Results 4,021-4,040 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Whole School Evaluations: Whole School Evaluations (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Whole-school evaluation (WSE) is a model of external evaluation for primary and post-primary schools that was formally introduced during the school year 2003/2004. WSE provides an external view to a school on the quality of its work and advice on how that work could be strengthened and improved. In the 2004-2008 period, whole-school evaluations were conducted in 241 post-primary schools...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 512 to 514, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will be aware I have recently established a Technical Working Group under the Commission on School Accommodation to undertake a full review of the criteria and procedures for the recognition of new primary schools, including Gaelscoileanna. This working group will begin work shortly and it is expected that the...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally, has been requested to source a site for the school referred to by the Deputy. The further progression of the acquisition of the site will be considered in the context of the capital budget available to the Department for school buildings generally. In light of the many competing...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has taken no decision in relation to this matter. 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 Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is my intention to have a Summer Works Scheme in 2009. The details of the operation of the scheme in 2009 and the level of funding to be made available are currently being considered and this work will be completed as soon as possible. The Professional and Technical Reports provided by schools for 2008, including the application from the school referred to by the Deputy, can be used...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (16 Dec 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. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant, or that the rate of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Section 473A, Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, provides tax relief, at the standard rate of tax, for tuition fees paid in respect of approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including certain approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and postgraduate courses in non-EU countries. An approved college in the State, in relation to a year of assessment,...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is at the fore front of design with respect to energy efficiency in school buildings. Its Technical Guidance Documents, which set the benchmark for low energy design in schools are clearly focused on energy efficiency and are based on solid energy research projects. It has been demonstrated that all Primary School's designed and built in line with this can have an energy...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: An extension and refurbishment project for the school to which the Deputy refers is at an early stage of architectural planning. The Department received a stage 1/2 submission from the Design Team, however, further information has been requested from it on foot of this. Design Team fees only accrue for payment when a stage submission is fully complete and approved by the Department.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the recent budgetary announcements do not affect the criteria used for the allocation of additional teaching and care resources in Special Schools. Capitation funding for Special Schools has also been increased bringing the top rate up to almost €1,000 per pupil. I am particularly pleased that, in order to strengthen and enhance services, and...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I understand that the initiative referred to by the Deputy is the Certificate in Contemporary Living which is delivered by the National Institute for Intellectual Disabilities (NIID) in Trinity College. This is a two-year, full-time programme which commenced in October 2005. The Certificate programme aims to promote the full inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities by...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (16 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy was informed in response to a Dáil Adjournment on the 11th December, 2008, the Office of Public Works, OPW, which acts on behalf of the Department in site acquisitions generally was requested to source a greenfield site for the school in question. However, on foot of advertising, no proposals were received for a greenfield site in the Cabra area. Further to this, the OPW...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I am aware of the concerns raised by the school referred to by the Deputy. The Government's commitment to education is clear both from its track record over the past decade in providing substantial additional resources, most notably extra teachers to meet previously unmet needs and from the programme the Government set for itself when it came into office. A lot has changed in the past...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The 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 current competing...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The proposed building project to which the Deputy refers was announced to commence architectural planning on the 8th November 2006. The schedule of overall accommodation for the school in question was recently agreed with the school management and County Westmeath VEC. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project from initial design stage through to...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The 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 current competing...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I am aware of the concerns raised by the school referred to by the Deputy. The Government's commitment to education is clear both from its track record over the past decade in providing substantial additional resources, most notably extra teachers to meet previously unmet needs and from the programme the Government set for itself when it came into office. A lot has changed in the past...

Written Answers — Caiteachas Ranna: Caiteachas Ranna (17 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Aithním an ról tábhachtach atá ag na coláistí samhraidh Gaeltachta i saol na Gaeilge agus molaim obair na gcoláistí as ucht líofacht a chothú i measc na mac léinn a dhéanann freastal orthu. Is ábhar dóchais é go leanann líon suntasach mac léinn orthu ag freastal ar na coláistí seo sa Ghaeltacht. Aithním chomh maith go mbíonn tionchar nach beag ag na coláistí ar...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (17 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports. This includes the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required and the discontinuation of such...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (17 Dec 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 597, 598 and 611 together. I recognise the important role of the Gaeltacht summer colleges and I commend the work of the colleges for fostering fluency among the students who attend them. It is encouraging that a significant number of students continue to attend these colleges in the Gaeltacht. I recognise also that the colleges have a considerable influence...