Results 6,361-6,380 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of the design process. 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...

Written Answers — Capitation Grants: Capitation Grants (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is aware of the cost pressures involved in setting up new schools. However, any improvements in the start-up funding can only be considered in the context of the overall economic and budgetary position and the competing priorities for available resources. In order to alleviate some of the pressures on new schools my Department facilitates them with early payment of capitation...

Written Answers — Schools Recognition: Schools Recognition (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Educate Together is not recognised as a patron for post-primary schools. My Department is currently considering a number of issues relating to the recognition process for second-level schools and the matter raised by the Deputy will be examined in that context.

Written Answers — School Placement: School Placement (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has provided significant additional capacity at primary level in the Lucan area with the opening in September, 2008 of the new 8 classroom primary school in Clonburris. The long term plan for this school is the provision of a 16 classroom school and appropriate ancillary space as per Department guidelines. Based on current demographic trends, my Department anticipates that...

Written Answers — School Placement: School Placement (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has received correspondence from the school referred to by the Deputy on the extent of the school's catchment area. The need for a site for the school in question has been determined. A suitable site will be sourced in the wider Lucan area taking cognisance of the school's catchment area and the needs in Lucan generally. The acquisition of the site for the school will be...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Property Management Section of the Office of Public Works (OPW) was asked to source a site for the school to which the Deputy refers. The further progression of the site acquisition for the school will have to be considered in the context of the capital budget available to my Department for school buildings generally. In light of the many competing demands on the capital budget of my...

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will appreciate that the preparation of the Estimates, which is ongoing, and which has recently been fast-tracked by the Government, is carried out on a strictly confidential basis. As such it would not be appropriate for me to comment specifically on this matter in advance of the formal announcements involved.

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1774 to 1776, inclusive, together. The issue of the re-introduction of third level fees should be viewed in the context of a wider debate on the funding of higher education. As the Deputy will be aware, I have indicated my intention to produce a new strategy for higher education that will provide a vision and strategic direction for the future development of...

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 (SENOs), 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...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: A tender report for the project referred to by the Deputy was submitted to my Department. The contract for the project has not yet been awarded. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of the design process. 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...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The extension/refurbishment project to which the Deputy refers has a band rating of 2 and is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning, stage 4/5 (Detailed Design/Bill of Quantities). As is the case with all large capital projects currently on hand within the Developing Areas Unit, its progression will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: At the outset, I should point out that the procedures employed by the planning authorities in relation to the zoning of land is a matter for that authority in the first instance and I have no function in this matter. The Department has already acquired a site for a post-primary school under the Redress Scheme. The Department is currently examing the issue of the Navan Road site referred to...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An 8 classroom Generic Repeat Design School building has been approved for the school referred to by the Deputy. The project 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...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: With the recent rapid increase in the school going population, a large number of new schools have been established in recent years, under the process for the recognition of new schools conducted by the New Schools Advisory Committee. It is the general practice of my Department not to provide permanent accommodation for schools which have only received temporary recognition. When the school...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The information relevant to the Deputy's question is being compiled and will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.

Written Answers — School Placement: School Placement (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1786 and 1787 together. The Forward Planning Section of the Department is in the process of identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be required at primary and post-primary level for 2009 and onwards, including Glencullen/Sandyford. Factors under consideration include population growth, demographic trends, current and projected...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently 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 on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department does not categorise the school building programme on the basis of local electoral wards. However, if the Deputy has a query in relation to a specific school he can contact my officials in the Department who will be happy to assist in this regard.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: A new 8 classroom school building has been approved for the school referred to by the Deputy. The project 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, including this project, will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building...