Results 1,981-2,000 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (24 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department has been in recent communication with the VEC in relation to the negotiations for the site in question. The conclusion of same can only be considered in the context of the capital budget available to my Department for school buildings generally. I am not in a position to say at this stage when the acquisition will be concluded.

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (24 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An application for funding for roof repairs in respect of the school referred to by the Deputy was received in my Department. Emergency works grants are made available to schools most in need of resources as a result of unforeseen emergencies of a capital nature that may arise during the school year. Following assessment of the application from this school and in light of the large number...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (24 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has a strong record in developing low energy educational buildings. For the past nine years my Department has been using a process called the DART Approach to develop sustainable and energy efficiency in educational buildings. This acronym focuses on four key areas, namely; Design, Awareness, Research, and Technology. Rather than develop a unique focus on energy design my...

Written Answers — Schools Amalgamation: Schools Amalgamation (24 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An assessment of projected enrolment trends, demographic trends and housing developments to determine the long term projected staffing for the project to which the Deputy refers is on-going. When this matter has been finalised progress on the building project itself will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme. However, in...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (25 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The development of a building project for the school in question is at an early stage. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (25 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An application for an extension has been received from the school referred to by the Deputy and an assessment of the long term needs of the school has been concluded. The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (25 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An application for a new school building on a new site has been received from the school referred to by the Deputy. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (25 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An application for a new school building for the school referred to by the Deputy is at a very early stage of development. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme....

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (25 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An application for a new school building has been received from the school referred to by the Deputy. The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However,...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (25 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm that an application for a new school building has been received from the school referred to by the Deputy. The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (25 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An application for an extension was received from the school referred to by the Deputy. The progression of this project as with all large scale building projects, from initial design stage through to construction phase, will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (25 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I assume the Deputy is referring to the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004. A number of sections of the EPSEN Act, 2004 have been commenced, principally those establishing the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and those promoting an inclusive approach to the education of children with special needs. Specifically, the following sections have...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (25 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy may be aware, the National Council for Special Education is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special needs. Applications for SNAs may be considered by the NCSE where a pupil has a significant medical need for such...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (25 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 219, 223, 224 and 226 together. My Department will be providing a new greenfield site building for the school to which the Deputies refer in due course. Tenders have been received for the project and it is now awaiting approval to proceed to construction. I am not in a position to give the go ahead for any more projects to proceed to construction at this...

Written Answers — Languages Programme: Languages Programme (25 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Two copies of the "Primary School Assessment Kit", prepared by Integrate Ireland Language and Training (IILT) have been circulated by my Department to all primary schools in recent weeks. This will enable teachers to carry out initial and on-going assessments of the language proficiency of newcomer children. The Assessment Kit has also been placed on the Department's website. It is proposed...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (25 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Department has received an application for funding for the restoration of school grounds from the school authorities referred to by the Deputy. This application is under consideration at present and it is expected that a decision on this application will be made and conveyed to the school authorities shortly.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (25 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The decision on eligibility for maintenance grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except, in exceptional cases, where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is desired. When assessing the means of students other than independent mature students, the means...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (25 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: A suitable site has been acquired for a proposed new school building for the school in question. The long term projected staffing, on which the accommodation needs will be based, has been determined. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my...

Written Answers — Third Level Institutions: Third Level Institutions (25 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The estate in Co. Kildare referred to by the Deputy is in the ownership of a third level institution. The Institution is an autonomous body, with the day to day management of the Institution's affairs being a matter for its Governing Body. I have been informed by the Higher Education Authority that the Governing Body is currently engaged in an analysis of its requirements in relation to its...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (25 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: It has not been possible to fully collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will respond directly to him as soon as the information has been collated by my Department.