Results 7,261-7,280 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Irish Language Education: Irish Language Education (2 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The revised primary curriculum was launched in 1999 and provides an integrated programme of learning in the spheres of Languages, Mathematics, Social Environmental and Scientific Education, Arts Education, Physical Education, Social Personal and Health Education and Religious Education. Page 27 in the Introduction to the Curriculum states "It is a particular feature of Irish primary...

Written Answers — Teaching Qualifications: Teaching Qualifications (2 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The qualifications for the teacher in question were recognised by the Teaching Council in October 2009. It is my Department's policy to pay the qualified rate to teachers from 1st September of the school year in which recognition has been obtained from the Teaching Council. Accordingly, since the qualifications were recognised during the 2009/2010 academic year, salary at the qualified...

Written Answers — Water Conservation: Water Conservation (2 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As indicated to the Deputy in my answer to Questions Nos. 532 and 546 of 24 November, my Department is in receipt of data from some local authorities on metered water consumption. I will arrange for information to be forwarded to the Deputy in relation to schools which are considerably in excess of the average water level usage of 3.5 cubic metres per pupil per year according to this data.

Written Answers — School Facilities: School Facilities (2 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am aware of the scheme run by the Jack and Jill Foundation whereby schools are provided with Interactive Whiteboards in return for recycling mobile phones. I understand that a large number of schools have registered for this scheme. The recently published Advisory Group Report "Smart Schools = Smart Economy" recommends an initial investment package of €150m over the next 3 years and I...

Written Answers — Parking Levy: Parking Levy (2 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The question asked by the Deputy does not yet apply as the Ministerial Order relating to the parking levy as set out in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008 is not yet agreed.

Written Answers — Private Colleges: Private Colleges (2 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department does not regulate the provision of private colleges. In the context of a lifelong approach to learning, it would not be feasible to confine all provision of education and training to providers which are nationally accredited. However, systems are in place to enable private colleges to access external quality assurance and to offer programmes leading to nationally...

Written Answers — International Students: International Students (2 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department's primary role in the promotion of international education is co-ordination and policy development, and Departmental officials are not seconded to Irish Embassies for this purpose. Under the new arrangements which I have recently put in place to promote Ireland as a centre for international education, Enterprise Ireland has been given operational responsibility, under my...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (3 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The closing date for the receipt of applications under the Summer Works Scheme 2010 was 27 November 2009. Following an assessment process, projects will be selected for funding from all valid and approved applications on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria published with the Scheme. In keeping with the timetable published with the governing Circular letter, I...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (3 Dec 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, for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. I have arranged for the details supplied...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (3 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department recently advertised for sites in the area in relation to the school in question and a number of applications were received. These are currently under consideration in my Department and due to the commercial sensitivity attached to site acquisitions, I cannot comment further at this stage. Upon acquisition of a suitable site, the proposed building project for the school will be...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (3 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware the Office of Public Works (OPW) had been requested to acquire a site for the school in question subject to planning permission. A site has been identified and my Department has recently assumed responsibility for the completion of the acquisition from the OPW. The acquisition is at contract stage and due to the commercial sensitivity attaching to site...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (3 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for capital funding for a large scale extension project. The application has been assessed in accordance with published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects and assigned a band 2 rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works,...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (3 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 to 240, inclusive, together. The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools and the Department does not seek to intervene in decisions made by schools in such matters. The Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (3 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The income limit to qualify for the full standard rate maintenance grant and payment of the student services charge where there are fewer than four dependent children was increased from €39,760 to €41,110 for the academic year 2009/2010. The income threshold for the Special Rate of maintenance grant was also increased in line with the relevant social welfare comparators from €20,147 to...

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (3 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware the student services charge is levied by third level institutions to defray the costs of examinations, registration and students services. The range of student services in question may include such facilities as on-campus medical and counselling facilities for students, access and disability services, careers office services, student facilities, student clubs and...

Written Answers — Inquiry into Child Abuse: Inquiry into Child Abuse (3 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Government's Implementation Plan in response to the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, which was published on 28th July 2009, set out the Government's commitment to erect a memorial to victims of abuse in institutions in line with the recommendations of the Commission's Report. I announced the membership of the committee that will oversee the erection of the memorial on...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (3 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The decision on eligibility for student grants is a matter for the relevant assessing authority - i.e. the Local Authority or VEC. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except, in exceptional cases, where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is required. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (3 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. A number of representations from members of the local community were received by my Department in the last few days. I met with a delegation in May 2009 regarding the school's building project. The delegation included members of the school's Board of Management, local political...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (3 Dec 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, for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. I have arranged for the details supplied...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (3 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. It is the responsibility of the managerial...