Results 4,001-4,020 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application to my Department for funding under the Summer Works Scheme 2008. Neither the report referred to by the Deputy nor the issue to which it refers formed part of that application. My Department will contact the school concerned regarding the matter. Since the Summer Works Scheme was introduced, over 3,000 projects, costing in...

Written Answers — Departmental Statistics: Departmental Statistics (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am advised that officials in the planning and building unit are in the process of finalising the composition of the list of schools referred to by the Deputy and I understand that the list will be forwarded in the coming days.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 490 and 491 together. In general the arrangements for supporting secretarial and caretaking services in schools mirror those for providing support funding to the schools concerned. Primary and secondary schools are funded through capitation grants and likewise secretarial and caretaking services are funded by grants that are related to the number of pupils...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Substitution cover will continue to be provided for all other categories of absences currently available such as certified sick leave and maternity leave. In primary schools there will be substitute cover for teachers on uncertified sick leave other than on the first day of absence. In a school where more than one teacher is absent on the first day of uncertified sick leave, substitute...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I have arranged for the information sought by the Deputy to be assembled and forwarded to him as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Regulatory Impact Analyses: Regulatory Impact Analyses (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Since June 2008 there have been 7 statutory instruments promulgated which relate to the education sector. Four of these are orders of Government; two relate to the delegation of certain Ministerial functions to Ministers of State at my Department, whilst two others were made under the provisions of the Public Service Management Act 1997 to appoint the Special Advisers in accordance with...

Written Answers — Regulatory Impact Analyses: Regulatory Impact Analyses (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: There have been no occasions since June 2008 on which it has been necessary for my Department to conduct a screening RIA on a statutory instrument or Bill. Consequently the matter of a full regulatory impact analysis does not arise.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is my intention to make an announcement in the first quarter of 2009 on major primary and post-primary school projects to proceed to construction. The progression of further projects at the schools referred to by the Deputy will be considered at that time.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the secondary school in Gorey is one of seven schools which I have approved for inclusion in the 3rd Bundle of schools to be procured via Public Private Partnership. The 3rd Bundle will immediately enter pre procurement which will entail my Department commencing a round of stakeholders meetings, preparation of a detailed output specification and...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The construction of the proposed link road was not a condition of Planning. Rather the Planning Permission required that my Department provide plans to show the future link to the lands to the rear of the proposed inner-relief road. These links shall be provided when/if future development is permitted on the lands to the north-east of the site which are in the ownership of the Minister...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has not taken the decision suggested by the Deputy in respect of the home tuition scheme. I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is continuing to work with the service provider in question in the context of a proposal which they submitted in relation to home tuition payment arrangements.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The proposed building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is 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...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An extensive project for the school referred to by the Deputy is nearing completion. As is normal, the school's consultant architect provided certification relating to satisfactory progress at various stages of the works. My Department funded the school, who were the party to the contract, on receipt of the certification to enable payments to be made to the contractor as required under...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 502, 507 and 524 together. 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...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for capital funding for a General Purposes Room. Projects of this nature attract a Band 3 rating under the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. Because of the substantial number of higher priority projects that must be funded from the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (16 Dec 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 staffing allocation for the academic year 2009/10 will therefore be based on the enrolment figures as of 30 September 2008. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is issued...

Written Answers — : (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has advertised a full-time Visiting Teacher post to be based in County Mayo. It is hoped to fill the post as early as possible in 2009.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I have consistently said that 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. The various impacts at...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Notwithstanding the increase of €302 million in the Education budget for 2009, which is a real achievement in the current economic climate, a number of tough and difficult decisions had to be taken. These decisions included reductions on the aid for school books scheme. From 2009 this grant will be available only to schools within the DEIS scheme. Three schools under the management...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The condition in the 2008 maintenance grant schemes relating to residency requires, in the case of an 'Independent Mature Candidate' the candidate himself/herself shall have been ordinarily resident in the administrative area of the Local Authority from 1st October 2007. The candidate, referred to by the Deputy appealed Louth County Council's decision not to award a Higher Education Grant...