to cover the period 2006-2010 for the third level sector has enabled me to deal with a number of key priority projects in the sector that we...
Written Answers - School Staffing.
Was asked: if her Department intends to make the necessary moneys available to upgrade the remaining one-teacher schools; if an additional adult to these schools in the interests of health and safety will be pro...
The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined b...
Was asked: if the appointment of a second teacher will be approved to 13 one-teacher schools with less than 12 pupils in the interest of health and safety; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined b...
Written Answers - Departmental Correspondence.
Was asked: if a response will be furnished to correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I confirm that I have received the correspondence referred to by the Deputy and a formal reply will issue very shortly. The Deputy may wish to note that the staffing of a primary school is determined ...
Written Answers - School Curriculum.
Was asked: her plans to introduce physical education as an examination subject at leaving certificate level; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Under the rules and programme for secondary schools, second level schools should offer a physical education programme based on an approved syllabus with teaching hours registered on the school timetab...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.
Was asked: if an application will be approved for funding for a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The school planning section of my Department is in receipt of an application for major capital funding from the management authority of the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been ...
Written Answers - Overseas Students.
Was asked: further to Parliamentary Question No. 187 of 3 February 2005, the progress to date by the working group; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The matter that the Deputy refers to concerns the report on the internationalisation of Irish education services which was published in November 2004. My Department has recently completed a consultati...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.
Was asked: if an application will be approved with her primary building unit for a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for capital funding. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria which was revised last yea...
Was asked: if funding will be approved for an application submitted to her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The school referred to by the Deputy has made applications for funding under the additional accommodation scheme and summer works scheme 2006. All applications under these schemes are currently being ...
Was asked: further to Parliamentary Question No. 1171 of 28 September 2005, if the assessment has been completed by the school planning section of her Department; the progress on obtaining a site for the school...
The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria which was revised last year following consultation with the education partners. The proposed project, includi...
Was asked: further to Parliamentary Question No. 1177 of 28 September 2005, if she will review the ongoing delay in progressing a project in County Leitrim; if the project will be expedited; if she will meet wi...
I wish to advise the Deputy that, as explained in the answer to Parliamentary Question No. 1177 of 28 September 2005, progress on the next stages of the building project must await resolution of legal...
Was asked: if she has received the stage two submission in connection with the required phase two extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will sanction further progress on this pro...
Was asked: the position regarding the provision of extra classrooms at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the position regarding the application for extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; when phase two will progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 324, 344 and 381 together. The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. A stage two submission has not...
Was asked: the progress to date in acquiring a site for a new national school for Kill, County Kildare; if a site has been identified in conjunction with officials from Kildare County Council; if negotiations ar...
Was asked: the progress made in the past six months on the identification of a site and provision of a new primary school at Kill, County Kildare; the precise stage of the negotiations; if these issues will be c...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 349 together. The property management section of the OPW has been requested to source a site for a new national school for Kill, County Kildare. The Commission...
Written Answers - Psychological Service.
Was asked: the number of educational psychologists working in Kildare national schools; and the number of schools in the county that have no direct service.
All schools in County Kildare have access to psychological assessments either directly through the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, or through the scheme for commissioning psychologic...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.
Was asked: if she has approved the stage three submission for the required extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare and the remaining stages to be completed in relation to this project.
Was asked: the position on the provision of an extension at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 327 and 342 together. The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. Earlier this year I announced detai...
Written Answers - Site Acquisitions.
Was asked: if the negotiations on the acquisition of a new site for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare have been successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the position regarding site acquisition to meet requirements of alternative and new school facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 328 and 365 together. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a suitable site has been identified for the school in question. The property management section of the OP...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.
Was asked: if she has received the tender report on a new school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if a tender has been awarded; the cost approved; and the construction timetable.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that on 6 May 2005 my Department gave devolved authority for the project in question to proceed to tender and construction. Tenders for this project were returned at ...
Was asked: the position on the progressing of the required extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare.
Was asked: the position regarding the provision of additional accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare.
Was asked: the position regarding the provision of a permanent school building for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare.
Was asked: the position regarding extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if the project will be advanced in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the position regarding extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: when she will be in a position to provide extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if she will provide new temporary prefabricated buildings in the current year to r...
Was asked: the position regarding extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: her proposals for the future of a girls’ primary school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if extra improvements or facilities are likely in the current year; and if she will make a statement on th...
Was asked: if she is satisfied regarding the adequacy of the accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare with a view to the elimination of the use of temporary accommodation in the future; and...
Was asked: the position regarding the provision of extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if she is satisfied regarding the adequacy of the accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare, having regard to the need for adequate forward planning to ensure necessary steps are ...
