Results 5,881-5,900 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Psychological Service: Psychological Service (21 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 623 to 648, inclusive, together. The Deputy will be aware that all primary and post-primary schools have access to psychological assessments, directly through my Department's National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) or through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments, which is administered and paid for by NEPS. For the Deputy's...

Written Answers — School Placement: School Placement (21 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is currently examining a number of possible projects for inclusion on its fast track programme for 2009. However, a number of issues need to be resolved before any formal decision can be made on particular projects. These include issues such as the finalisation of accommodation briefs, sight investigations, topographical surveys and planning permissions. The projects currently...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The four post primary schools which form the First Bundle of public private partnership, PPP, schools and are due to commence construction later this year are Banagher College/Coláiste Na Sionna, Banagher and Gallen Community School, Ferbane, both Co. Offaly, and Scoil Chríost Rí, and St. Mary's CBS, both in Portlaoise, Co. Laois. The Second Bundle of PPP Schools' consists of five...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following tables. I have not however provided details on the major projects which will commence construction in 2009. As I have already said, it is my intention to make a further announcement in the first quarter of 2009 on major primary and post-primary school projects to proceed to construction. List of devolved projects yet to...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 653 to 678, inclusive, together. The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following tabular statements. Since 1 January 2005, major projects in respect of 75 new primary schools and 154 major refurbishments and extensions to existing primary schools have been completed. There are currently 23 major projects involving primary schools under...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (21 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 679 to 704, inclusive, together. The information requested by the Deputy is given in the following tabular statements. SSS-2005 County Roll No. School Type of Project Cavan 11517B Cavan No. 1 NS Extension Cavan 17630E SN Maodhog, East Knockbride New School Cavan 18355N Knocknagilla NS, Aughadreena Extension Clare 11714D Bansha NS, Kilkee Extension...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (21 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 705 to 730, inclusive, together. The information requested by the Deputy is given in the following tabular statements. Permanent Accommodation Scheme 2005 County Roll No. School Type of Project Clare 13942D S N Cill Muire, Kilmurray, Sixmilebridge Extension — 2 c/r + 1 R Cork 17600S S N Na Scairte Leithe, Saleen, Cloyne, Midleton Extension — 4 c/r + 1...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 757, 758 and 811 to 834, inclusive, together. The information requested by the Deputy regarding major projects currently under construction is given in the following tabular statement. Projects under Construction County Roll No School Clare 13418J Ballyea Mixed NS, Sn Baile Aodha Cork 15597W Macroom BNS, Macroom, Donegal 16642G Clonmany Mixed NS Donegal...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 759 to 784, inclusive, together. The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the tabular statement. School Details Project Detalis 16237U Dromtrasna Ns, Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick New five-classroom school, general purpose hall and associated works. 16646O St Mary's Convent N.S., Trim, Co Meath Extension of nine classrooms, five special needs...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 785 to 810, inclusive, together. The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following tabular statements. Since 1 January 2002, major capital projects in respect of 99 new primary schools and 279 major refurbishments and extensions to existing primary schools have been completed. In the same period, major capital projects in respect of 27 new...

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (16 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Operational responsibility for the Junior and Leaving Certificate examinations, including the collection of fees, is a matter for the State Examinations Commission. The amount of fees collected for each of the examination years 2002 to 2008 is as follows; Year â'¬ 2002 6,732,834.12 2003 6,848,749.23 2004 7,396,293.06 2005 8,084,004.95 2006 7,962,013.83 2007 8,117,638.38 2008...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Since January 2007, all new construction consultancy appointments have been on a competitive fee basis using the new Government Conditions of Engagement. The level of fees will, therefore, vary from project to project. With regard to construction contracts, my Department has also implemented fixed price tendering in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines on Construction...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (16 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I recently received a letter from the President of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland on the issue of architectural fees for school buildings. I have issued a reply to this letter. In my reply, I noted the need to ensure better value for money in the procurement and construction of schools. At all times, but in particular in the current economic circumstances, value for money...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (16 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware, I have recently announced a review of the procedures for the establishment of new primary schools under the Commission on School Accommodation. I intend to establish a Technical Working Group under the Commission to undertake a full review of the criteria and procedures for the recognition of new primary schools. This working group will begin work in the coming...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (16 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department provides for a scheme of grants towards the purchase of equipment for the use of students in second-level schools who have been diagnosed as having serious physical and/or communicative disabilities of a degree which makes ordinary communication through speech and/or writing impossible for them. The purpose of the grant-aid is to provide the students in question with equipment...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (16 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 maintenance...

Written Answers — Institutes of Technology: Institutes of Technology (16 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Grangegorman site is currently in the ownership of the Health Service Executive and any costs associated with the maintenance of buildings on the site is therefore a matter for the HSE. As the Deputy is aware the Grangegorman Development Agency was established under Section 8 of the Grangegorman Development Agency Act 2005. The general aim of the Agency is to oversee the development of...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The building project for the school to which the Deputy refers 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 Programme. However, in light of current competing...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project for the schools referred to by the Deputy has advanced to the stage that the school authorities have agreed the Schedules of Accommodation for two 24 classroom schools. The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to tender and construction, including this project, will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's...

Written Answers — Psychological Service: Psychological Service (16 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: County Dublin VEC has operated a Psychological Support Service since 1992. I understand that a number of psychologists have left positions with this Psychological Support Service to take up posts with the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS). My Department has been informed by the VEC that there are currently three vacancies within County Dublin VEC's Psychological Support...