Results 4,621-4,640 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

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

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy is aware, a project to provide a new building for the school to which he refers is in the early stages of architectural planning. In this regard, a revised stage 2A submission (Developed Sketch Scheme) has been received in my Department and is currently being examined. The further progression of this project, in common with all large scale projects, will be considered in the...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: In general, individual school authorities are responsible, in the first instance, for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care, including traffic management measures. The issue of road safety measures outside the vested site areas of schools, such as road signage, traffic calming measures etc., is a matter that should be raised in the first instance with the...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Under the terms of my Department's Higher Education Grants Scheme, maintenance grants are not payable to candidates who already hold an undergraduate degree and are pursuing a second undergraduate degree. Similarly tuition fees, under the Free Fees Initiative, are not payable in respect of a second period of college attendance on a course at the same level. These restrictions apply to every...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1484, 1486 and 1487 together. The Project Maths initiative is designed to encourage better understanding of Maths, to reinforce the practical relevance of maths to everyday life, and to ensure better continuity between primary and second level, and junior and senior cycle. The initiative started in 2008 and is being piloted in 24 schools. The curriculum...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: Project Maths is a new ground-breaking curriculum development initiative in post-primary Mathematics, which is being led by the NCCA in conjunction with my Department and the SEC. The project, which is scheduled to run from 2008 to at least 2013, will see the incremental development of revised syllabuses in Junior and Leaving Certificate Mathematics alongside a significant programme of...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The arrangements for the payment of grants under the Grant Schemes are a matter for the Local Authorities/V.E.C.s. The terms of the 2008 Higher Education Grants Scheme and the V.E.C. Scholarships Scheme provide for the payment by the Local Authorities/V.E.C.s of each maintenance grant in three equal instalments as early as possible in each academic term. The payable orders are addressed to...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The two new primary schools in Gorey, opened in 2008, were not Public Private Partnership projects but were delivered under my Department's Multi-Annual Building and Modernisation Programme using fasttrack methods. Further phases will be considered to meet the need as it arises.

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The operation of appeals under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 is governed by procedures as provided for in the Act. Section 4 of the Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2007 provides for amendments to Section 29 of the Education Act. My department has engaged in consultation with the education partners in respect of the changes to the Section 29 Appeals procedures which are...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: My previous response to the Deputy set out the estimated savings arising from the change in the staffing schedules. The estimates for my Department's budget for 2009 have been prepared on the same fundamental basis as any other year by estimating the number of teachers that will be employed under the different categories given the policies in place, for example, mainstream classroom teachers,...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Teacher allocations to all second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. In accordance with these rules each school management authority is required to organise its subject options within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. It is a matter for the school to employ teachers up to the limit of its...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1499, 1535, 1543 and 1575 together. I have consistently said that the 2009 Budget required difficult choices to be made across all areas of public expenditure. These decisions were made to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability in the long run. In this respect education, while protected to a much greater extent than most other areas of public...

Written Answers — Clárú Gaelcholáiste: Clárú Gaelcholáiste (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Tógfaigh mé Ceisteanna 1500 agus 1501 le chéile. Tá Rannóg Pleanála Chun Cinn mo Roinne i mbun na ceantair a shainaithint ina mbeidh gá le cóiríocht shuntasach bhreise ag an mbunleibhéal agus ag an iarbhunleibhéal do 2009 i leith. I measc na bhfachtóirí atá á machnamh tá fás sa dhaonra, treochtaí déimeagrafacha, rolluithe reatha agus rolluithe réamh-mheasta, forbairtí...

Written Answers — Clárú Gaelcholáiste: Clárú Gaelcholáiste (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Mar is eol gan dabht don Teachta, bhunaigh mé le déanaí Meitheal Oibre Teicniúil faoin gCoimisiún um Chóiríocht Scoileanna chun tabhairt faoi athbhreithniú iomlán ar na critéir agus na nósanna imeachta i gcomhair aithint bunscoileanna nua, ina measc Gaelscoileanna. Tá an Meitheal Oibre seo tar éis tosú ar a chuid oibre agus táthar ag súil go mbeidh an t-athbhreithniú ar na...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to reemphasise that there are no changes proposed in respect of the Protestant Block Grant. Protestant fee-charging schools receive — and will continue to receive — the Protestant Block grant, which in the current school year amounts to €6.25 million. This payment covers capitation, tuition and boarding grants. The grant is distributed by the Secondary Education Committee...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware of the Government's commitment to ensuring that all children with special educational needs, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. This facilitates access to individualised education programmes, fully qualified professional teachers,...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The major project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The progression of all major building projects, including this project, 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 current competing demands on the capital budget of...

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (27 Jan 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The minimum academic requirements for places on Bachelor of Education courses in all of the Colleges of Education are: Leaving Certificate Grade C3 Higher Level in not less than three subjects; Grade D3 in three other subjects; Grade D3 in Mathematics (either ordinary or Higher Level); Grade C3 in Higher Level Irish; Grade C3 in English Ordinary Level or D3 Higher Level. There are no...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers applied for capital funding under the Permanent Accommodation Scheme 2007 for 15 mainstream classrooms, 2 special needs rooms, resource rooms and 2 learning support rooms. Following discussions with the school it was agreed that the scope of the works concerned was more appropriate for delivery under the traditional method. To meet the school's immediate...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is 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 phase 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 the...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that on the 23rd January last, I announced details of 10 major school building projects which are to proceed to tender and construction. The project for the school to which the Deputy refers, which is for a new 8 classroom school, is included in this list. While all of the projects concerned were previously offered for tender, they will now be re-offered...