Results 4,381-4,400 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Child Protection: Child Protection (10 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The DES Child Protection Guidelines are an adaptation of the Department of Health and Children/Health Service Executive "Children First" guidelines. They set out the responsibilities and requirements for teachers in the event of a disclosure in the classroom. The data sets out the provision since January 2008 when the latest round of training began for primary schools on the Child...

Written Answers — School Inspections: School Inspections (10 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: In the 2004-2008 period, whole-school evaluations were conducted in 933 primary schools as follows: Year Number 2004 53 WSE 2005 163 WSE 2006 228 WSE 2007 244 WSE 2008 245 WSE In the 2004–2008 period, subject inspections (post-primary) were conducted as follows: Year Number 2004 431 subject inspections 2005 676 subject inspections 2006 730 subject inspections 2007 758...

Written Answers — School Inspections: School Inspections (10 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to inform the Deputy that information in relation to overall inspectorate costs is currently being compiled and will be incorporated in a reply to the Deputy shortly.

Written Answers — School Inspections: School Inspections (10 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I take the Deputy's reference to accommodation and other expenses as being the travel and subsistence costs incurred by inspectors while carrying out whole-school evaluations and subject inspections. The travel and subsistence costs associated with conducting whole-school evaluations and subject inspections are not recorded separately from the total travel and subsistence costs...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (10 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The proposed building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is at an early 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 in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (10 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The selection and enrolment of pupils in schools is the responsibility of the authorities of the individual school. Under section 15 (2) (d) of the Education Act 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that as regards that policy that principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents choice are...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (10 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Work on implementing the recommendations outlined in the report by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) on the Future Requirement for High-level ICT Skills in the ICT Sector is ongoing. The Higher Education Authority (HEA) is funding a number of awareness initiatives to promote ICT courses to prospective students and the HEA continues to provide funding to third level...

Written Answers — Capitation Grants: Capitation Grants (10 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Funding in respect of the provision of facilities at the school in question was approved in August of last year. In the event of the receipt of a request for additional grant aid for the project from the school authority, this will be assessed. However, it should be noted that a central tenet of the grant scheme is that the school, granted discretion and funding, must equally accept...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (10 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The position remains as I outlined for the Deputy on 27 January last. The SENO is awaiting further information from the school in support of the application and as soon as this is received, the application will receive further consideration.

Written Answers — School Inspections: School Inspections (10 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to inform the Deputy that information in relation to overall inspectorate costs is currently being compiled and will be incorporated in a reply to the Deputy shortly.

Written Answers — School Inspections: School Inspections (10 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to inform the Deputy that information in relation to overall inspectorate costs is currently being compiled and will be incorporated in a reply to the Deputy shortly.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (10 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The capital allocation of €581m for the School Building and Modernisation Programme was increased last week by an extra €75 million. The allocation of this funding within the School Building and Modernisation Programme to address the many demands on the capital budget of my Department is currently being considered.

Written Answers — Psychological Service: Psychological Service (10 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware that all primary and post primary schools have access to psychological assessments either directly through my Department's National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) or through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) which is administered by NEPS. I can inform the Deputy that NEPS maintains the SCPA panel of eligible practitioners under...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (10 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 621 and 622 together. I intend to have a Summer Works Scheme this year. The details of the operation of the scheme and the level of funding to be made available under the scheme in 2009 are currently being considered. The Professional and Technical Reports provided by schools for 2008 can be used again for future projects so that schools will not be at the...

Written Answers — School Management: School Management (10 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am not aware of the specific case referred to by the Deputy. Under the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management has responsibility for the day-to-day management of the school. Issues in relation to the supervision of pupils are therefore matters for each Board of Management. While my Department does not issue specific guidelines on requirements for supervision of pupils, it...

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (10 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The progression route at postgraduate level, for grant purposes, is as follows: Higher Diploma/Postgraduate Diploma, Masters, PhD/Doctorate. The Higher Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma qualifications are considered to be at the same level for grants purposes. A candidate who already holds a Higher Diploma/Postgraduate Diploma is only eligible for grant aid under the student maintenance grant...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (10 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Third Level Maintenance Grant Schemes, are administered by the Local Authorities and Vocational Education Committees' on behalf of my Department. The arrangement for the payment of grants and refunds of student service charges under the grant schemes are a matter for the administering authorities. Officials of my Department contacted Kildare County Council the awarding body in this case...

Written Answers — School Placement: School Placement (10 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The determination by the Appeal Committee, formed under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998, to hear this appeal, against a refused enrolment, was issued to both the school and family on 5th December, 2008. The determination upheld the appeal, and the accompanying directive issued to the school requested that they contact the family to arrange enrolment. On 17th December, 2008, the school...

Written Answers — Third Level Education: Third Level Education (10 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I announced the launch of a process to develop a new national strategy for higher education last Friday. The process will be overseen by a high level steering group, chaired by economist Dr Colin Hunt and comprising national and international expertise including academic, business, community and student interests, as well as senior government officials. It is expected that the group will...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (10 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which he refers has made a proposal to my Department in relation to the provision of sports facilities. The Planning and Building Unit of my Department will be in contact with the school authority shortly in relation to this proposal.