Results 2,401-2,420 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The particular Programme for Government commitment referred to by the Deputy would require additional teaching posts in second level schools and therefore cannot be considered until the public finances are stabilised, economic recovery is underway and tax revenues improve.

Written Answers — Teaching Qualifications: Teaching Qualifications (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy may be aware that the Teaching Council has a statutory role in relation to the review of standards required for entry into the teaching profession, including the standards of knowledge, skill and competence required for the practice of teaching. In the context of Section 38 of the Teaching Council Act, the Teaching Council has begun work on the development of its strategy for the...

Written Answers — Capitation Grants: Capitation Grants (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: This Government's continued prioritisation of education is evidenced from our investment in 2009 of €9.6 billion – over treble what it was in 1997. The increase of €302m in the Education budget for 2009 is therefore a real achievement in the current economic climate. Education is one of only three Government Departments to have increased funding in 2009. The budget for education is...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The funding arrangements made by my Department for second-level schools reflect the sectoral division of our second-level system. At the core of all arrangements is reliance upon capitation as the principal determinant of funding. My Department provides funding to secondary schools by way of per capita grants, which affords schools considerable flexibility in the use of these resources to...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am very much aware of the cost pressures on schools, including those arising from waste charges and the changes in relation to water charges. With regard to waste charges, there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to examine the feasibility of introducing waste allowances for schools. The progression of this commitment is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware the Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish a Developing Areas Unit to liaise with local authorities, identify where new schools are needed and ensure that they are delivered in the fastest possible timeframe. This Unit was established early in 2008. This fast-track approach to the provision of school buildings delivered 26 major building...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Programme for Government sets out a number of measures in relation to school provision including improving arrangements for the planning of new schools. A Code of Practice in relation to "The Provision of Schools and the Planning System", which was published in July 2008 sets out the best practice approaches that should be followed by planning authorities and by my Department in...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Professional and Technical staff in my Department continuously review and update the design of school buildings. A suite of technical guidance documents is available on my Department's website to assist external design teams in best practice in the design and development of projects and to encourage a complete design team approach from project conception to completion. My Department...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is at the forefront of design with respect to energy efficiency in school buildings and this performance has been recognised at both national and international level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in Design and Specification. The Department's Technical Guidance Documents which set the benchmark for low energy design in schools are clearly focused on energy...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The primary responsibility of my Department in this area is the provision of school facilities for the effective delivery of the primary and post-primary curricula. In addition, school authorities have a considerable degree of autonomy in relation to how their premises are managed and utilised at local level. However, the Government recognises that there is a lack of recreational facilities...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy is aware, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to abolish the local contribution towards the costs of school building projects and the rental of school accommodation. This matter is currently under consideration within my Department.

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: In November 2006 the funding for the minor works grant was increased by 44% on the previous year. Around €27m was paid out that year and a similar amount for the 2007/8 and 2008/9 school years to primary schools throughout the country to enable thousands of small scale works to be completed without the need to interact with my Department. Individual primary schools received a grant in...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: All buildings constructed on land in the ownership of the State remain in the ownership of the Minister or a Vocational Education Committee as appropriate.

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: All Programme for Government commitments to improve public services are contingent on the economic and budgetary environment and the need for prudent expenditure and fiscal management. The commitment in relation to increasing the number of release days for teaching principals and expanding the pilot scheme of substitute cover for principals release days can only be looked at and considered...

Written Answers — In-service Training: In-service Training (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Since 2003 the Leadership Development for Schools Programme (LDS) has expanded the range of supports and services that it offers to school leaders and over 9000 teachers from principals to middle managers have successfully completed LDS module programmes such as Misneach, Spreagagh, Forbairt, Tánáiste, Cumasú and Cothú. This investment has now led us to a point where there are structured...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: This is one of a number of commitments which are being advanced under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council, which is the agreed forum for dealing with the pay and conditions of service of Teachers. The Parties to the forum include representatives of the managerial authorities of schools, the teacher unions and the Departments of Education & Science and Finance. The purpose is to...

Written Answers — Information and Communications Technology: Information and Communications Technology (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department continues to seek to reduce the administrative overhead for schools through the use of information technology most notably in providing on-line facilities to streamline the collection of data and reduce the number of manual tasks. The esinet portal through which these on-line services are delivered already provides an On-Line Claims System (OLCS) which allows each primary school...

Written Answers — In-service Training: In-service Training (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Intensive training for boards of management at both primary and post primary level has been taking place since 2007. The essential core areas that are covered in the training are Financial Management, Child Protection Guidelines, Health & Safety, Employment Law and Human Resource Management. Other areas that are covered in training include Background Information re: the Education System,...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1171 and 1173 together. The Government is committed to promoting appropriate levels of exercise for our children and young people – both in their communities and at school. In a new school building or refurbishment/extension, PE facilities are included as an intrinsic part of the design. A special PE funding package of €6.5 million issued in 2006 to...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (9 Jul 2009)

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 allocation...