Results 3,421-3,440 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Education Committees: Education Committees (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 359, 386 and 387 together. The 2009 budget required difficult choices to be made across all areas of public expenditure. Decisions were made in order to control expenditure and ensure sustainability in the long term. In this respect, education, while protected to a much greater extent than most other areas of public expenditure, could not be entirely spared....

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The statutory framework for the student maintenance grants scheme, as set out in the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992, provides for means-tested higher education grants to assist students to attend full-time third-level education. Clause 1, 1.1 of the Higher Education Grants Scheme defines an approved course as a full-time undergraduate course of not less than...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is awaiting the appointment of a Design Team. 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...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware that the home tuition scheme provides a grant to parents to facilitate the provision of education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting an educational placement and provide early education intervention for pre-school...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The planned building programme for the College referred to by the Deputy involves four individual major projects all of which are progressing. Three projects, a Digital Media Building, Workshops and a Multi Purpose Hall form part of the first bundle of higher education projects that were announced earlier this year for delivery through the Public Private Partnership process. Pre-procurement...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 366 together. I am aware of the concerns referred to by the Deputy. The 2009 Budget required difficult choices to be made across all areas of public expenditure. These decisions were made to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability in the long run. In this respect Education while protected to a much greater extent than most other...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project for the school to which the Deputy refers involves the acquisition of a site for a new school building. The progression of the project, from site acquisition and 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 on the...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware that a significant number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs 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 educational needs. Specifically, the following sections have been commenced...

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations including organising the holding of examinations, making arrangements for the marking of work presented for examination and issuing the results of examinations. I understand that the Commission does make reasonable accommodations in the certificate examinations in...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to inform the Deputy that An Bord Pleanála has recently upheld the planning application in relation to the permanent building for this school. My Department will now proceed to construction without delay and will keep the school authorities informed of progress.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers is at an early stage of architectural planning. In this regard, a Stage 2a submission is currently being examined by my Department. 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...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers involves the acquisition of additional land. The progression of the project, from site acquisition and 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 on the capital budget of the Department, it...

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The 2009 Budget required difficult choices to be made across all areas of public expenditure. These decisions were made to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability in the long run. In this respect education while protected to a much greater extent than most other areas of public expenditure could not be totally spared. Among those decisions was to advance the withdrawal of...

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Delegation orders were required in respect of two Ministers of State at my Department — Minister of State Haughey and Minister of State Andrews. The delegation order for Minister of State Barry Andrews was made on 15 July 2008 and for Minister of State Haughey on 17 July 2008.

Written Answers — Property Development: Property Development (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: In March 2005, my Department gave TRBDI approval to proceed with seeking expressions of interest from private sector property developers to determine what could be provided at the estate referred to by the Deputy in exchange for the Institute's current property in Clonmel. I understand that negotiations with a preferred bidder are continuing. Following these negotiations the Institute will...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 377 together. The level of funding for rented accommodation in 2009 will be finalised later in the year but will be met from my Department's overall allocation in the budget. The capital allocation of €581m in 2009, although a slight reduction over the 2008 allocation, represents a significant investment in the school building and modernisation...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The 2009 Budget required difficult choices to be made across all areas of public expenditure. These decisions were made to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability in the long run. In this respect education while protected to a much greater extent than most other areas of public expenditure could not be totally spared. Prudent management of the Government finances is...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Department of Education and Science has a single Press Office. This office is staffed by a Special Adviser with responsibilities for press and communications, two Higher Executive Officers, two Executive Officers and one Clerical Officer. The Press Office responds to media queries on behalf of the Minister, the Minister of State and the Department of Education and Science generally. The...

Written Answers — School Placement: School Placement (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: As I previously advised the Deputy, it is expected that special school authorities would consider post-school placement for school leavers in the period leading up to a student's graduation from the school. It is open to the family to liaise with the school authorities to discuss post-school placement options for the young person in question.

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The selection and enrolment of pupils in second-level schools is the responsibility of the school management authorities. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking second level places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. As schools may not...