Results 1,841-1,860 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (17 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The development of a building project for the school in question is at an early stage and involves the long term projected staffing assessment. 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 Building and...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (17 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. 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 Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (17 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction 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...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (17 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be required at primary and post-primary level for 2009 and onwards. Factors under consideration include population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and capacity of existing schools to meet...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (17 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which he refers has applied for large scale capital funding for the provision of additional accommodation. 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...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (17 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is currently working on compiling a database which will provide information regarding temporary accommodation at schools. Work on this database is under way as part of a general review of rental policy being undertaken. Information will be collated on approximately 900 schools which have received approval from the Department to rent temporary accommodation, including but not...

Written Answers — Higher Education: Higher Education (17 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department offers 50 Third Level Scholarships annually for students from all-Irish schools under three scholarship schemes as follows: Scéim Scoláireachtaí Triú Leibhéal do Mhic Léinn Ón nGaeltacht Scéim Scoláireachtaí Triú Leibhéal (Trí Ghaeilge Teoranta) Scéim Scoláireachtaí Ghaeilge Triú Leibhéil (Neamh-Theoranta) These scholarships are awarded to those students who...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (17 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Since the Summer Works Scheme was introduced in 2004, over 3,000 projects costing in excess of €300 million have been completed. With so many smaller projects having been completed over the past few years, the particular emphasis in 2008 is on providing sufficient school places in developing areas, while also showing the Government's commitment to delivering improvements in the quality of...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (17 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 674 and 675 together. Provisional recognition was granted to the schools referred to by the Deputy by my predecessor, Minister Hanafin in April 2008. It is the intention of my Department to provide accommodation for both the schools referred to at a site in Blacklion, Greystones, for September 2008. In this respect both schools will be kept informed of the...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (17 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 676 to 678, inclusive, together. I want to assure the Deputy that my Department is aware of the situation in the school to which she refers and is working to achieve a satisfactory solution as soon as possible. The school is currently occupying rented accommodation and the rent is now subject to review. However, the proposed increased rent is not considered...

Written Answers — Education Centre Network: Education Centre Network (17 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The full time Education Centre based in Donegal Town has been allocated an amount of €151,812 for 2008. In addition to this the part time Education Centre based in Gortahork has been allocated an amount of €8,889 for 2008. The allocation for the part time centre is administered through Donegal Education Centre and is kept separate from the allocation for the full time centre. Following...

Written Answers — Site Works: Site Works (17 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The invoices received in my Department in relation to the installation and site works for portocabins at this school have been paid. There are outstanding invoices, in relation to the ESB connection and in relation to a small amount for additional works, which have not been received to date in my Department. An official of my Department has made contact with the school authority requesting...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (17 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 681 and 685 together. I am aware of the school in question and have discussed this matter with the Deputy and other local representatives. I am also aware that the school serves two RAPID areas. The school originally applied to my Department for capital funding for a PE Hall. It subsequently submitted a revised application to include additional classroom...

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (17 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is understood that the question refers to 2 Primary schools and 1 Post Primary school. In the region of €800 million will be spent by my Department this year on tackling educational disadvantage at all levels — from pre-school to further and higher education. This represents an increase of nearly €70 million on the comparable 2007 figure and is testament to the Government's...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (17 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The timeframe for the appointment of a conservation architect on a project can vary according to the complexity of the project in question, the information available to the Department and the school and the likely timeframe for the advancement of the project. My Department attempts to ensure that, where required, a conservation architect, along with all other consultants necessary for a...

Written Answers — Student Representation: Student Representation (17 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The commitment under the Programme for Government to appoint a further student representative to the HEA can be accommodated under existing legislation and will be considered when future vacancies arise. The HEA engages extensively with student interests as an integral part of its work. The USI plays an active role in this process and continues to ably represent its constituency. The...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (17 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 686, 687, 723 and 724 together. The information requested by the Deputy in relation to individual schools is not readily available and would involve an inordinate amount of administrative time to compile. However, my Department publishes annually statistical data at national level in relation to primary schools. The data is not disaggregated by school or any...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (17 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Approval of the Developed Sketch Scheme issued to the design team on the project in question on 23rd April 2008. The next stage, (Detailed Design), is due to be submitted to my Department in August of this year. The progression of this and all large capital building projects in my Department will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (17 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Officials in my Department have been in discussion with County Kilkenny VEC in relation to the schools within its remit in recent times. The V.E.C. has indicated the desirability of a new school building for the school in question in this forum. It has been explained to the V.E.C. that my Department is looking at the totality of educational provision in Kilkenny City particularly in the...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (17 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Over 75% of pupils are in classes of less than 30 pupils. Preliminary indications from my Department's analysis of statistical returns from schools for the current school year appear to indicate that there has been a drop in the numbers of pupils in classes of over 30 pupils. The analysis of all the returns from schools has yet to be completed and the final outcome will be published later...