Results 8,041-8,060 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — School Placement: School Placement (11 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together. 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...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (11 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The current position with regard to the 78 projects I announced is as follows: 11 projects have been completed and handed over to the school authorities 25 projects are currently under construction 30 projects are at tender stage 12 projects are at pre-tender stage. I expect the 30 projects currently at tender stage to progress to construction in 2010. The 12 projects currently at pre-tender...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (11 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Due to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to give details of the case referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (11 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Due to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to give full details of the school referred to by the Deputy. However, I can confirm to the Deputy that schools seeking approval to acquire additional temporary accommodation can apply to my Department on the appropriate form. Such applications are then processed in the...

Written Answers — School Services Staff: School Services Staff (23 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: In the context of the Towards 2016 Review and Transitional Agreement in 2008, it was agreed that the relevant parties would enter into discussions regarding the terms and conditions, including remuneration, of both school secretaries and caretakers. Following ratification of the Transitional Agreement by the Unions in November 2008, a forum was set up in December 2008 under whose auspices...

Written Answers — School Management: School Management (23 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: When the moratorium was introduced the Government exempted Principal and Deputy Principal appointments in all primary and post-primary schools and these continue to be replaced in the normal manner. The impact of the moratorium is therefore limited to the Assistant Principal and Special Duties allowances payable to teachers on promotion. Unlike other areas of the public service retirement...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (23 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The pension schemes of both organisations where the person was employed are covered by the Public Sector Transfer Network and I understand that the Department of Finance has confirmed that, subject to establishing the exact amount, the service may be transferred for superannuation purposes. It is a matter in the first instance for the organisations involve to finalise the transfer. Due to...

Written Answers — Mitchell Scholarships: Mitchell Scholarships (23 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Due to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to give the full details sought by the Deputy.

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (23 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The devolved scheme for the provision of additional classrooms allows those schools with an urgent and pressing need for additional accommodation which is likely to last for more than 3 years, and who are being given approval for grant aid, to avail of the option of using their grants either to purchase prefabs or to construct permanent classrooms for the same amount. Funding is approved on...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (23 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is open to any school needing extra classrooms to apply for devolved funding to meet their needs. Generally, where a need for extra accommodation has been demonstrated and that need is likely to be for three years or less, approval will be given to rent the accommodation. Where the need for the accommodation is likely to exceed three years in duration, the Department will devolve...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (23 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Due to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to give full details of the project for the school referred to by the Deputy. The progression of all large scale building projects, including the project for the school in question, from initial design stage through to construction will be considered in the context of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Property: Departmental Property (23 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The renting of office property is the responsibility of the Property Management Services, Office of Public Works, which acts as an agent for all Government Departments. The terms of the leases are a matter for the OPW.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (23 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Due to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to give the details sought by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (23 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Due to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to provide the information on the case as requested by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (23 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Rainwater harvesting systems were first introduced for major building projects in 2008. Since then all major building projects, where site conditions and circumstances allow and where economically viable to do so, can incorporate a rainwater harvesting system into their brief.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (23 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Due to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to address details of the case referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (23 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The person in question retains no entitlement to an occupational pension in respect of his service as a secondary school teacher. The person left teaching at the end of July 1976 before reaching pension age. Subsequent to his leaving, preservation of pension benefits was introduced for teachers. Under this provision a person leaving service on or after 30 June 1977 but before pension age,...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (23 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: A significant number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act have already 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 educational needs. Specifically, the following sections have been commenced - 1, 2, 14(1)(a),...

Written Answers — Schools Recognition: Schools Recognition (23 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of carrying out detailed analysis of over 40 locations of highest population growth in order to identify the school accommodation requirements up to and including the school year 2014/2015. When the required reports have been completed for these initial areas selected the Forward Planning Section will continue to work on...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (23 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The arrangements for vetting of teaching and non-teaching staff are set out in Department Circular 0094/2006 which issued to all schools in June 2006. The Circular is available on my Department's website. Due to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to give the full details sought by the Deputy.