Results 6,321-6,340 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (7 Jul 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 additional resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to primary and post primary schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The decision on eligibility for student grants is a matter for the relevant assessing authority - i.e. the relevant local authority or Vocational Education Committee. The student referred to by the Deputy should seek information or clarification directly from the relevant assessing authority. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except, in exceptional cases,...

Written Answers — Early Childhood Education: Early Childhood Education (7 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The compulsory school starting age in a National School is 6 years of age and Rule 64 (1) of the Rules for National Schools provides that a child must be at least 4 years of age before she/he may be enrolled in a National School. The primary school curriculum is designed as an eight year course, including a two year infant cycle followed by six years in standards from first to sixth, with...

Written Answers — Higher Education Funding: Higher Education Funding (7 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy is aware, the process to develop a new national strategy for higher education is now underway which is being overseen by a high level steering group, chaired by economist Dr Colin Hunt and comprising national and international expertise including academic, business, community and student interests, as well as senior government officials. The process affords a timely opportunity...

Written Answers — Foreign Students: Foreign Students (7 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The information requested by the Deputy is attached. There has been a 45% increase in international student numbers in Irish higher education institutions, including private institutions, since 2004. "Building Ireland's Smart Economy: A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal" recognises the benefits of further increasing international student numbers. These include significant...

Written Answers — Language Schools: Language Schools (7 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Advisory Council for English Language Schools (ACELS) was established under the auspices of my Department to administer standards in language schools and organisations through a quality assurance scheme supported by a programme of inspections. Language schools meeting the standards required by the ACELS scheme are recognised by my Department. The list of recognised organisations is...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (7 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The post primary school project referred to by the Deputy is included in the list of seven schools which I have approved for inclusion in the 3rd Bundle of schools to be procured via Public Private Partnership. This Bundle is in the pre procurement stage and my Department has completed a round of stakeholders' meetings in each of the locations where PPP schools are to be provided. A detailed...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (7 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware, this project was included in my announcement in February 2009, of projects which would proceed to tender and construction during 2009. The project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. My Department is currently awaiting the Stage 2b submission from the Design team.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (7 Jul 2009)

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

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (7 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 2.1 rating. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial...

Written Answers — Student Visas: Student Visas (7 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The number of complaints received by my Department in this area is relatively low. In 2009, four complaints have been received involving three institutions in relation to the issue of fee refunds where study visas have been refused. As the circumstances leading to the complaints are varied and sometimes the result of human error and as the institutions concerned have co-operated with the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (7 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an early stage of Architectural Planning. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage 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 Accommodation: School Accommodation (7 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Forward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school capacity at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (7 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Forward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department...

Written Answers — Teachers' Remuneration: Teachers' Remuneration (7 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The person in question gave intermittent substitute teaching service which was non-pensionable up until recently. However, arising from recently introduced improvements in superannuation, this person now qualifies for a pension and lump sum from my Department in respect of that service. Her case is currently being processing with a view to payment of benefits before the end of July.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 474 and 492 together. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has identified a suitable site for the school referred to by him. Contracts for the acquisition of the site have been received and are being examined by the Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO) which acts on behalf of the Department on property related matters. The Deputy will appreciate that...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 2.1 rating. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 2.1 rating. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from...

Written Answers — Teaching Qualifications: Teaching Qualifications (8 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As I outlined to the Deputy in June, there is a set of common criteria for entry to courses leading to qualification as a primary teacher, which includes certain Leaving Certificate requirements. Applicants for the approved Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary Teaching) and the Higher Diploma in Arts in Primary Education must have the following academic qualifications: (a) an honours...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: Based on the information provided by the school to my Department, the level of learning support teaching in the school in question will not change in the forthcoming school year. The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating additional resource teachers...