Results 2,441-2,460 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Student Representation: Student Representation (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The commitment to appoint a second student representative to the Board of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) is considered when appointments are being made, having regard to the need to ensure an overall balance of stakeholder interests. The HEA engages extensively with student interests as an integral part of its ongoing work and the USI plays an active role in this process and continues...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has provided for a comprehensive system of continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers in the area of special educational needs. Central to this is the "Special Education Support Service" (SESS) which was established in September 2003. The service consolidates co-ordinates, develops and delivers a range of professional development initiatives and support structures...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I believe that the arts and physical education have an important role to play in the education of the individual. Music, the visual arts and drama provide for sensory, emotional, intellectual and creative enrichment and contribute to the young person's holistic development and self esteem. Physical Education plays an important role in promoting physical and motor development, promoting...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: It is open to providers of higher education to establish and provide certified programmes of education and training in the field of interpreting. For example, I am aware of a programme leading to a Graduate Certificate in Community Interpreting provided by Dublin City University. There are also many people in the interpreting industry who have certified qualifications from outside the...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The post primary school project referred to by the Deputy is included in the list of seven schools which I have approved for inclusion in the 3rd Bundle of schools to be procured via Public Private Partnership. This Bundle is in the pre procurement stage and my Department has completed a round of stakeholders' meetings in each of the locations where PPP schools are to be provided. A detailed...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The Planning and Building Unit of my Department has no record of an application for emergency funding from the school in question. Should an application be received it will be assessed and the school authorities notified of the outcome without delay. A proposed major capital project to refurbish and extend the school building is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. In light of...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to advise the Deputy that a single school is funded by my Department to provide education for pupils with a moderate, severe or profound general learning disability or pupils who have autism. Some of school's classes take place in a separate building, referred to by the Deputy, and this may have led some observers to think that these classes are a separate entity. This is not the...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The forward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. The school accommodation needs in north Dublin will be fully considered in this context. The progression of all...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: Since its establishment on 28 March 2006, the Teaching Council is the designated authority for the recognition of qualifications for teaching in the State. I have made enquiries with the Teaching Council regarding this case and have been advised that the Council has been in contact with the applicant on an ongoing basis and understands that a decision is required shortly and that once a...

Written Answers — Teachers' Remuneration: Teachers' Remuneration (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The case referred to by the Deputy is being examined by officials from my Department. I will arrange for the Deputy to be advised of the position as soon as possible.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy is of course aware of the Government decision to implement a recruitment and promotion moratorium in the public sector. In the VECs, positions other than teacher and SNA posts in schools, and teacher equivalents that are directly providing tuition to pupils in schools, in special programmes or in an adult and further education, are comprehended by this decision. In the case of...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The tender report for the proposed extension/refurbishment project at the school in question was received in my Department on 30th June. It is currently being assessed by the Professional and Technical Staff of the Building Unit. When this assessment is complete the project will be considered for the construction stage.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department recently sanctioned approval for Kildare VEC to purchase a site for the school in question. I am advised that negotiations are at an advanced stage. The Deputy will appreciate that given the commercial sensitivities in relation to the acquisition of sites generally, I am not in a position to comment any further at this time.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1217 and 1218 together. As the Deputy will be aware, in February, I announced details of 43 major building projects to proceed to tender and construction. The projects at the schools referred to by the Deputy were both included in this announcement. My Department is currently awaiting the submission of the Stage 2b documentation from the schools' Design...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The building project for the school to which the Deputy refers was included in my announcement on 12 February of 43 major building projects to proceed to tender and construction during 2009. The project is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning and the next step will be to submit an application for planning permission to the local authority. Until planning permission has...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (9 Jul 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 for an extension. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a 1.1 band rating. The project is ready for the appointment of a design team. The progression of all...

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

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

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers applied to my Department for large scale capital funding to provide for an 8 classroom extension to the existing school. More recently the school has sought a devolved grant to purchase a four classroom room modular build with the capacity to extend, in time, to eight classrooms. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I am arranging to have a copy of the legal indentures used by the Department forwarded to the Deputy.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has approved the project to which the Deputy refers to proceed to appointment of a design team. The Board of Management for the school is currently at the final stages of appointing a design team to commence architectural planning on this project. My Department recently requested further information on the proposed design team from the school. When this information is...