Results 3,461-3,480 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (6 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: 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 to a staffing schedule which is issued to all primary schools each year. The detailed staffing allocation for the school in question for the academic year 2009/10 cannot...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (6 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Overall the number of primary and post-primary teachers in schools in September 2009 is projected to be about 200 fewer in each sector compared to September 2008. The estimates are calculated on the basis that approximately 900 additional posts in primary schools and 320 such posts in post-primary schools are needed due to demographics and the continued growth in provision for children with...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The estimated cost of the 3.5% pay increase with effect from 1 September 2009, arising under the recently negotiated second pay agreement under Towards 2016, is €80m in 2009 and €240m in a full year. The following Table gives a breakdown of the costs requested by the Deputy. Estimated impact of 3.5% Pay Increase 1/9/09 2009 Budget Allocation 3.50% wef Departmental Staff Salaries...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The attendance/absence of officials at my Department is recorded on a Human Resources Management System (HRMS) database. A similar parliamentary question was tabled recently by one of the Deputy's colleagues and I have requested officials at the Personnel Unit of my Department to compile information on absenteeism for the last five years as sought by that Deputy and forward it to him in due...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (6 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for capital funding for a new school building. 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...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (6 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 279 together. The National Disability Strategy supports and reinforces equal participation in society of people with disabilities. Its elements include — the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004, the Disability Act, 2005 and its associated Sectoral Plans published in 2006 by six Government Departments, the Citizens...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (11 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is my Department's intention to provide a new green field site building for the school, which is the subject matter of the correspondence to which the Deputy refers. The project is currently in the advanced stages of architectural planning. Progress on the new school will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme. However, in...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (11 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The decision on eligibility for student maintenance grants is a matter for the relevant assessing authority, either the local authority or VEC, as appropriate. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department, except in exceptional circumstances. My Department contacted Wexford VEC, the awarding body in this case, and was advised that the issue has been resolved.

Written Answers — Departmental Savings: Departmental Savings (11 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: In the 2007/2008 school year the overall cost of substitution cover in primary and all second level schools is estimated at €183 million. The breakdown is as follows: Uncertified sick leave — €17 million, Certified sick leave — €45 million, Official school business Post Primary only — €13.0 million, Maternity and related leave — €65 million, Release time Primary only —...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (11 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Under the terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme, only eligible children qualify for free transport. In order to be eligible, children must live at least 3.2 kilometres from, and be attending, their nearest National School or school of amalgamation. Primary school transport routes are generally planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible child will have more than 2.4 kilometres to...

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (11 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools), the action plan for educational inclusion, which is being rolled out on a phased basis over the period 2006-2010 provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and a new integrated School Support Programme (SSP). DEIS brings together and builds upon a number of existing interventions in schools with a...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (11 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The purpose of the decision taken in early 2007 to increase Ireland's contribution to the George Mitchell Scholarship Fund by a maximum of €20 million over a five year period based on matching private sponsorship was to allow the US-Ireland Alliance to further strengthen the US-Ireland Alliance's activities in promoting US-Ireland relations through the provision of scholarships to highly...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (11 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware, I published the ICT Strategy Group Report, Investing Effectively in ICT in Schools 2008-2013, together with the evaluation report undertaken by my Department's Inspectorate, ICT in Schools, in July. While acknowledging the progress made since the ICT in Schools Programme was first launched some ten years ago, these Reports set out a substantial agenda to be...

Written Answers — Higher Education Sector: Higher Education Sector (11 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I do not propose to consider any proposal for designation as a HEA institution pending the completion of the process to develop a new national strategy for higher education. I will be bringing proposals to Government shortly in relation to the terms of reference and process to develop the new strategy which will provide the vision and strategic direction for the future development of the...

Written Answers — School Inspections: School Inspections (11 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An inspection at the school referred to by the Deputy was carried out by the Health and Safety Authority. The notification for the school was sent to the Chair of the Board of Management of the school and a copy was received by my Department. The report states that the School's Health and Safety Statement of 1999 is out of date and needs to be revised by the Board of Management. As the...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (11 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 602 and 639 together. In relation to the needs of visually impaired children in Co. Mayo, the management of my Department's Visiting Teacher services continues to examine all available options for the provision of a service to the county.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (11 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The means test arrangements of the Student Maintenance Grant Schemes have been in operation since 1983 and are applied nationally. In the case of both the employed and self-employed gross income is assessed with certain specified social welfare and health service executive payments excluded. Under the schemes reckonable income is defined as income from: Employment/Pensions; Self...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department incurred costs of €1,319,817.79 in 2007 and €2,039,199.34 in 2008 in relation to certain litigation costs, i.e. for cases before the Courts which involved the Department as a Defendant or Respondent. These would have included litigation relating to Primary and Post-Primary Schools, Community and Comprehensive Schools, Special Educational Needs, school non-attendance,...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (11 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Based on current demographic trends my Department anticipates that there will be a need for a further post-primary school in Lucan in the medium term and it is in contact with South Dublin County Council regarding a site for this development. My Department is considering the proposed site options received from South Dublin County Council in this regard. It is intended that this issue,...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (11 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Teaching service given in one jurisdiction is not recognised in the other for the purpose of teachers' superannuation awards because, at present, there are no formal arrangements agreed on a North South basis for the mutual transferability of pension entitlements for people working in the public sector, including teachers. However, as the Deputy may be aware, at an Institutional Format...