Was asked: the progress made on the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the position regarding extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if the project will be advanced in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: her plans to meet the accommodation requirements as set out by the school authorities at Timahoe, Naas, County Kildare; when the project will proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the position regarding proposals to improve accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if extra facilities will be offered to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare with a view to the elimination of the use of temporary accommodation in the future; and if she will make a statemen...
Was asked: if she is satisfied regarding the adequacy of the accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare, having particular regard to demographic trends and the need for adequate forward plann...
Was asked: the position regarding the application for extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; when same will be progressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if permanent classroom facilities will be put in place for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare which has received temporary accommodation this year; and if she will make a statement on the m...
Was asked: the position regarding the completion of roof repairs work to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 330 to 332, inclusive, 340, 341, 343, 345, 352, 354, 356, 363, 379, 388 to 392, inclusive, and 398 to 400, inclusive, together. The school planning section of my Depar...
Was asked: the position regarding the provision of a permanent building for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare.
Was asked: if a decision regarding permanent school recognition has been made for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 333 and 382 together. The school to which the Deputy refers was granted permanent recognition, with effect from 1 September 2004. A letter to this effect issued to the...
Written Answers - Schools Refurbishment.
Was asked: if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 526 of 2 November 2005, there has been further progress with the application for approval under the summer works scheme 2006; and if she will make a statement...
I can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which he refers has submitted an application for a new site entrance under the summer works scheme for 2006 All applications received under the scheme ar...
Was asked: if funding will be made available for the provision of a covered walkway between the old Confey College building and the new school in Leixlip, County Kildare.
Was asked: if the summer works scheme project will be sanctioned for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 335 and 336 together. I can confirm to the Deputy that the schools to which he refers have submitted an application for funding under the summer works scheme for 2006....
Written Answers - School Accommodation.
Was asked:
in view of the inadequacies in the capacity of the temporary school for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin and in view of the projected enrolment figures for September 2006, the ...
The school planning section of my Department is aware of the accommodation difficulties of the school to which the Deputy refers. These difficulties arose in the context of planning permission for add...
Written Answers - School Staffing.
Was asked: if a person, who is employed as a full-time national teacher and who also teaches part-time with a vocational educational committee, is entitled to the basic rate of pay for additional hours worked; t...
As the Deputy indicates that the person referred to is a full-time national teacher I assume the teacher is only employed part-time by a VEC to provide self-financing adult education classes at night....
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.
Was asked: the progress on the provision of extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
An extension to the school referred to by the Deputy was completed in 2003.
Was asked: the progress on the provision of extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that this extension project started on site recently.
Written Answers - School Resources.
Was asked: the extent to which she expects to be in a position to meet the requirements in terms of accommodation, staff, remedial, resource or special needs teachers and classroom assistants in each of the scho...
Was asked: the extent to which she expects to be in a position to meet the requirements in terms of accommodation, staff, remedial, resource or special needs teachers and classroom assistants in each of the scho...
Was asked: the extent to which she expects to be in a position to meet the requirements in terms of accommodation, staff, remedial, resource or special needs teachers and classroom assistants in each of the scho...
Was asked: when she expects to meet the full complement of requirements for special needs teachers at primary and post-primary level; if she has set specific targets in this regard; and if she will make a statem...
Was asked: when she expects to have in place the full necessary complement of special needs teachers and special needs assistants in all schools throughout the country with particular reference to schools with a...
Was asked: her plans to meet the full requirement for remedial, resource, speech and language, psychological assessment and back up or other special needs in all schools throughout the country with particular re...
Was asked: her plans to extend the scale and quality of support services in schools meeting special needs requirements in mainstream education; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: when she expects to be in a position to bring the level of psychological services, remedial, resource or other special needs teaching numbers into line with current and projected requirements; and if ...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 347, 350, 359, 370 to 372, inclusive, 374 and 377 together. Since 1997, the Government has dramatically increased the number of teachers in our schools. At primary lev...
Written Answers - School Staffing.
Was asked: if extra teaching staff will be allocated to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare based on class size and pupil numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined b...
Written Answers - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.
Was asked: the pupil-teacher ratio class size at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; her plans to increase same; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The mainstream staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy, for the 2005-06 school year is a principal and 21 mainstream class teaching posts. This is based on an enrolment of 588 pupils at 30 Se...
Written Answers - School Staffing.
Was asked: if extra teaching staff can or will be allocated to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare based on the class size and number of attending pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter...
The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on the 30 September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determin...
Written Answers - Schools Refurbishment.
Was asked: when works will commence at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare following grant allocated to County Kildare Vocational Educational Committee by her Department; and if she will make a stateme...
