Results 5,421-5,440 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (6 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers involves the acquisition of additional land. The progression of the project, from site acquisition and 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 capital budget of the Department, it...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (6 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: There are 56 fee-paying schools in the State, of which 21 are Protestant, two inter-denominational, one Jewish and the remainder Catholic. With the exception of the Protestant and Jewish fee-charging schools, fee-paying schools do not receive capitation or related supports. Protestant fee-charging schools receive, and will continue to receive, the Protestant Block grant, which amounts to...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (6 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30th September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is issued to all primary schools each year. The detailed staffing allocation for the school in question for the academic year 2009/10 cannot...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (6 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Overall the number of primary and post-primary teachers in schools in September 2009 is projected to be about 200 fewer in each sector compared to September 2008. The estimates are calculated on the basis that approximately 900 additional posts in primary schools and 320 such posts in post-primary schools are needed due to demographics and the continued growth in provision for children with...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The estimated cost of the 3.5% pay increase with effect from 1 September 2009, arising under the recently negotiated second pay agreement under Towards 2016, is €80m in 2009 and €240m in a full year. The following Table gives a breakdown of the costs requested by the Deputy. Estimated impact of 3.5% Pay Increase 1/9/09 2009 Budget Allocation 3.50% wef Departmental Staff Salaries...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The attendance/absence of officials at my Department is recorded on a Human Resources Management System (HRMS) database. A similar parliamentary question was tabled recently by one of the Deputy's colleagues and I have requested officials at the Personnel Unit of my Department to compile information on absenteeism for the last five years as sought by that Deputy and forward it to him in due...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (6 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for capital funding for a new school building. 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...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (6 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 279 together. The National Disability Strategy supports and reinforces equal participation in society of people with disabilities. Its elements include — the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004, the Disability Act, 2005 and its associated Sectoral Plans published in 2006 by six Government Departments, the Citizens...

Written Answers — Clárú Múinteoirí: Clárú Múinteoirí (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Ní mór do dhaoine ar mhian leo bheith cláraithe mar mhúinteoirí sa tír seo iarraidh ar an gComhairle Múinteoireachta a gcáilíochtaí a aithint. Nuair atá na riachtanais go léir comhlíonta ag na hiarratasóirí, agus nuair atá a gcuid cáilíochtaí aitheanta ag an gComhairle Múinteoireachta, féadann iarratasóirí cur isteach ar aitheantas mar mhúinteoirí bunscoile nó...

Written Answers — Coláistí Samhraidh Gaeilge: Coláistí Samhraidh Gaeilge (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: In ainneoin an mhéadaithe de €302 milliún atá sa bhuiséad oideachais do 2009, éacht nach beag agus an eacnamaíocht mar atá sé, ní raibh aon dul as ach roinnt cinntí crua, deacra a dhéanamh. Léiríodh na cinntí seo i measc na bhfógairtí Lá an Bhuiséid agus ina measc bhí cealú an deontais a bhí á íóc ag mo Roinnse do na coláistí samhraidh Gaeilge. B'é ráta an...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An application for grant-aid for the provision of a resource room was approved for the school referred to by the Deputy. I can confirm the Board of Management have appealed for additional funding to be provided for the project. This appeal is currently under consideration and a decision will be conveyed to the Board as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Scheme: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Redress Board's primary function is to provide financial redress to persons who, as children, were abused while resident in Industrial Schools, Reformatories or other institutions that were subject to State regulation or inspection. The closing date for receipt of applications was the 15th December 2005 by which time the Board had received 14,513 applications. The Board has received a...

Written Answers — Education Committees: Education Committees (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 359, 386 and 387 together. The 2009 budget required difficult choices to be made across all areas of public expenditure. Decisions were made in order to control expenditure and ensure sustainability in the long term. In this respect, education, while protected to a much greater extent than most other areas of public expenditure, could not be entirely spared....

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The statutory framework for the student maintenance grants scheme, as set out in the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992, provides for means-tested higher education grants to assist students to attend full-time third-level education. Clause 1, 1.1 of the Higher Education Grants Scheme defines an approved course as a full-time undergraduate course of not less than...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is awaiting the appointment of a Design Team. 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...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware that the home tuition scheme provides a grant to parents to facilitate the provision of education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting an educational placement and provide early education intervention for pre-school...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The planned building programme for the College referred to by the Deputy involves four individual major projects all of which are progressing. Three projects, a Digital Media Building, Workshops and a Multi Purpose Hall form part of the first bundle of higher education projects that were announced earlier this year for delivery through the Public Private Partnership process. Pre-procurement...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 366 together. I am aware of the concerns referred to by the Deputy. 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...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project for the school to which the Deputy refers involves the acquisition of a site for a new school building. The progression of the project, from site acquisition and 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 — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (5 Nov 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware that a significant number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004 have been commenced, principally those establishing the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and those promoting an inclusive approach to the education of children with special educational needs. Specifically, the following sections have been commenced...