Results 2,921-2,940 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Oideachas Trí Gaeilge: Oideachas Trí Gaeilge (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Tógfaigh mé Ceisteanna 255 agus 256 le chéile. Faoi théarmaí Alt 6 den Acht Oideachais, 1998 tá oibleagáid shainiúil ar an earnáil oideachais cuidiú leis an nGaeilge a choinneáil mar phríomhtheanga an phobail i limistéir Ghaeltachta. Éilíonn an tAcht chomh maith go gcuirfí chun cinn riachtanais teanga agus chultúrtha mac léinn ag féachaint do roghanna a dtuismitheoirí....

Written Answers — Service for People with Disabilities: Service for People with Disabilities (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has accounts with three taxi companies. On average approximately 12% of the companies' fleets are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users. The amount spent on taxis by my Department in 2008 was €26,996.34. The amount spent to date in 2009 is €9,482.81. Taxis used by my Department's officials are strictly for business purposes and staff are required to...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Criteria for the 2009 maintenance grant schemes are under review at present. Decisions on the 2009 schemes will be announced as soon as the process is completed.

Written Answers — Inquiry into Child Abuse: Inquiry into Child Abuse (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to advise the Deputy that, as stated by me in this House on Friday last that under the Act, decisions on the Commission's records are a matter for the Commission. However, my Department has received assurances from the Commission that no action will be taken on these documents for some time. The Government supports the desirability of preserving, in so far as possible, these...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports including special needs assistants. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. All schools...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I understand that the Deputy's office has confirmed that his question refers to special need assistant support in the school. As you will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants to primary and post primary schools to...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: There are two circulars issued by my Department which provide for exemptions from the study of Irish as a subject for limited specific circumstances. As part of the primary school curriculum Irish is a compulsory subject. Department Circular 12/96 applies to primary schools funded by my Department and sets out the conditions under which exemption from the study of Irish may be granted...

Written Answers — Early Retirement Scheme: Early Retirement Scheme (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement for public servants over 50 years of age was announced in the Budget in April this year. It does not apply to teachers for 2 reasons. Firstly, primary and post-primary teachers are not subject to the recent moratorium on recruitment which applies to most other parts of the public service. Instead, the number of teacher and Special Needs...

Written Answers — Institutes of Technology: Institutes of Technology (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The position is that applications have been received from three higher education institutions for designation as Universities; Waterford Institute of Technology, Dublin Institute of Technology and Cork Institute of Technology. The issue of university designation does not just affect the institutions and the regions from which applications have been received; it also impacts on the future...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, following a review of the tender report, it is expected that a Design and Build contract will be placed by County Dublin Vocational Education Committee, as patron of the school in question, with the preferred bidder in the near future.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy may be aware, I announced last February that the school in question was to progress to architectural planning. Officials from my Department will be touch with the patron of the school shortly, in relation to progression of the project.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy may be aware, I announced last February that the school in question was to progress to architectural planning for the provision of a new permanent school building. Officials from my Department will be touch with the school authority shortly, in relation to progression of the project.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy may be aware, I announced last February that the school in question was to progress to architectural planning for the provision of a new permanent school building. Officials from my Department will be touch with the school authority shortly, in relation to progression of the project.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports including special needs assistants. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. All schools...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers applied to my Department for large scale capital funding in August 2008. This application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and has been assigned a Band 2 rating. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has considered the additional information submitted by the school in question in support of its request to retain the special class for mild general learning disability. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department has permitted the school to retain the special class for the 2009/2010 school year.

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As I indicated previously I have introduced a new €20 million scheme to improve roof and cavity wall insulation levels in school buildings across the country. The devolved energy efficiency scheme, which is being implemented with the help of Sustainable Energy Ireland, allows schools to apply for funding on a once-off basis to upgrade the fabric insulation in attics and the external cavity...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that an application from the school in question for heating works has been approved by my Department and the school management has been informed of the decision.

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The application for Summer Works Scheme funding from the school to which the Deputy refers was not successful because the works were deemed by my Department not to be absolutely necessary at this point in time. The school may appeal this decision if it wishes. Alternatively, it is open to the school authority to use its annual Minor Works Grant to carry out the works, provided this funding...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports including the approval of special classes for autism. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support....