Results 6,341-6,360 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Institutes of Technology: Institutes of Technology (8 Jul 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 — Higher Education Sector: Higher Education Sector (8 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 480 and 481 together. The process to develop a new national strategy for higher education is being led by a High Level Steering Group chaired by Dr Colin Hunt which draws on national and international expertise. Membership of the group is listed below. The group has met on four occasions since its launch in February 2009. The process is expected to be...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be required at primary and post-primary level for future school years. Factors under consideration include population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and capacity of existing schools to...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: In 2002, the Department received an initial application for large scale capital funding to provide for suitable ancillary accommodation at the school referred to by the Deputy. An updated application was received in September 2007 seeking funding for a major extension to include additional classroom accommodation. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project,...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be required at primary and post-primary level for future years. The area referred to by the Deputy will be included in this process. Factors under consideration include population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers, is at an early stage of architectural planning. A stage 1 submission (Site Suitability, Site Report, Initial Sketch Scheme) is currently being reviewed by my Department. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage to construction phase will continue to be considered in the context of my...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers is at an early stage of architectural planning. A stage 2A submission(developed sketch scheme) was approved by my Department in March 2009. 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 Deputy will understand that it is not...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for capital funding for a new school building. 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...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm that my Department is in receipt of an application for major capital funding from the school to which the Deputy refers. I recently met with a deputation from the school to discuss its accommodation needs and I am aware that the Patron has donated a site for the provision of a new school building. The deputation was advised that the Forward Planning Section of my Department...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be required at primary and post-primary level for future school years. Factors under consideration include population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and capacity of existing schools to...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy may be aware, I announced in September 2008 that the project for the school in question was to proceed to re-tender and construction. My Department's Building Unit is currently awaiting a Stage 2B (Detailed Design) submission, to comply with the new form of Government Construction Contract. Once it is received and examined, my officials will be in contact with the school...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (8 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and my predecessor Minister Hanafin announced in March 2007 that a support and development initiative for the Irish language under the aegis of An Chomhaire um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta would be located at Coláiste Íosagáin in Baile Bhúirne and that four additional staff would be assigned to...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The Department received an application for large scale capital funding to provide accommodation to cater for the amalgamation of the two primary schools in the town referred to by the Deputy. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 1.4 rating. The progression of all large scale building...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: Under the terms of the maintenance grants schemes grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. The Maintenance Grant Scheme for Students attending Post Leaving Certificate courses is administered by the Vocational Education Committees on behalf of my...

Written Answers — Graduate Retention: Graduate Retention (8 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: A breakdown of county of employment vs. county of origin of graduates is available annually from the Higher Education Authority in their What Do Graduates Do? series of reports. The latest available report published in October 2008 indicates that nationally 31% of graduates find employment in their county of origin. Galway has the third highest graduate retention rate (63%) after Dublin (93%)...

Written Answers — Teachers' Remuneration: Teachers' Remuneration (8 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 498 and 499 together. The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers is agreed by the Teachers Conciliation Council which is made up of representatives of the teacher representative bodies, school management and the Departments of Education and Science and Finance under an Independent Chairperson. The Teachers Conciliation Council...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The review of criteria for the 2009 maintenance grant schemes is currently being finalised. Decisions on the 2009 schemes will be announced as soon as the process is completed.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: To date in 2009 the cumulative value of advertising placed by my Department is €45,000. My Department advertises for a wide range of educational related schemes and programmes. In general the advertising undertaken by my Department encompasses, for example, invitations to forward submissions on education related schemes/projects, invitations to tender for school building programmes and...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (8 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Notwithstanding the increase of €302 million in the education budget for 2009, which is a real achievement in the current economic climate, a number of tough and difficult decisions had to be taken. These decisions included the decision to discontinue the annual funding of €97,000 that my Department made available to the Centre for Talented Youth (CTYI) at Dublin City University....

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is not possible to provide the information requested in the time available. A reply will issue to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.