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that works have commenced at the school in question.
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.
Was asked: the position with regard to completion of school works at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; if same is still on schedule to be completed by mid-2006; and if she will make a statement on th...
The building project to which the Deputy refers is still on schedule and due to be completed in mid-2006.
Was asked: the degree to which school places and facilities at primary and second level exist in Clane, County Kildare to meet requirements; the degree to which current or proposed facilities exist to fulfil thi...
Applications for major capital funding have been received from the schools to which the Deputy refers. These applications have been assessed in accordance with the published criteria for large scale b...
Was asked: the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 360 and 362 together. My Department has not received an application for capital funding from the management authority of the school to which he refers.
Was asked: if extra facilities will be offered to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. Earlier this year I announced details of 124 schools to progress through the architectural...
Written Answers - School Accommodation.
Was asked: if she has satisfied herself regarding the adequacy of the accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare having particular regard to demographic trends and the need for adequate forwa...
As I pointed out to the Deputy in response to Question No. 718 of 8 November 2005, my Department has no record of the school in question. If the Deputy submits the roll number of the school to which h...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.
Was asked: the position with regard to the completion of a school extension at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a new eight classroom building for the school in question has just been completed.
Was asked: the position with regard to the completion of a school extension at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction of an extension at the school in question will be completed shortly.
Was asked: when a decision will be made to progress an application for major capital funding which has been assessed by her Department regarding a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; when same is likely...
The school planning section of my Department has received an application for major capital funding from the management authority of the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been asse...
Was asked: the position in relation to an application for the provision of a new school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The new eight classroom building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. Earlier this year I announced details of 124 schools to progress throu...
Written Answers - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.
Was asked: when she expects to be in a position to bring the pupil-teacher ratio in all schools into line with the commitment entered into previously; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the steps she proposes to take to bring pupil-teacher ratios here into line with best practice throughout Europe; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the way in which she proposes to tackle the need to reduce pupil-teacher ratios in the top ten primary schools which currently have the highest pupil-teacher ratios; and if she will make a statement o...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 373, 376 and 378 together. Major improvements in school staffing have been made in recent years with the hiring of more than 5,000 additional primary teachers. This re...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.
Was asked: when she expects to have the quality and extent of school buildings up to the required standard in terms of extra space and facilities at both primary and second level; and if she will make a statemen...
This Government has invested in the largest school building programme in the history of the State. Between 1998 and the end of 2004, almost €2 billion was invested in school buildings and in the regio...
Was asked: if the extension, ancillary accommodation and autistic unit are on target for completion at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction is well under way on the extension at the school in question. The project is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2006.
Was asked: when the classroom extension at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare will be complete; if same is on time; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction of the extension at the school in question has been completed.
Was asked: the position with regard to the completion of an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the position regarding the extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 384 and 387 together. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the extension at the school in question has been recently completed.
Was asked: if a classroom extension at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare is on target; when same will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the extension to the school in question was completed in May 2005.
Was asked: the position in regard to the provision of extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that on 6 May 2005 my Department gave devolved authority for the project in question to proceed to tender and construction. Tenders for this project were returned at ...
Was asked: the position with regard to the relocation of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare to expand its capacity to 1,000 pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The management authority of the school in question, County Kildare Vocational Education Committee, is currently progressing plans to relocate the school and expand its capacity to 1,000 pupils. A form...
Was asked: the position regarding the completion of an extension at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The extension at the school to which the Deputy refers was completed in May 2005.
Was asked: the position with regard to the provision of extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; when the tender process will be completed; the timeframe for the completion of the project; a...
The refurbishment and extension project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently on site. Work commenced in October 2005 and is due to be completed in October 2006.
Was asked: the position regarding extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The school planning section of my Department has received an application for major capital funding from the management authority of the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been asse...
Was asked: the position with regard to the provision of extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; when the project will advance to construction stage; and if she will make a sta...
My Department is currently awaiting receipt of the tender report from County Kildare VEC for the proposed extension project at the school in question.
Was asked: if she has satisfied herself regarding the adequacy of the accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare having particular regard to demographic trends and the need for adequate forwa...
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction work is well under way on an extension to the school in question. The extension is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2006.
Was asked: the position in relation to an extension project at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that on 16 March 2005 the school in question was given devolved authority to progress this project to tender and construction. Tenders for the project were returned i...
Was asked: the position in relation to an extension project at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. Officials from my Department visited the school in question in June of this year to carry ...
Written Answers - Special Educational Needs.
Was asked: the reason home tuition has been dropped from persons (details supplied) in County Offaly without consultation; if and when home tuition will be reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the mat...
