Results 4,521-4,540 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (28 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. A stage 4/5 submission has been received by my Department and is currently being reviewed and evaluated. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme....

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (28 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I will arrange for the information requested to be sent to the Deputy as soon as possible. In the interim, I understand that the Deputy can access the contact details of all special educational needs organisers on the website of the National Council for Special Education at www.ncse.ie.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (28 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is not aware of any such application having been received from the school in question. However, if the temporary storage area is raising health and safety concerns, the school may apply for emergency funding, taking into consideration that there is a replacement storage area in place.

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (28 Jan 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 — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (28 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: A site has been identified for the proposed new 16 classroom school referred to by the Deputy. My Department made an offer for this site in November 2008, based on an independent valuation, and a response is awaited. Once the site issues have been resolved, the further progression of the building project in question will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School...

Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Let us hear what the courts decide and we will then look at that issue. The interpretation section of the Act defined the term "child" and other cognate expressions as somebody who had not attained 18 years. This operated to exclude the applicant who was over 18 when initially placed in the institution. However, at the time the applicant was placed in the institution, she was regarded under...

Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the draft Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000 (Section 5) (Specified Period) Order, 2009, a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 22nd January, 2009. The operation of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse is governed by the terms of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000 and the amended Act of 2005. Under section...

Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank all the Deputies who contributed and I shall try to respond as best I can to some of the issues they raised. The judgment which Deputy Hayes mentioned refers to the Residential Institutions Redress Board and not to the commission. With regard to the report and the four-month extension, that request came from Mr. Justice Ryan. He indicated clearly that over 90% of the report has been...

Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I beg the Deputy's pardon.

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Work on a revised syllabus for Agricultural Science has largely been completed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). However, the assessment arrangements for the revised syllabus have not yet been finalised as they will have to be considered in the context of the assessment of other senior cycle science subjects, including the introduction of a second assessment component.

Written Answers — Schools Building Programme: Schools Building Programme (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Programme for Government commits the provision of a dedicated fund of at least €100 million for investment in school sports facilities over five years from within the NDP allocation for school buildings. I assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to promoting exercise for our children and young people– both in their community and at school. Over €2.6 billion has been...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (27 Jan 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...

Written Answers — Offshore Islands: Offshore Islands (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: In line with the programme for Government, it is my Department's policy that, where possible, education should be provided on islands for both primary and post primary pupils. In all, there are 13 primary schools on the offshore islands with a total enrolment of around 270 pupils. There are 4 post-primary schools and one unit attached to a mainland school on the offshore islands, with an...

Written Answers — Third Level Education: Third Level Education (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department provides significant annual funding to support the development of teaching and research activities in our higher education sector. The purpose and function of funding support in this context is to develop both the teaching and research capability and capacity in the Higher Education System. My Department also provides annual funding to the Dublin Institute for Advanced...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: An arrangement applies for teachers who become members of the Oireachtas with regard to the retention of their teaching posts. The arrangement, is that a replacement teacher is employed (in a temporary or Regular Part-Time capacity) in his/her school for the duration of the absence. The member of the Oireachtas retains his/her full salary and allowances and the cost of the replacement...

Written Answers — Coláistí Samhraidh: Coláistí Samhraidh (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Aithním an ról tábhachtach atá ag na coláistí samhraidh Gaeltachta i saol na Gaeilge agus molaim obair na gcoláistí as ucht líofacht a chothú i measc na mac léinn a dhéanann freastal orthu. Is ábhar dóchais é go leanann líon suntasach mac léinn orthu ag freastal ar na coláistí seo sa Ghaeltacht. Aithním chomh maith go mbíonn tionchar nach beag ag na coláistí ar...

Written Answers — Schools Building Programme: Schools Building Programme (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1376, 1382, 1496 and 1507 together. The project to which the Deputies refer 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...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department will review the application for emergency funding from this school. The school authorities will be notified as soon as a decision is reached.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy 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 schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. I have arranged for the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on...