Results 7,741-7,760 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (4 Feb 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware that in November last year I published the 'Smart Schools = Smart Economy' report, which is the new action plan for integrating ICT in schools. The Report, which was produced by the Joint Advisory Group, which I established earlier last year, builds on the earlier Strategy Group report, 'Investing Effectively in ICT in Schools'. As a first step in implementing the...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (4 Feb 2010)

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 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...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (4 Feb 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The provision of a new building for the school to which the Deputy refers necessitates the acquisition of a site. The progression of a building project for the school from site acquisition through to initial design and construction 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...

Written Answers — Vocational Education Committees: Vocational Education Committees (4 Feb 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: A new patronage model, under the aegis of County Dublin VEC is currently being piloted in two national schools - Scoil Choilim, Porterstown, County Dublin and Scoil Ghrainne, Phibblestown, Co. Dublin. Legislation which will allow vocational education committees to become involved in the provision of primary education is currently being drafted and it is expected that a Bill will be published...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (4 Feb 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm that an application under the Summer Works Scheme 2010 has been received from the School to which the Deputy refers. 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. The timetable for the Summer Works Scheme 2010 has been...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (4 Feb 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme is a mandatory part of the curriculum in primary schools and in junior cycle since 2003 and is designed to promote positive mental health. It is supported by comprehensive teacher guidelines and curriculum support services which provide training and advice for schools and a resource directory. Its aim is to foster personal development,...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (4 Feb 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to advise the Deputy that the policy underpinning the allocation of resource teacher and/or special needs assistant (SNA) posts has not been changed. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) will continue to allocate additional teacher/SNA posts to schools in line with my Department's policy criteria. The Deputy will be aware that the NCSE, through its network of Special...

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (9 Feb 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Question 220: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will assist in having a medical card approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork on medical grounds. [6082/10]

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (9 Feb 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Question 266: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [6708/10]

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (9 Feb 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Question 268: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an appeal lodged in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [6743/10]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (9 Feb 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Question 408: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will issue a companion travel pass to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [6057/10]

Written Answers — Educational Projects: Educational Projects (9 Feb 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 648 and 649 together. My Department provides funding for thirty eight projects in Local Drugs Task Force areas, including the project specifically referred to by Deputy Flanagan. Allocations for this project over the past five years, and for 2010, are as follows: 2005 – €175,662 2006 – €231,622 2007 – €200,000 2008 – €206,000 2009 –...

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (9 Feb 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: There are currently some 21,000 part-time undergraduate students enrolled in the university and institute of technology sectors. It is not known how many of these students would qualify under any extension of the Free Fees Initiative as this would be determined by the eligibility criteria that would apply to such a scheme, including for example, residency, nationality, previous higher...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (9 Feb 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to the Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) pilot scheme funded by my Department which funds 13 stand-alone autism centres. The scheme was set up in the absence of the current national network of autism-specific special classes in our schools. The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children including those with autism can have...

Written Answers — Educational Projects: Educational Projects (9 Feb 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 652 and 698 together. My Department provides funding for thirty eight projects in Local Drugs Task Force areas, including the project specifically referred to by Deputy Bruton. These projects, through a variety of programmes and activities, seek, in the main, to encourage young people not to engage in drug-taking. My Department originally took on...

Written Answers — Public Sector Pay: Public Sector Pay (9 Feb 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: For the purposes of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009, Universities are public service bodies. A public servant is defined in the Act as a person who is employed by, or holds any office or other position in, a public service body. Consequently, employees of Universities are comprehended by the Act. Remuneration payable by or on behalf of a public service...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Feb 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an early stage of architectural planning. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction is dependent on the prioritisation of competing demands on the funding available under the Department's capital budget. The proposed building project...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (9 Feb 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 655 and 701 together. I presume the Deputy is referring to the premises where Greendale Community school was located prior to its closure in 2007. The City of Dublin VEC, is charged by my Department on a caretaker basis with regularising the status and implementation of any arrangements for the use of the premises. It is therefore more appropriate that the...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (9 Feb 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 656 and 711 together. The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is at present carrying out a review of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations in all schools with a view to ensuring that the criteria governing the allocation of such posts, as outlined...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Feb 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: As part of the expansion of the Permanent Accommodation Scheme 2007, a grant was allocated to St Brigid's National School to enable the management authority to provide 3 additional mainstream classrooms. I understand that some difficulties arose between the school and the design team/contractor. However, as this is a devolved project it is a matter for the school authority.