Results 6,461-6,480 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1190, 1191 and 1203 together. The Deputy will be aware that a significant number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004 have been commenced, principally those establishing the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and those promoting an inclusive approach to the education of children with special...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: A key priority for the Government over the past decade has been to improve the provision of additional resources for all pupils with special educational needs (SEN), including those attending post-primary schools. Second level schools should be informed and guided in their support of students with SEN by the guideline document "Inclusion of Students with Special Educational Needs:...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: In light of the Budget 2009 decision in relation to language support my Department has 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...

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The capacity of higher education institutions to address key national objectives, including increasing access and participation, is supported through core and strategic funding allocated under the Human Capital Priority of the NDP. The Social Inclusion Priority of the NDP also supports increased participation by disadvantaged groups through funding allocated through the higher education...

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The implementation of this Programme for Government commitment will be considered in the context of the development of policies on how best to meet the future funding requirements of the higher education sector, having regard to available resources.

Written Answers — Third Level Sector: Third Level Sector (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department, together with the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) supports the work of third level institutions in broadening routes of access to higher education. The National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2008–2013, which I launched in July 2008, seeks to encourage the broadening of entry routes to higher...

Written Answers — Third Level Sector: Third Level Sector (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: In the two years 2007 and 2008, the Government has invested in excess of €300m in developing the country's higher education infrastructure. In 2009 an additional €200m is being invested. Investments since 2007 have enabled the Government to expend €82m on dedicated research projects under Cycles 3 and 4 of the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRLTI) thereby advancing...

Written Answers — Student Representation: Student Representation (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The commitment to appoint a second student representative to the Board of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) is considered when appointments are being made, having regard to the need to ensure an overall balance of stakeholder interests. The HEA engages extensively with student interests as an integral part of its ongoing work and the USI plays an active role in this process and continues...

Written Answers — In-Service Training: In-Service Training (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has provided for a comprehensive system of continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers in the area of special educational needs. Central to this is the "Special Education Support Service" (SESS) which was established in September 2003. The service consolidates co-ordinates, develops and delivers a range of professional development initiatives and support structures...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I believe that the arts and physical education have an important role to play in the education of the individual. Music, the visual arts and drama provide for sensory, emotional, intellectual and creative enrichment and contribute to the young person's holistic development and self esteem. Physical Education plays an important role in promoting physical and motor development, promoting...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: It is open to providers of higher education to establish and provide certified programmes of education and training in the field of interpreting. For example, I am aware of a programme leading to a Graduate Certificate in Community Interpreting provided by Dublin City University. There are also many people in the interpreting industry who have certified qualifications from outside the...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The Planning and Building Unit of my Department has no record of an application for emergency funding from the school in question. Should an application be received it will be assessed and the school authorities notified of the outcome without delay. A proposed major capital project to refurbish and extend the school building is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. In light of...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to advise the Deputy that a single school is funded by my Department to provide education for pupils with a moderate, severe or profound general learning disability or pupils who have autism. Some of school's classes take place in a separate building, referred to by the Deputy, and this may have led some observers to think that these classes are a separate entity. This is not the...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The 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. The school accommodation needs in north Dublin will be fully considered in this context. The progression of all...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: Since its establishment on 28 March 2006, the Teaching Council is the designated authority for the recognition of qualifications for teaching in the State. I have made enquiries with the Teaching Council regarding this case and have been advised that the Council has been in contact with the applicant on an ongoing basis and understands that a decision is required shortly and that once a...

Written Answers — Teachers' Remuneration: Teachers' Remuneration (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The case referred to by the Deputy is being examined by officials from my Department. I will arrange for the Deputy to be advised of the position as soon as possible.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy is of course aware of the Government decision to implement a recruitment and promotion moratorium in the public sector. In the VECs, positions other than teacher and SNA posts in schools, and teacher equivalents that are directly providing tuition to pupils in schools, in special programmes or in an adult and further education, are comprehended by this decision. In the case of...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The tender report for the proposed extension/refurbishment project at the school in question was received in my Department on 30th June. It is currently being assessed by the Professional and Technical Staff of the Building Unit. When this assessment is complete the project will be considered for the construction stage.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department recently sanctioned approval for Kildare VEC to purchase a site for the school in question. I am advised that negotiations are at an advanced stage. The Deputy will appreciate that given the commercial sensitivities in relation to the acquisition of sites generally, I am not in a position to comment any further at this time.