Results 5,781-5,800 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — In-service Training: In-service Training (23 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The information requested is not readily available at this point in time but will be made available to the Deputy in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The current very difficult budgetary position has made it necessary to critically examine all areas of public expenditure. As a consequence of current circumstances, it was found necessary to reduce the operating budget of my Department's Regional Office Service (ROS) for 2009 by 26%. The intention is to rationalise and prioritise some services and to seek efficiencies in the operation of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (23 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland employs 23.6 Whole Time Equivalents (WTEs), HETAC employs 34.1 WTEs and FETAC employs 55.5 WTEs. In total therefore the 3 agencies employ 113.2 WTEs.

Written Answers — Education Welfare Service: Education Welfare Service (23 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Notwithstanding the increase of €302 million in the Education budget for 2009, which is a real achievement in the current economic climate, a number of tough and difficult decisions had to be taken. These decisions included reductions on the aid for school books scheme which in the case of schools outside of the DEIS scheme will involve savings of approximately €7.5 million on current...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (23 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) currently has 98.5 staff. Of these, 21.5 staff are located in the NCSE Head Office, Trim, Co. Meath. 12 Senior Special Educational Needs Organisers and 65 Special Educational Needs Organisers are based in regional locations.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (23 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: In 2008, my Department's School Building and Modernisation programme has seen the completion of 43 new primary schools. This is an unprecedented number of new school buildings in any one year and includes 27 schools delivered under the fast track off-site construction programme in rapidly developing areas. In addition, a total of 29 major extension/refurbishment projects at primary level are...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (23 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 268 and 291 together. My Department has over 1000 applications on hand for major capital works on the main school building programme. In addition there are approximately 360 major projects progressing through architectural planning. The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase is considered in the...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (23 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I published the ICT Strategy Group Report, Investing Effectively in ICT in Schools 2008-2013, together with the evaluation report undertaken by my Department's Inspectorate, ICT in schools, in July. While acknowledging the progress made since the ICT in Schools Programme was first launched some ten years ago, these Reports set out a substantial agenda to be pursued to fully integrate ICT into...

Written Answers — Hazardous Substances: Hazardous Substances (23 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: A nationwide survey of primary and post-primary schools was carried out by the Office of Public Works on behalf of my Department to establish the position relating to asbestos in school buildings and to undertake any remediation measures necessary. Where asbestos requiring removal is detected, either as a result of the survey or otherwise, arrangements to undertake the work in accordance...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (23 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The pupil teacher ratio for children with general learning disabilities in special classes and special schools is determined by reference to the recommendations outlined in the Report of the Special Education Review Committee, 1993, also known as the SERC Report. These ratios range from 6:1 to 11:1 depending on the level of disability. I wish to advise the Deputy that I have no plans to alter...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (23 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is in the early stages 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...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (23 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The specific information requested by the Deputy in relation to the detailed staffing allocation of the school in question for the academic year 2009/10 cannot be determined until the allocation process has fully concluded. There is nothing exceptional in this. The allocation process includes appellate mechanisms under which schools can appeal against the allocation due to them under the...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (23 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Early Retirement Scheme for teachers, which had operated on a pilot basis since 1996/97, has been suspended in all sectors until further notice. There will be no retirees under the scheme in 2009. While the Scheme had been under review, the reason for its suspension stems not as a result of that review but from the current challenging economic climate within which Government...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (23 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The specific information requested by the Deputy in relation to the detailed staffing allocation of the school in question for the academic year 2009/10 cannot be determined until the allocation process has fully concluded. There is nothing exceptional in this. The allocation process includes appellate mechanisms under which schools can appeal against the allocation due to them under the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (23 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: 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 capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (23 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The progression of all large scale building projects, including the 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 capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (23 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The primary responsibility of my Department in this area is the provision of school facilities for the effective delivery of the curriculum. In addition, school authorities have a considerable degree of autonomy in relation to how their premises are managed and utilised at local level. However, I do recognise that there is a lack of recreational facilities for community use in certain areas...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (23 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: As I informed the Deputy in September, in view of other competing priorities in the capital area, it is not possible to allocate staffing resources to the compilation of the information on accommodation at this stage. However, I can assure the Deputy that my Department is actively promoting physical education as a core part of the curriculum. At primary level, the programme has been...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (23 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The decision on eligibility for student maintenance grants is a matter for the relevant assessing authority, either the local authority or VEC, as appropriate. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department, except in exceptional circumstances. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant, or that the rate of...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (23 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The specific information requested by the Deputy in relation to the detailed staffing allocation of the school in question for the academic year 2009/10 cannot be determined until the allocation process has fully concluded. There is nothing exceptional in this. The allocation process includes appellate mechanisms under which schools can appeal against the allocation due to them under the...