Results 2,581-2,600 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is currently examining its policy in relation to the dissemination of data on class size in respect of individual classes in individual schools with a view to determining the best approach to the information needs of users and the resources required to generate tables for special requests. Data are already published on a regular basis in relation to class size for each County in...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Schools have flexibility in the way in which they assign pupils and teachers to classes and the Department does not allocate teachers to specific classes or age groups. The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30th September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The proposed building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is at an early stage of architectural planning. The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, will be considered in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in...

Written Answers — Psychological Service: Psychological Service (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can inform the Deputy in this regard that currently 19 Psychologists have been appointed to and taken up duties with NEPS, 2 have deferred such appointment in the short-term and 3 others are at an advanced stage in finalising their arrangements with my Department's Personnel Section. Additionally 8 psychologists who have accepted an offer of an appointment are currently undergoing the...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy is aware, a number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004 have been commenced. Following discussions with the Education partners, my Department developed proposals to facilitate implementation of the remaining sections, including the provisions in respect of assessment and individual education plans (IEPs). These proposals are...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 removed the requirement to retire on age grounds but only in the case of persons coming within the definition of New Entrant as set out in the Act. In general terms a New Entrant under the Act is a person who commences employment in the public service on or after 1 April 2004 or a person who returns to employment in the...

Written Answers — Infectious Diseases: Infectious Diseases (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Issues in relation to public health are primarily a matter for the Health Service Executive. The HSE has forwarded some advice on these matters to the Department and this will be issued to schools in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: A reply has issued to the candidate referred to by the Deputy in respect of his appeal from the Higher Education- Equity Of Access Unit of my Department.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Under the student support schemes eligible undergraduate students may avail of grant aid for a period of in excess of four years in particular circumstances. At post graduate level grant aid is limited to four years. Any extension to the scope of the maintenance grants scheme, can be considered only in the light of available resources and in the context of competing demands within the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1812 to 1820, inclusive and 1825 together. I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of applications for large scale capital funding from the schools to which he refers. The projects have been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. The progression of all large scale building...

Written Answers — : (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An extension project for the school in question is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The further progression of the project will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the...

Written Answers — : (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at early architectural planning. A stage 2(a) submission, Developed Sketch Design, has recently been received in my Department. Officials are currently examining the Stage submission. The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to tender and construction, including this project, will be considered...

Written Answers — : (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can now inform the deputy that planning permission has been granted for the building project at Kill, Co. Kildare. Tendering for contractors is next stage in the process following receipt of the stage 2b submission, currently awaited by the Department. The progression of this and all large scale capital building projects in the Department will be considered in the context of the...

Written Answers — Teachers' Remuneration: Teachers' Remuneration (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The terms of award of incremental credit to teachers are determined by the Conciliation Council for Teachers, which is the forum for the discussion by representatives of the management and staff sides of claims, terms and conditions of employment. Arrangements for the award of incremental credit for primary teachers are outlined in Circular 10/01, and any changes in arrangements would have...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department spent a total of €517,043.86 on consultants in 2007. The most recent figure to end May 2008 indicates that a total of €184,567.31 was spent on consultants.

Written Answers — School Services Staff: School Services Staff (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: A Value for Money Review of the ICT Support Service, which addressed the work of the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE), the ICT Advisory Service and specific posts assigned to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, was undertaken by my Department and will shortly be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. While concluding that the Service is generally effective...

Written Answers — Disruptive Students: Disruptive Students (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The National Behaviour Support Service (NBSS) provides behaviour improvement support and advice to 62 schools nationally and special behaviour support classrooms/programmes have been established in 36 of these schools. Behaviour support classrooms/programmes provide an individualised intensive intervention for students who are unable to abide by a school's code of behaviour. This...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to confirm that my Department has received the correspondence referred to by the Deputy. The issues referred to in the correspondence will be considered in the context of Government policy on supports for the Irish language and having regard also for the overall economic and budgetary position and the competing priorities for available resources.

Written Answers — Teaching Qualifications: Teaching Qualifications (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Teaching Council is the designated statutory body for the recognition of qualifications for teaching. A post-primary teacher in this State must hold a suitable degree and a suitable teacher-education qualification. A suitable degree is a degree or equivalent award from a State recognised university or similar third level college which is adequate to enable the holder to teach to the...