Results 1,561-1,580 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Initial work on establishing and assigning dedicated staff to a Developing Areas Unit began in the latter part of 2007 and it is now fully operational. In terms of its work programme for 2008, the Developing Areas Unit is advancing the delivery of 30 new primary schools which are planned to be in place for September 2008. These projects are being delivered in areas which have been...

Written Answers — School Placement: School Placement (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Developing Areas Unit of my Department is advancing the delivery of 30 new primary schools which are planned to be in place for September 2008. These projects are being delivered in areas which have been identified as areas of rapid population growth. To deliver its 2008 programme, the Developing Areas Unit has been working closely with relevant Local Authorities on the acquisition of...

Written Answers — School Placement: School Placement (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together. Enrolment decisions are the responsibility of the Board of Management of each individual school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment by schools. The compulsory school starting age in a National School is 6 years of age. Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246, 247, 249, 251, 252, 254, 255 and 258 together. I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of applications for large scale capital funding from the schools to which he refers. The projects have been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. Progress on the proposed works will be...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 253 together. I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of applications for large scale capital funding from the schools to which he refers. The projects have been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. Progress on the proposed works will be considered on an ongoing...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: In 2007 the school in question received approval to build additional classrooms under the devolved Permanent Accommodation Scheme (PAS). The purpose of the PAS is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake building works which will address the school's long term accommodation needs. Under the terms of the Scheme, school authorities are empowered to manage these works...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project at the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at stage 3 of the architectural planning process. The Client for this project is the School Board of Management. The stage 3 submission is currently being reviewed by the Client's design team in advance of being referred to my Department for approval.

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Officials from my Department are still awaiting a date for receipt of the Stage 3 submission (i.e. Developed Sketch Scheme) from the school's Design Team. On receipt of this date a review meeting will be organised between the Board of Management, its Design Team and the Department to assess the submission. Question No. 258 answered with Question No. 246.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 261 together. The projects at the schools referred to by the Deputy are at an advanced stage (Stage 2b — Detailed Design and Bill of Quantities) of the architectural planning process. As part of the Programme for Government, a Developing Areas Unit was set up recently in my Department to focus on the school accommodation needs of rapidly developing...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An application for large scale capital funding at the school in question has been received. The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, will be considered in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Programme for Government commits the provision of a dedicated fund of at least €100 million for investment in school sports facilities over five years from within the NDP allocation for school buildings. I assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to promoting exercise for our children and young people — both in their community and at school. Over €2.6 billion has been...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: In accordance with the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools, all second-level schools should provide Physical Education as part of the curriculum. The programme that each school plans and delivers should be based on my Department's approved syllabuses and the teaching hours should be registered in the school timetable. The syllabuses have been developed on the basis of a time...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware my Department is providing broadband connectivity to primary and post-primary schools under the Schools Broadband Access Programme, which is being supported by industry in the context of a Government — IBEC/TIF (Telecommunications and Internet Federation) Agreement. A competitive, technology neutral, central procurement process for the provision of local...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of applications for large scale capital funding from the schools to which he refers. The projects have been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. Progress on the proposed works will be considered on an ongoing basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Ministerial cars are driven by members of an Garda Síochána. Such vehicles are exempt from tolls under section 62 of the Roads Act 1993. Accordingly, no cost arises to the Exchequer.

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has not given authorisation to the school to move to a new site. However, my Department is examining options for the provision of permanent accommodation for the school referred to and in this regard the school authorities will be informed of any progress.

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: There is no record in my Department of an application for the replacement of temporary accommodation at the school in question. I have arranged for an official to contact the school authorities in the matter.

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: As part of my Department's recent interaction with the local government sector in relation to site acquisitions, my Department has asked Meath County Council to consider using its CPO powers for the acquisition of land required for the completion of an education campus at Laytown, Co. Meath. I am advised that a formal response to same is awaited. My Department in communications, in April...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Programme for Government sets out our commitment to implementing a comprehensive Schools ICT Strategy. This strategy will be underpinned by the investment of €252m in the National Development Plan 2007-2013. The Deputy will be aware that my predecessor appointed a Strategy Group to advise on the priorities for expenditure on ICT in Schools and it is my intention to publish the report...

Written Answers — Asbestos Remediation Programme: Asbestos Remediation Programme (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I have asked the School Building and Modernisation Unit of my Department to carry out an examination of the case referred to by the Deputy as a matter of urgency. As soon as this is completed the school will be informed of the position without delay.