Results 4,941-4,960 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (24 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I assume that the Deputy is referring to the issue of the introduction of a form of student contribution as at present such persons, as referred to by the Deputy, would be eligible for free fees once they meet the criteria of the free fees schemes. As the Deputy is aware my Department, with the assistance of the Higher Education Authority (HEA), is at present conducting a review of policy...

Written Answers — Higher Education Sector: Higher Education Sector (24 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1015 and 1016 together. The report of the OECD Review of Higher Education in Ireland contained a series of recommendations related to the management and structure of the third level sector, as well as addressing wider policy and funding issues. The Government approved the broad thrust of the reform agenda outlined in the OECD report. The range of...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers 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 — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Department is in receipt of an application for major capital funding from the school to which the Deputy refers. More recently, the Department was informed by the School's Board of Management that the community has secured a three acre greenfield site and have drawn up plans for a new permanent school building. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project,...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Department is in receipt of an application for major capital funding in respect of the provision of ancillary accommodation for special education, from the school to which the Deputy refers. 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...

Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (24 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) provides part-time further education options for persons who wish to combine a return to learning with work, family or other commitments. It is funded by my Department and delivered through VECs and community groups. My Department also allocates funding to VECs for community education activities under the Community Education programme. It would...

Written Answers — State Claims Agency: State Claims Agency (24 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: In relation to the case raised by the Deputy, I wish to advise the House in the first instance that the matter is being handled by the State Claims Agency on behalf of the State. Judgement has been reserved on the issue of costs which was heard on Monday 23rd February. From the State's perspective, it was necessary to have such a hearing as the person in question was seeking her costs...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (24 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am aware of the letter the Deputy refers to and my Department will be responding to the person in question in the near future.

Written Answers — School Funding: School Funding (24 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department received an application for emergency funding from the school in question. This application is currently under consideration and a decision will be reached very shortly. The school authorities will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Denominational Education: Denominational Education (24 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1030, 1034, 1051 and 1063 together. I wish to reassure the Deputies that I, along with my colleagues in Government, recognise the importance of ensuring that students from a Protestant background can attend a school that reflects their denominational ethos. The Deputies may be aware that I met with representatives of the Church of Ireland Board of...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (24 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has received correspondence from the Diocesan Solicitors dated December 2007 in relation to the surrender of my interest in the school referred to by the Deputy. My Department is progressing this matter and in this regard has recently written to the Diocesan Solicitors to establish the current status of the Trustees. Upon receipt of this confirmation the matter will be...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (24 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I assume that the Deputy is referring to my Department's recent decision to close a number of special classes. There will be no pupil with a special educational need who will be without access to a special needs teacher as a result of the decision to apply the normal rules which govern the appointment and retention of teachers of special classes for pupils with a mild general learning...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (24 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1035 and 1036 together. There are no drivers directly employed at my Department to assist me in carrying out my functions. All Government Ministers and some other State officials are provided with a State car which is driven by a member of An Garda Síochána from a pool of Gardaí which are allocated on a full time basis to Ministers. In addition to...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The building project for the above school 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 demands on the...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (24 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has written to the primary schools that are projected to have a net loss or gain in classroom teaching posts in September, 2009. As part of my efforts to ensure that relevant information is openly available to the public detailed information on the opening position for primary schools is now published on my Department's website. This provisional list sets out the details on...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (24 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1039 and 1074 together. The report in question has not yet been received in my Department. It is expected that this review will be completed in 2009.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (24 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy may be aware, special needs assistants (SNAs) are allocated to schools to enable them support pupils with disabilities who also have significant care needs. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and SNAs to schools to support children with...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1041, 1042 and 1044 together. The information requested by the Deputy regarding the number of applications is contained in the tabular statement below. As a matter of policy, my Department does not provide cost estimates for projects as this might prejudice the tendering process. Further progression of these projects will be considered in the context of my...

Written Answers — Early School Leavers: Early School Leavers (24 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has adopted a broad-based approach to tackling early school leaving. This includes the establishment of the National Educational Welfare Board, under the Education Welfare Act, 2000, to monitor attendance and help to get young people back to school. The general functions of the Board are to ensure that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department's total capital expenditure in the primary sector for the years referred to by the deputy was as follows: 2006 — €271,995,679.01 2007 — €398,542,038.54 2008 — €488,753,572.50.