Results 5,221-5,240 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (7 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 397 and 398 together. The State Examinations Commission is charged with operating the certificate examinations to the highest standards of openness, fairness and accountability. In doing so, the Commission provides for the establishment of examination centres in both publicly funded schools and in the private sector. In addition, individual candidates are...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (7 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am aware of the correspondence received in my Department from the school referred to by the Deputy. The budget measures will impact on individual schools in different ways depending on whether enrolment is rising or declining and the degree to which any one school has more teachers than it is entitled to under the allocation processes. My Department has written to the primary schools that...

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (7 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Under the Free Fees Initiative the Exchequer meets the tuition fees of eligible full-time undergraduate students including such persons, as referred to by the Deputy, once they meet the criteria of the Initiative. The main conditions are that students must be first-time undergraduates and hold EU nationality and have been ordinarily resident in an EU Member State for at least three of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (7 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The information sought is not readily available. I have requested officials of my Department to compile the information available and this will be forwarded to you as soon as possible.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is otherwise known as the Wicklow Times.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to share my time with the Ministers of State from my Department, Deputies Jimmy Devins and Barry Andrews. The scale of the challenges we face and the speed at which the economic environment has changed make this budget one of critical importance to our country's future well-being. As the Minister for Finance pointed out yesterday, there is limited scope for additional expenditure...

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: If Deputy Broughan were here in time he would have heard that a dramatic improvement has been made in the number of people who will be offered meaningful programmes which will provide a bridge for those people who have the ability to avail of them to progress to full-time education, degree courses, diplomas or certificates.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Outstanding progress has been made. There were already 51,000 and we are putting together another 24,000. The co-operation I am getting from the institutes of technology, the VECs and FÁS has been outstanding and I commend their co-operation.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (8 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has had a series of meetings with representatives of the City and County Managers' Association (CCMA) to agree on the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding on the acquisition of sites for school planning purposes. I understand that a detailed draft has been jointly prepared and was to be discussed at a CCMA meeting on the final terms of the Memorandum. While a formal response...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (8 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department's School Building and Modernisation Programme is divided into a number of component elements or sub programmes, including a sub programme for the provision for Furniture and Equipment. Appropriate classroom furniture is provided as part of extension/new school buildings funded by my Department. There are no plans to withdraw these grants at present. Schools requiring additional...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (8 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The selection and enrolment of pupils in schools is the responsibility of the authorities of the individual school. Under section 15 (2) (d) of the Education Act 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that as regards that policy that principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents choice are...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (8 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Under the terms of my Department's third level maintenance grants schemes, grant assistance is available to eligible students attending approved third level courses in approved institutions. An approved course for the purpose of the schemes means a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years duration and a full time postgraduate course of not less than one year duration...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (8 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Applications submitted for the Summer Works Scheme in 2008, including one from the school in question, are currently being assessed. The school authority in question will be notified of the outcome of this assessment in due course.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (8 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department focused on delivering as many large projects as possible in 2008, with a particular emphasis on providing sufficient school places in developing areas, while also delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country. Accordingly, funding was not made available for a Summer Works Scheme in 2008. I recognise...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (8 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act requires a Ministerial Order to provide for its commencement. However, I have indicated my intention to amend Section 30 so that a school may employ unregistered personnel on a time limited basis in limited circumstances. I believe that the above proposed legislative arrangement reflects the situation facing schools today where it is not always...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (8 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The budget measures will impact on individual schools in different ways depending on whether enrolment is rising or declining and the degree to which any one school has more teachers than it is entitled to under the allocation processes. In terms of the position at individual school level the key factor for determining the level of resources provided by my Department is the pupil...

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (8 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. I suggest that the parent contacts the State Examinations Commission (Entries Section) to discuss arrangements for her son to sit the Junior Certificate at 009064-42702/42703/42706 or by e-mail: entries@examinations.ie. Section 29 of the Education Act 1998,...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (8 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department provides a range of supports to second level schools to enable them cater for pupils with special educational needs. Such supports may include learning/resource teaching support, special needs assistant support and funding for the purchase of specialised equipment. Resource-teacher hours are allocated on behalf of individual students with special educational needs. The core...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (8 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: A Transition Year offers pupils a broad educational experience with a view to the attainment of increased maturity, before proceeding to further study and/or vocational preparation. It provides a bridge to help pupils make the transition from a highly-structured environment to one where they will take greater responsibility for their own learning and decision making. Pupils will participate...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (8 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Teachers will be fully supported to implement the reforms in Mathematics in second level schools. The Project Maths initiative is designed to encourage better understanding of maths, to reinforce the practical relevance of maths to everyday life, and to ensure better continuity between primary and second level, and junior and senior cycle. It is being led by the National Council for...