Results 1,381-1,400 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — In-service Training: In-service Training (14 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Drama Curriculum contains a focus on An Ghaeilge agus Drámaíocht. It advocates the use of drama in Irish and asserts that 'the greatest benefit of drama in Irish is that it can bring fluency in the language'. The curriculum also alludes to the use of drama by the teacher 'in order to prompt and extend the use of Irish'. The curriculum supports the integration of Irish and drama and...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (14 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: In relation to teaching methods my Department, through Teacher Education Section, has a wide number of initiatives in place to further develop the teachers' competency in teaching Irish. At primary level the "Tús Maith" programme is a targeted initiative designed to support the teaching of Irish. There are currently thirty — one cuiditheoirí on the team of trainers. The purposes of the...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (14 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: A tender report for the project referred to by the Deputy is currently under examination by my Department. The contract for the project has not yet been awarded. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (14 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school referred to by the Deputy did not receive direct ICT funding in 2007. The school did however receive the annual Minor Works Grant which allows schools, inter alia, to purchase IT related equipment without referring back to my Department. Over €27m was paid out to primary schools throughout the country in 2007 to enable thousands of small scale works to be completed without the...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (14 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: A grant was sanctioned in March 2007 to enable the management authority of the school in question to provide additional accommodation. The scheme is not intended to leave schools with significant fundraising needs; rather the terms of the Scheme require the schools to tailor the scope of capital works commissioned to the available funding. The decision on whether to continue participating in...

Written Answers — Education Welfare Service: Education Welfare Service (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) as the national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the Board are to ensure that each child attends a recognised school...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An application from the school referred to by the Deputy for a large scale building project has been assessed in accordance with my Department's published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects. Following on from a technical visit by officials of my Department the Patron has confirmed the availability of additional lands for a new school building. Further progression of this...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The information requested by the Deputy is currently being compiled and will be sent to him shortly.

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: A grant was sanctioned in March 2006 to enable the management authority of the school in question to extend and modernise their school. The scheme allows Boards of Management to address their accommodation and building priorities with a guaranteed amount of funding and gives them control of the building project. The Board of Management submitted an appeal for additional funding to cover...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The proposed project for the schools in question is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The further progression of the project will be considered on an ongoing basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Written Answers — School Planning Provision: School Planning Provision (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The position generally is that decisions in relation to the future of a school are in the first instance a matter for the Patron and Trustees of the school concerned. The long-term future of the school in question will be dependent on its enrolment trends and the demographics and overall school planning provision in the area. My Department will continue to keep an overview of trends in the area.

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I regret that it was not possible to fully collate the information which the Deputy has requested in the time available. I will respond directly to the Deputy as soon as the information is ready.

Written Answers — Vocational Education Committees: Vocational Education Committees (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school referred to by the Deputy is one of 27 new schools to be provided under my Departments PPP Programme. The First Bundle consisting of four post-primary schools — two in Co. Laois and two in Co. Offaly — are in procurement and are likely, subject to the successful completion of the Local Authority Planning process, to go to construction this year. The Second Bundle, consisting...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which he refers have applied for large scale capital funding. The applications have been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. Progress on individual projects will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. It is not possible at...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The information requested by the Deputy is currently being compiled and will be sent to him shortly.

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The information requested by the Deputy is currently being compiled and will be sent to him shortly.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: 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. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware that a suitable site has been identified for the school in question. The site comprises of three plots of land with three separate vendors. My Department is continuing to progress any outstanding issues in consultation with the CSSO.

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The following firms of solicitors have been engaged to provide legal services: 1. J.D Scanlon & Company solicitors, The Bridge Centre, O'Connor Square, Tullamore. Engaged in April 2007 to assist in the purchase of a site for Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa, Laytown, Bettystown, Co. Meath. Fees of €12,348.28 (subject to with-holding tax) paid in May 2007. Following a tendering process, this firm...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I understand that the Deputy is referring to applications submitted for the 2008 Summer Works Scheme. The applications submitted range from relatively minor upgrades to substantial infrastructural works. Examples include roof works, window replacement, paths/kerbstones/fencing replacement, boiler replacement and toilet refurbishment. The number of applications made by primary and post...