Results 1,721-1,740 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Schools Building Projects. (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: This is why my Department consulted the education partners with regard to prioritisation criteria for the allocation of large scale capital funding and why these criteria are published. They are clear and unambiguous and they bring an openness and transparency as to how projects are selected for inclusion in the school building and modernisation programme. Not alone has their introduction...

Schools Building Projects. (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: ——the teachers and everybody involved to give me an opportunity to carry out that review to ensure that I do not make any promises that I cannot fulfill and for which the proper funding is not in place to ensure that the project can be completed. As soon as my review is finished, Kilfinane will certainly continue to be a priority for me.

Schools Building Projects. (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: They are a priority but I cannot and will not spend money when I am not aware of what I have. I gave that commitment to the parents of Kilfinane. I ask the Deputies to allow me the opportunity to go through my envelope for 2008 and if I can accommodate Kilfinane at the end of that review I will certainly do it and it remains a priority for me.

Special Areas of Conservation. (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, is unavailable and conveys apologies for his absence as he has another engagement. I welcome the opportunity to address the issue of the use of off-road vehicles in upland areas. This is an issue of concern because of the damage that such vehicles can cause to...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Office of Public Works (OPW) which acts on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally has been requested to source a suitable site for the school in question. The OPW identified a site and my Department instructed the OPW to open negotiations on this site. The acquisition of this site was almost complete however, the OPW advised my Department that the Vendor could...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Schools have flexibility in the way in which they assign pupils and teachers to classes and the Department does not allocate teachers to specific classes or age groups. The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware, the Chief State Solicitor's Office were instructed to draft a deed of partial surrender for a portion of land on the grounds of the school referred to. I am advised that the Deed of Partial Surrender has been signed, sealed and forwarded by the Chief State Solicitors Office to the school's solicitors for their attention.

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Over the seven years of the National Development Plan (NDP) €13 billion will be invested under the Human Capital Priority to develop the capacity of the higher education sector to meet a number of key national objectives, including that of increasing the numbers of students participating in the sector. The focus will continue from the previous NDP on measures targeting the increased...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 309 and 325 together. The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is issued to all primary schools each year. Data submitted to my Department by the Board...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30th September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is issued to all primary schools each year. Data submitted to the Department by the Board of Management of the school referred to by the...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30th September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is issued to all primary schools each year. Data submitted to the Department by the Boards of Management of the schools in question indicate...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department received an application for Emergency Funding for roof works from the school in question. Emergency works grants are made available to schools most in need of resources as a result of unforeseen emergencies of a capital nature that may arise during the school year. Following assessment of the application from this school and in light of the large number of projects seeking...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department recently approved grant-aid for furniture for the school in question.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware of the Government's commitment to ensuring that all children with special educational needs, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. This facilitates access to individualised education programmes, fully qualified professional teachers,...

Written Answers — Teacher Training: Teacher Training (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The SESS provides a dedicated support team of expert teachers delivering a range of supports to schools through seminar delivery and individual school visits. In 2007, 5521 training places were funded by the SESS to enable teachers access a range of autism training. This training encompassed a variety of interventions and courses in the area of Autism including inter alia: Applied Behaviour...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: 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. Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An application for capital funding towards the provision of an extension has been received from the school authority referred to by the Deputy. An assessment of projected enrolment trends, demographic trends and housing developments in the area will be required in order to determine the long term projected enrolment figure on which the school's accommodation needs will be based. Once the...

Written Answers — School Funding: School Funding (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am aware of the funding pressures on schools generally including also those in relation to the setting up of new schools. It is a key priority for Government to improve funding for the day-to-day running costs of schools to help address these funding pressures. Specific commitments in relation to improving school funding form a central part of the education provisions of the Programme for...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30th September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is issued to all primary schools each year. Posts allocated on the basis of this staffing schedule are specifically for mainstream classes...