Results 4,421-4,440 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (3 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Since the implementation of the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003 relating to the translation of publications the following are the costs incurred by my Department: 2007 — €181,322.31; 2008 — €156,060.40. Prior to 2007 the amount spent on the Irish translation of publications was not separately identified and accordingly my Department is unable to provide this information....

Written Answers — School Management: School Management (3 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I assume the Deputy is referring to the proposed transfer of a site for the school in question between Galway City Council and City of Galway VEC. My Department has recently written to the VEC instructing them to proceed with negotiations regarding the site acquisition with the local authority.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (3 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. My Department has received a Stage 2/3 (sketch scheme) addendum and it is being reviewed. Officials in my Department will be in further contact with the Design Team on completion of this review. Progression of all projects to tender and construction will be considered in the context...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (3 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The major capital project for the School to which the Deputy refers has been assigned the highest priority band rating of 1. A design team has been appointed and the project is currently at Stage 1 — preliminary design and sketch scheme. The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to tender and construction, including this project, will be...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (3 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The major capital project for the School to which the Deputy refers has been assigned the highest priority band rating of 1 and a design team has been appointed. The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to tender and construction, including this project, will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (4 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Special Education Support Service provides continuing professional development for teachers in the education of all pupils with special educational needs. Post-graduate programmes of continuing professional development, funded by the Department of Education and Science in the colleges and universities also provide teachers with access to continuing professional development in the...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (4 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. I have arranged for the details...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (4 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department requested the OPW to locate a site for the school referred to by the Deputy. The OPW reported back to my Department in February 2008 indicating only one proposal was received in the Glasnevin area which was considered unsuitable. The further progression of the acquisition of a site will be considered in the context of the capital budget available to the Department for school...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (4 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Details of the schools in Co. Mayo renting temporary accommodation are given in the following tabular statement. The average annual rental cost per unit in 2007 was €8127. This information was compiled following a survey of schools regarding their use of temporary accommodation. The Deputy will be aware that demand for additional accommodation in schools has risen significantly over the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (4 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Department's legislative priorities are as outlined in the Government Legislation Programme, which was published by the Chief Whip's Office prior to the commencement of the Spring parliamentary session. The Department of Education & Science has 3 Bills listed in Section C of the programme, namely the George Mitchell Scholarship Fund Act 1998 (Amendment) Bill 2009, the Education...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (4 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The information requested is not readily available in my Department and is currently being compiled. I will arrange to forward the information to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (4 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The career break and job sharing schemes have not been withdrawn and there have been no recent amendments to these schemes. The decision to approve an application under either of these schemes is a matter for the authorities of the employing school.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (4 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has submitted an application for a new school building. Progress on this 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 Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (4 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which she refers has made a proposal to my Department in relation to the provision of sports facilities. The Planning and Building Unit of my Department will be in contact with the school authority shortly in relation to this proposal.

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (5 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware that a Common Application System (CAS) was agreed between the principals of the post-primary schools in Limerick City. This system has been facilitated through the Limerick Education Centre (LEC) with support from my Department. This administrative system ensures that a coordinated approach can be taken to enrolments in the area. My Department is aware of the call for...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (5 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is a matter for each school's Board of Management to have an enrolment policy and to then operate that policy in a fair and consistent manner having regard to the overall physical capacity of a school. Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a Board of Management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (5 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputies refer is at an early 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 on the capital...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (5 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The decision on eligibility for student grants is a matter for the relevant assessing authority — i.e. the Local Authority or VEC. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except, in exceptional cases, where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is required. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (5 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the school building project to which he refers has been sanctioned to go to tender and construction. The school authority has been informed of this approval and it is currently engaged in the tendering process.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (5 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: An application for grant aid for major capital works was received from the school to which the Deputy refers on 1st May 2007. The current position is that planning permission for the new school was lodged on 23rd December 2008. The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to tender and construction, including this project, will be considered on an...