Results 4,581-4,600 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (17 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 509 to 511, inclusive, 520 to 524, inclusive, and 531 together. I wish to advise the deputies that all primary schools have been allocated additional teaching resources to enable them support pupils with high incidence special educational needs including mild general learning disability (MGLD). All primary schools were given these additional teaching...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (17 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to advise that the school to which the Deputy refers has been included in my recent announcement of building projects that will progress to construction in 2009. Officials of my Department will be in contact with the school authorities to advise on the most appropriate preparation schedule applicable on this project.

Written Answers — Schools Recognition: Schools Recognition (17 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is guided by a Commission on School Accommodation (CSA) Report produced in 2004 on the "Criteria and Procedures for establishing and maintaining provision through the medium of Irish in second level schools". The report recommends that for an Irish Medium school to be recognised, it must have: An initial first year projected enrolment of 30 pupils; A projected average first year...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (17 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am please to inform the Deputy that the application from the school in question for emergency works funding in respect of windows and roof has been approved. The school management has been informed of the position.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (17 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I welcome the declaration by the United Nations of 2009 as the year of International Human Rights Learning. Human rights and active citizenship are issues which are fundamental principles which are at the heart of the curriculum at all levels. In the primary curriculum, Human Rights is reflected in Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE), which plays an important role in developing an...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (17 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently 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 demands on...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (17 Feb 2009)

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. The various impacts at school level were included in...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (17 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: In addition to the maintenance grant schemes, other supports are available for students who may be marginally over the income limits. The Student Assistance Fund is designed to assist students who, having commenced a third-level course, experience financial hardship that may render them unable to continue their third-level studies. Applications for funding should be made by the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (17 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced 43 major building projects to proceed to tender and construction. The project to which the Deputy refers was not included in this announcement therefore, it is unlikely that this project will be progressed to construction in 2009. The progression of all large scale building projects, including the school to which the Deputy refers, from...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (17 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The proposed building project for the schools to which the Deputy refers is currently awaiting the appointment of a Design Team. As the Deputy will be aware, last week, I announced details of 43 major building projects to proceed to tender and construction and 25 high priority projects to commence architectural planning. The projects to which the Deputy refers was not included in this...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (17 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My predecessor, Minister Hanafin, represented the Government in New York for the St. Patrick's Day period in 2008. The overall cost of the visit was €17,169.44. Minister of State Seán Haughey represented the Government in Poland for the St. Patrick's Day period in 2008. The overall cost of the visit was €3,210.04. The breakdown of costs associated with these official visits is set out...

Written Answers — School Inspections: School Inspections (17 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Responsibility for school improvement rests primarily with the staff and board of management of each school and with the school's trustees or patron. Evidence from the school responses submitted by school management in response to individual inspection reports and from other sources shows that in most cases, schools have the ability, either through their own resources or with the assistance...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (18 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers was approved for a grant of €13,000 under the Outdoor Play measure, €3,000 under the ICT Equipment measure and €110,000 under the Parent Room and Library combined measure of the Dormant Accounts Fund for Educational Disadvantage. The grant of €13,000 for Outdoor Play facilities was paid in full on 30 January 2008 and the grant of €3,000 for ICT...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (18 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I have assumed that the Deputy is referring to the Value for Money and Policy Review of the Special Needs Assistant scheme being undertaken by my Department. The Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative is part of a framework introduced to secure improved value for money from public expenditure. The objectives of the review are to analyse Exchequer spending in a systematic manner and to...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Official Travel: Official Travel (18 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded to him shortly.

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Status: Disadvantaged Status (18 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has received a request for a change of status from the school referred to by the Deputy. The views of the Patron and the other schools in the area have been sought and will be taken into account in considering this application. My Department will revert to the school in due course.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (18 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 252, 255 and 258 together. I wish to advise the deputies that all primary schools have been allocated additional teaching resources to enable them support pupils with high incidence special educational needs including mild general learning disability (MGLD). All primary schools were given these additional teaching resources under the General Allocation...

Written Answers — Multi-Denominational Schools: Multi-Denominational Schools (18 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am currently considering a number of issues relating to the patronage of second-level schools and the matter raised by the Deputy will be considered in this context.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (18 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the parent's fears, as outlined in his letter, are unfounded. I note from the parent's letter that the pupil was not attending a special class and was mainstreamed with access to the school's learning support/resource teacher and that the pupil thrived with this level of support. Pupils, such as the pupil in question, will continue to receive...