Results 2,281-2,300 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Schools Recognition: Schools Recognition (24 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129, 139 and 144 together. My Department is currently considering a number of broad policy issues relating to the recognition process for second level schools. The application from Educate Together to be recognised as a patron body at second level will be fully examined within the context of legal, financial and other factors that I must consider.

Written Answers — School Evaluations: School Evaluations (24 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: In the 2004–2008 period, whole-school evaluations were conducted in 933 primary schools as follows: 2004 – 53 WSE 2005 – 163 WSE 2006 – 228 WSE 2007 – 244 WSE 2008 – 245 WSE In the 2004–2008 period, whole-school evaluations were conducted in 241 post-primary schools as follows: 2004 – 12 WSE 2005 – 53 WSE 2006 – 57 WSE 2007 – 59 WSE 2008 – 60 WSE In the 2004–2008...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (24 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Whole-school evaluations (WSE) and subject inspections form just part of the Inspectorate's business plan in any given year. It should be noted that subject inspections are conducted in post-primary schools only. Inspectors are involved in a wide range of other work such as programme evaluations, the preparation of composite and thematic evaluation reports on aspects of educational provision...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Whole-school evaluation (WSE) is a model of external evaluation for primary and post-primary schools that was formally introduced during the school year 2003/2004. The number of inspectors employed within the Inspectorate of the Department of Education and Science on the 31 December for each of the past five years since the introduction of whole-school evaluation is shown below. The current...

Written Answers — School Evaluations: School Evaluations (24 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: To facilitate self-evaluation as a central component of the continuous planning process the Inspectorate of my Department in 2003 published "Looking at Our School: An Aid to Self-Evaluation in Second-Level Schools" and "Looking at Our School: An Aid to Self-Evaluation in Primary Schools". These publications provide schools with a clear framework to inform internal quality assurance...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Until 31st August this year, a grant system operated which allowed the managerial authorities of primary schools to claim from my Department the funding required to pay part-time teachers employed in their schools. The teachers were paid by the managerial authorities. With effect from the 1st September this year, part-time resource, learning support and language support teachers are being...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: A major capital project at the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. Information in respect of the current school building programme, including the project referred to by the Deputy, is now available on my Departments website at www.education.ie. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned an appropriate band rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned an appropriate band rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (24 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: A major capital project at the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. Information in respect of the current school building programme, including the project referred to by the Deputy, is now available on my Departments website at www.education.ie. Stage 2b documentation was very recently received by my Department and is currently under...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is being delivered under a "design and build" model and has been tendered. The award process has commenced. It is anticipated that the Letter of Acceptance (i.e. the award of the contract) will be issued in the coming days and that planning permission will be lodged in October. Until the award process is finalised and subsequent statutory approvals are...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (24 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The statutory framework for the maintenance grants scheme, as set out in the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992, provides for means-tested higher education grants in order to assist students to attend full-time third level education. The position is that the Third Level Student Support Schemes operated under my Department do not extend to postgraduate study...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (24 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 to 147, inclusive, together. It is currently anticipated that there will be a saving of at least €14m in expenditure on rental temporary accommodation in 2009, compared to 2008. This clearly demonstrates the efforts being made by my Department to reduce spending in this area. The saving arises from a combination of the reduction in the number of new...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (24 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The development of a database for learners at all levels of education remains an important goal for my Department. It has not been possible to progress the development of the Learner Databases for students at Primary or Further Education levels at this time due to funding and staffing constraints. However, in recent years there have been a number of improvements to the Post-Primary Pupil...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (24 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is my intention that funding for the purchase of information technology will be provided to schools in respect of permanent mainstream classrooms completed under devolved schemes in 2008 and to-date in 2009. I anticipate that the funding in respect of eligible projects will issue to schools next month.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (23 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 175, 177 and 179 together. When I announced details of the student maintenance grant schemes for the 2009/2010 academic year I also gave notice that, with effect from the start of the 2010/11 academic year, further changes will be introduced. These include: Some social welfare allowances, including the Back to Education Allowance which had been excluded in...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (23 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware that a number of amendments to the Student Support Bill in relation to legal and policy issues which have arisen since Second Stage are being advanced by my Department in close consultation with the Office of the Attorney General. The Bill makes provision for the transfer of responsibility for student grants to the VEC sector. In the existing budgetary situation,...

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (23 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: In relation to the issue of the introduction of a form of student contribution, the Deputy will be aware that I recently presented a technical report to my Cabinet colleagues. This report sets out the various options available which looks at available models and draws on experience with other systems that operate internationally. The report is intended to allow for an informed examination...

Written Answers — Scéimeanna Tógála Scoile: Scéimeanna Tógála Scoile (23 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Tá tionscadal mór tógála ag an scoil dá dtagraíonn an Teachta ag ardchéim pleanála ailtireachta faoi láthair. Tá eolas i dtaobh an chláir reatha tógála scoile, an tionscadal dá dtagraíonn an Teachta ina measc, le fáil anois ar shuíomh gréasáin mo Roinne ag www.education.ie. Braitheann cur chun cinn gach uile tionscadal tógála ar scála mór, an ceann seo san áireamh,...

Written Answers — Student Support Schemes: Student Support Schemes (23 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Support for full-time students with disabilities in third level institutions, including personal assistants, is provided under the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD), which is one of a number of funding programmes which come under the Third Level Access Measure. There has been no cut in the budget for the FSD. A gross allocation of €12.5m has been set aside by the Higher Education...