Results 6,241-6,260 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (25 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The proposed building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, will be considered in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However,...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (25 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently 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...
- Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (25 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 to 282, inclusive, together. The demand for additional accommodation in schools has risen significantly over the last number of years, with the appointment of 6,000 extra teachers in the primary sector alone since 2002. In considering the need to provide extra resources and teachers to schools in recent years, the Government prioritised putting the extra...
- Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (25 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 287 together. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that funding for the provision of Temporary Accommodation, namely one eighty square metre Mainstream Classroom, at the school in question has been approved by my Department.
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (25 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: An application for an extension to the college referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project will be considered in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in...
- Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (25 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The school referred to by the Deputy applied for funding for various works to the school building under the emergency works scheme. Generally emergency works grants are made available to schools most in need of resources as a result of unforeseen emergencies of a capital nature that may arise during the school year. The application from the school was assessed in my Department. However, in...
- Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (25 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 288 to 292, inclusive, and 300 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested by the Deputy in relation to resource teachers and special needs assistants in primary and post primary schools in the North Tipperary area is not readily available within my Department. As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education...
- Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (25 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 293 and 294 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Summer Works Scheme has, since its introduction just a few years ago, transformed the standard of existing school accommodation. With over 3,000 projects now having been funded under the scheme, my Department concentrated the investment in school buildings this year on delivering as many large projects as...
- Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (25 Sep 2008)
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 — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (25 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The information sought is not readily available in the format requested by the Deputy. However, my officials are currently compiling this information and it will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (25 Sep 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. The term of office of the New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC), which was set up to assess all applications for new primary schools, expired last month. The terms of reference of the Committee were originally drafted in 1998. Given the rapid growth in population...
- Written Answers — Capitation Grants: Capitation Grants (25 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The Transition Year Programme (TYP) is part of the revised Senior Cycle structure and over 500 schools are now providing the programme. My Department provides a special per capita grant to schools in the free education scheme offering TYP, including schools located in disadvantaged sectors. This is in respect of additional teaching hours required to allow for coordination and planning and...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (25 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The project referred to by the Deputy is currently awaiting the appointment of a Design Team. The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, 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 — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (25 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I understand from the Office of Public Works that no properties have been purchased since 3 July, 2008. In terms of non- property costs, â¬25,749 has been spent by my Department on the decentralisation programme since July 2008. Since 3 July, 2008, a further 17 posts have been decentralised to Athlone. I can confirm to the Deputy that at this stage my Department has completed the process...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: Over â¬2.6 billion has been provided for school building infrastructure between 2000 and 2006 and a further â¬4.5 billion is to be invested under the current National Development Plan 2007-2013. Close to â¬600m of this will be provided this year alone. These capital allocations include provision for PE facilities as an intrinsic part of the design for new school buildings or...
- Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: In accordance with the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools, all second-level schools should provide Physical Education as part of the curriculum. The programme that each school plans and delivers should be based on my Department's approved syllabuses and the teaching hours should be registered in the school timetable. The syllabuses have been developed on the basis of a time...
- Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers, for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. I have arranged for the details supplied...
- Written Answers — Research Funding: Research Funding (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1639 and 1687 together. My Department provides annual funding to the Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Sciences (IRCHSS) and the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (IRCSET) to award a number of post graduate scholarships. An application should be made directly to the appropriate Research Council and the terms and...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1640 and 1767 together. Almost â¬4.5bn has been allocated to the school building programme under the current National Development Plan. This allocation was the result of discussions and analysis between officials in my Department and officials in the Department of Finance. The school building programme is primarily focussed on meeting the demand for new...
- Written Answers — Millennium Partnership Fund: Millennium Partnership Fund (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The Millennium Partnership Fund has been in operation since 2000. The objective of the fund is to support students from disadvantaged areas with regard to retention and participation in further or higher education. Area Partnership Companies and Community Partnerships manage the fund locally. The Fund is administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department and the National Office for Equity...