Results 4,581-4,600 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The capacity of higher education institutions to address key national objectives, including increasing access and participation, is supported through core and strategic funding allocated under the Human Capital Priority of the NDP. The Social Inclusion Priority of the NDP also supports increased participation by disadvantaged groups through funding allocated through the higher education...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The implementation of this Programme for Government commitment will be considered in the context of the development of policies on how best to meet the future funding requirements of the higher education sector, having regard to available resources. In this regard, I am also reviewing policy options relating to the operation of the existing free fees scheme.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department, together with the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) supports the work of third level institutions in broadening routes of access to higher education. The National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2008–2013, which I launched in July last year, seeks to encourage the broadening of entry routes to higher...

Written Answers — Higher Education Capital Investments: Higher Education Capital Investments (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: In the two years 2007 and 2008, the Government has invested in excess of €300m in developing the country's higher education infrastructure. This is separate from investments planned for the sector in the course of the current year. Investments since 2007 have enabled the Government expend €69m on dedicated research projects under Cycles 3 and 4 of the Programme for Research in Third...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The commitment in the Programme for Government to appoint a second student representative to the Board of the 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...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1438 and 1439 together. As the Deputy is aware the new secondary school in Gorey is one 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's PPP Unit is about to commence a round of stakeholders' meetings. A detailed...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to inform the Deputy that the question of Patron or school management type for the new post-primary school in Gorey has not yet been decided. This matter is currently under consideration.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: Under the terms of the Schemes a student is not eligible for grant assistance in respect of a second period of study at the same level, irrespective of whether a grant was paid previously. The Schemes also provide that grants may not be paid to candidates who already hold a postgraduate qualification and are pursuing a second postgraduate qualification. Notwithstanding this condition,...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The position is that Irish, English, Mathematics, History, Geography, Civic Social and Political Education (CSPE) and Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE), in addition to two other subjects, are a normal part of an approved course for a recognised Junior cycle pupil in a secondary school. However, for pupils with special needs, the school is free to adapt this programme or to offer...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) has developed guidelines for schools on Codes of Behaviour, as provided for under Section 23 of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000. These guidelines have been informed by broad consultation. The guidelines are sufficiently flexible to allow each school authority to adapt them to suit the particular needs of their school. Each Board of Management...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: In primary and post-primary schools, the in-school evaluation stage of WSE generally does not exceed five school days. Pre-evaluation meetings with the chief executive officer of the vocational education committee (if it is a VEC school), the trustees (if a meeting is requested with the evaluation team), the board of management, principal and deputy principal/s, representatives of the...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to inform the Deputy, that the further progression of the site acquisition will have to be considered in the context of the capital budget available to my Department for school buildings generally. In light of current competing demands on the capital budget of my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the acquisition of the site at this time.

Written Answers — Early Childhood Education: Early Childhood Education (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that officials in my Department have agreed an arrangement in respect of home tuition grant payment with the service provider in question for the current school year.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department's website provides information on an area basis of primary and post-primary schools. The number of teachers nationally at primary level at 30 September, 2008 was 31,134 and at post-primary level was 26,994. The application of the budgetary measures is expected to reduce the numbers in each sector by 200 posts in September, 2009. The 2009 Budget required difficult choices to be...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department is ongoing communication with the County Dublin Vocational Educational Committee in relation to acquiring a long term lease on their property as a potential site for the proposed school in question.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1450, 1453 and 1509 together. I am pleased to inform the Deputies that funding for the emergency works application from the school in question has been approved and the school informed of the position.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The report of the Action Group on Access to Third Level Education made detailed recommendations concerning the introduction of special rates of maintenance grants for disadvantaged students. The target group of "those most in need" was defined in terms of the dependants of people receiving long-term welfare payments, where the necessary conditions are fulfilled. To qualify for the Special...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1454 and 1455 together. I am pleased to inform the Deputies that funding has been provided to the school in question to replace existing unsuitable furniture.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The Education Act of 1998 recognises the role of patrons in the ownership and management of schools in Ireland. The patron has ultimate responsibility for the school ethos, the appointment of the board of management, financial and legal matters and the supervision of staff appointments in accordance with Department regulations. Patrons generally discharge their responsibilities in close...