Results 6,421-6,440 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1141 to 1144, inclusive, together. 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...

Written Answers — Institutes of Technology: Institutes of Technology (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Officials from my Department recently visited the estate referred to by the Deputy and met with representatives from the Institute to discuss the proposed relocation and associated matters arising including the potential benefits for the surrounding area. All matters discussed at the meeting remain under consideration within my Department.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 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 a new school project. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and has been assigned a band rating of 1.1. Following a site examination it was established that additional...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am committed to providing information in relation to the allocation of teachers to schools and as a new feature on my Department's website. The process has begun with the provision earlier this year of initial information on the allocation of mainstream classroom teachers to primary schools under the revised schedule for 2009/10. To be clear there is no doubt that the budget measures...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The number of unqualified teachers on a regular contract of employment in June 2009 within the post primary sector is 53 and 377 within the Primary sector. Schools may have to employ unqualified casual / non-casual teachers where it is not possible to obtain a trained substitute teacher for short term absences.

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to advise the Deputy that the total number of whole-time equivalent Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) employed in Primary schools in June 2008 was 8375 and in June 2009 was 8582. The total number of whole-time equivalent SNAs employed in Post Primary schools in June 2008 was 1826 and in June 2009 was 2014. My Department is not in a position to provide the information in relation to the...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I have consistently said that the 2009 Budget required difficult choices to be made across all areas of public expenditure. These decisions were made to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability in the long run. In this respect Education, while protected to a much greater extent than most other areas of public expenditure, could not be totally spared. This obviously impacted on...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The particular Programme for Government commitment referred to by the Deputy would require additional teaching posts in second level schools and therefore cannot be considered until the public finances are stabilised, economic recovery is underway and tax revenues improve.

Written Answers — Teaching Qualifications: Teaching Qualifications (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy may be aware that the Teaching Council has a statutory role in relation to the review of standards required for entry into the teaching profession, including the standards of knowledge, skill and competence required for the practice of teaching. In the context of Section 38 of the Teaching Council Act, the Teaching Council has begun work on the development of its strategy for the...

Written Answers — Capitation Grants: Capitation Grants (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: This Government's continued prioritisation of education is evidenced from our investment in 2009 of €9.6 billion – over treble what it was in 1997. The increase of €302m in the Education budget for 2009 is therefore a real achievement in the current economic climate. Education is one of only three Government Departments to have increased funding in 2009. The budget for education is...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The funding arrangements made by my Department for second-level schools reflect the sectoral division of our second-level system. At the core of all arrangements is reliance upon capitation as the principal determinant of funding. My Department provides funding to secondary schools by way of per capita grants, which affords schools considerable flexibility in the use of these resources to...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am very much aware of the cost pressures on schools, including those arising from waste charges and the changes in relation to water charges. With regard to waste charges, there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to examine the feasibility of introducing waste allowances for schools. The progression of this commitment is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware the Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish a Developing Areas Unit to liaise with local authorities, identify where new schools are needed and ensure that they are delivered in the fastest possible timeframe. This Unit was established early in 2008. This fast-track approach to the provision of school buildings delivered 26 major building...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Programme for Government sets out a number of measures in relation to school provision including improving arrangements for the planning of new schools. A Code of Practice in relation to "The Provision of Schools and the Planning System", which was published in July 2008 sets out the best practice approaches that should be followed by planning authorities and by my Department in...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Professional and Technical staff in my Department continuously review and update the design of school buildings. A suite of technical guidance documents is available on my Department's website to assist external design teams in best practice in the design and development of projects and to encourage a complete design team approach from project conception to completion. My Department...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is at the forefront of design with respect to energy efficiency in school buildings and this performance has been recognised at both national and international level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in Design and Specification. The Department's Technical Guidance Documents which set the benchmark for low energy design in schools are clearly focused on energy...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The primary responsibility of my Department in this area is the provision of school facilities for the effective delivery of the primary and post-primary curricula. In addition, school authorities have a considerable degree of autonomy in relation to how their premises are managed and utilised at local level. However, the Government recognises that there is a lack of recreational facilities...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy is aware, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to abolish the local contribution towards the costs of school building projects and the rental of school accommodation. This matter is currently under consideration within my Department.

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: In November 2006 the funding for the minor works grant was increased by 44% on the previous year. Around €27m was paid out that year and a similar amount for the 2007/8 and 2008/9 school years to primary schools throughout the country to enable thousands of small scale works to be completed without the need to interact with my Department. Individual primary schools received a grant in...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: All buildings constructed on land in the ownership of the State remain in the ownership of the Minister or a Vocational Education Committee as appropriate.