Results 5,361-5,380 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (28 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the project to which he refers went to tender last week. Subject to the necessary technical and financial approvals, it is expected that I will be in a position to place a contract in the near future.

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (28 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: In light of the Budget 2009 decision my Department has now published a circular for schools which sets out how the new arrangements will operate for the allocation of language support teachers from September 2009. The circular sets out a structured and transparent approach for the operation of the alleviation measures that were announced in the budget for schools that have a significant...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (28 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy may be aware, a key focus and priority of my Department is to provide for resources in schools to support pupils with special educational needs, including those with dyslexia. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers to schools to support children...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (28 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The progression of all large scale building projects, including the project in question, 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...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (28 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 445 and 446 together. It is the policy of my Department to provide all new schools with access for all facilities and special toilets for disabled teachers and students. In addition, new schools with two or more storeys are provided with lifts. My Department advises school authorities and their design teams of accessibility requirements during the...

Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Board: Residential Institutions Redress Board (28 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy is aware, the Residential Institutions Redress Board is entirely independent in the performance of its functions and, once an award is made by it, the State is obliged to pay that award. The revised allocation recently announced will in no way impinge on the level of awards to former residents. The criteria employed by the Board to determine the level of awards in each...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (28 Apr 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 (SNAs) 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...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (28 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I have had enquiries made with the relevant school authorities, through my Department's National Educational Psychological Service, in relation to the child referred to in this question. I can confirm to the Deputy that the child has, as of last November, undergone an educational assessment by a psychologist under the Scheme for Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA) operated and...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (28 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 enrolment...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (28 Apr 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 (SENO) for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology is required. My Department has no...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (28 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school referred to by the Deputy applied for funding in respect of roof works under the 2008 summer works scheme and also as an emergency works project. As the Deputy will be aware the 2008 summer works scheme was deferred to 2009 and I will be announcing the successful applications very shortly.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (28 Apr 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 been...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (28 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Of the legislation pertaining to the Department of Education & Science within the 2007-2009 the following legislation was enacted by the Oireachtas, or were regulations and orders which required Oireachtas approval: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2007 (No. 9 of 2007) Recognition of Professional Qualifications (Directive 2005/36/EC) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 139/2008, Prn.A8/0609)...

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (28 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy is aware I am currently finalising a review of policy options in relation to the consideration of the introduction of a form of student contribution. There are many complex and competing considerations including implementation issues which need to be taken into account in the consideration of all available options. It is my intention to bring proposals to Government in the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (28 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has been aware of a need for further post primary provision in the Dublin 15 area and in that context, I sanctioned the establishment of a new post primary school for the area last year. The new school will be called Luttrellstown Community College and the Patron is County Dublin VEC. My Department is working closely with Co. Dublin VEC to open the new school in September 2009...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (28 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to confirm that my Department has recently provided funds to the Galway City Vocational Education Committee to enable them to close the sale on the site for the school mentioned by the Deputy. This school is included in my Department's PPP school building programme. The make up and timing of further school bundles from this programme will be determined by my Department in...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (28 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. As the Deputy will be aware, in February, I announced details of 43 major building projects to proceed to tender and construction and 25 high priority projects to commence architectural planning. The project to which the Deputy refers was not included in this...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (28 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 460 to 464, inclusive, together. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the project at the school to which he refers was included in my recent announcement of 43 projects to proceed to tender and construction in 2009. Since then, the school authorities and their design team attended a briefing session with my Department officials at which they were...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (28 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Applications submitted for the Summer Works Scheme in 2008, including those from Co. Donegal VEC, are currently being assessed. The school authorities will be notified of the outcome of this process in due course.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (28 Apr 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm to the Deputy that an application was received from County Donegal VEC for large scale capital funding for an extension/refurbishment project at the school to which he refers. It has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects by my Department and assigned a Band rating of 2.4. The progression of all large scale...