Was asked: the reason home tuition has been dropped from persons (details supplied) in County Laois without consultation; if and when home tuition will be reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matt...
Was asked: the reason home tuition has been dropped from a person (details supplied) in County Offaly without consultation; if and when home tuition will be reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the ma...
Was asked: the reason home tuition has been dropped from a person (details supplied) in County Offaly without consultation; if and when home tuition will be reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the ma...
Was asked: the reason home tuition has been dropped from a person (details supplied) in County Offaly without consultation; if and when home tuition will be reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the ma...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 404, 405 and 407 to 409, inclusive, together. As the Deputy is aware, home tuition is primarily intended to provide compensatory instruction for pupils with a medical ...
Written Answers - Schools Provision.
Was asked: if a review of the secondary school sector in New Ross has been carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if a review of the secondary school sector in New Ross has been carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if a review of the primary school sector in New Ross has been carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 406, 412 and 413 together. As the Deputy is aware from recent answers to parliamentary questions in this matter, the school planning section of my Department proposes ...
Was asked: if a review of the secondary school sector in Gorey, County Wexford has been carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if a review of the primary school sector in Gorey, County Wexford has been carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 410 and 414 together. The school planning section of my Department has identified Gorey as an area of rapid development and, consequently, it decided to undertake a re...
Was asked: if a review of the secondary school sector in Wexford has been carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if a review of the primary school sector in Wexford has been carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 416 together. I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to Wexford town. The school planning section of my Department has no plans at present to carry out a r...
Was asked: if a review of the secondary school sector in Enniscorthy, County Wexford has been carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if a review of the primary school sector in Enniscorthy, County Wexford has been carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 415 and 418 together. Officials in the school planning section of the Department are currently carrying out a review of primary and post-primary school provision in th...
Written Answers - School Curriculum.
Was asked: if she will work closely with the Health Service Executive in granting first aid classes to all senior students in primary schools and to all students in second level in order to create a safer and he...
The Department has no plans to provide classes in first aid for students in primary or post-primary schools. Personal safety is addressed in a variety of ways in the primary and post-primary curricula...
Written Answers - Special Educational Needs.
Was asked: if she has formally requested that support therapies be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare under section 40 of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004;...
The Deputy refers to litigation taken against the State in which the Department is a named party. While I cannot comment on any individual case, I can confirm that the Department has written to the He...
Written Answers - School Staffing.
Was asked: her proposals to issue the necessary moneys in order that a second adult may be appointed to the 13 one-teacher schools where fewer than 12 pupils are currently enrolled (details supplied).
The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined b...
Written Answers - School Accommodation.
Was asked: if an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Cork will be sanctioned.
The school referred to by the Deputy has made an application for capital funding towards the provision of additional accommodation. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published p...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.
Was asked: the position regarding the provision of a Gaelscoil in Clonakilty, County Cork.
A site for the proposed new Gaelscoil has been identified and contract documents for the sale of the site are currently with the Chief State Solicitor’s office. When the site acquisition has been fina...
Written Answers - School Accommodation.
Was asked: if her attention has been drawn to the totally unsatisfactory accommodation for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11 and the assistance which will be provided to secure better facilities for the s...
The school to which the Deputy refers opened with provisional recognition from the Department in September 2005. One of the criteria for granting provisional recognition is that, in accordance with se...
Written Answers - School Staffing.
Was asked: the reason the 100 new teaching posts provided for the further education colleges are concessionary posts; if these posts will be available in 2006-07; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the reason only 74.29 posts have been taken up by schools out of the 96.25 made available in colleges of further education (details supplied); if this has anything to do with new posts being concessio...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 424 and 427 together. Teacher allocations for second level schools and PLC colleges are approved by the Department on an annual basis in accordance with generally appl...
Written Answers - School Services Staff.
Was asked: her plans to provide laboratory assistants or technicians to look after laboratories, order and prepare materials, store and maintain equipment, and perform other similar tasks to assist teachers of s...
The availability of laboratory technicians has not been a universal feature of support for science teaching in second level schools and in some countries that provide this type of resource, it is conf...
Written Answers - Educational Disadvantage.
Was asked: the funding streams available to tackle educational disadvantage and the number of primary schools availing of such funding in each stream.
Approximately €600 million has been allocated by the Department in 2005 for programmes specifically designed to tackle educational disadvantage in accordance with the strategies outlined in the Nation...
Written Answers - Schools Refurbishment.
Was asked: if a national school extended with the benefit of a devolved grant from her Department would be eligible for another such grant to refurbish the extended building; and if she will make a statement on ...
My Department has introduced a number of initiatives and schemes to empower school authorities in addressing capital works at their schools. Each initiative and scheme has specific terms and these are...
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