Results 5,941-5,960 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports including special needs assistants. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. All schools...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I understand that the Deputy's office has confirmed that his question refers to special need assistant support in the school. As you 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 primary and post primary schools to...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: There are two circulars issued by my Department which provide for exemptions from the study of Irish as a subject for limited specific circumstances. As part of the primary school curriculum Irish is a compulsory subject. Department Circular 12/96 applies to primary schools funded by my Department and sets out the conditions under which exemption from the study of Irish may be granted...

Written Answers — Early Retirement Scheme: Early Retirement Scheme (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement for public servants over 50 years of age was announced in the Budget in April this year. It does not apply to teachers for 2 reasons. Firstly, primary and post-primary teachers are not subject to the recent moratorium on recruitment which applies to most other parts of the public service. Instead, the number of teacher and Special Needs...

Written Answers — Institutes of Technology: Institutes of Technology (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The position is that applications have been received from three higher education institutions for designation as Universities; Waterford Institute of Technology, Dublin Institute of Technology and Cork Institute of Technology. The issue of university designation does not just affect the institutions and the regions from which applications have been received; it also impacts on the future...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, following a review of the tender report, it is expected that a Design and Build contract will be placed by County Dublin Vocational Education Committee, as patron of the school in question, with the preferred bidder in the near future.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy may be aware, I announced last February that the school in question was to progress to architectural planning. Officials from my Department will be touch with the patron of the school shortly, in relation to progression of the project.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy may be aware, I announced last February that the school in question was to progress to architectural planning for the provision of a new permanent school building. Officials from my Department will be touch with the school authority shortly, in relation to progression of the project.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy may be aware, I announced last February that the school in question was to progress to architectural planning for the provision of a new permanent school building. Officials from my Department will be touch with the school authority shortly, in relation to progression of the project.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports including special needs assistants. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. All schools...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers applied to my Department for large scale capital funding in August 2008. This application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and has been assigned a Band 2 rating. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has considered the additional information submitted by the school in question in support of its request to retain the special class for mild general learning disability. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department has permitted the school to retain the special class for the 2009/2010 school year.

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As I indicated previously I have introduced a new €20 million scheme to improve roof and cavity wall insulation levels in school buildings across the country. The devolved energy efficiency scheme, which is being implemented with the help of Sustainable Energy Ireland, allows schools to apply for funding on a once-off basis to upgrade the fabric insulation in attics and the external cavity...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that an application from the school in question for heating works has been approved by my Department and the school management has been informed of the decision.

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The application for Summer Works Scheme funding from the school to which the Deputy refers was not successful because the works were deemed by my Department not to be absolutely necessary at this point in time. The school may appeal this decision if it wishes. Alternatively, it is open to the school authority to use its annual Minor Works Grant to carry out the works, provided this funding...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports including the approval of special classes for autism. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support....

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy is aware all projects undertaken by my Department must be offered to the market in accordance with EU and National procurement guidelines and are subject to the local authority planning process. In relation to projects being procured via the public private partnership process additional negotiations are required post tender stage to ensure that all aspects of the 25 year...

Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Scheme: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Following receipt of the Deputy's question on 9 June my Department examined how pursuant to the agreement and relevant protocols, account was taken of grants or other payments in arriving at final valuations for the purpose of property transfers under the agreement. This initial examination has raised questions as to whether such adjustments to market valuation were made in the case of...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The information which the Deputy has requested in relation to the outcome of appeals considered by the Primary Staffing Appeal Board for staffing in the 2009-2010 school year is set out in the table. Four of the unsuccessful applicant schools were subsequently allocated a post by my Department based on their projected enrolment for September 2009. It is open to any Board of Management to...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 to 282, inclusive, together. The numbers of school projects at each respective stage of architectural planning in June 2008 and June 2009 and their allocated band ratings are contained in the tabular statement. In the time available to answer these questions it was not possible to compile and verify similar information for June 2007. The proportion of the...