Results 6,381-6,400 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

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

Batt O'Keeffe: Following a technical examination of the site, proposed for donation to the Department by a developer, my officials wrote to the developer requesting contract documents. A reply is awaited. As an interim measure my Department has sanctioned the rental of temporary premises and accommodation in order for the school to operate. Progression of a project to provide permanent accommodation for...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: Schedules of overall accommodation for the school to which the Deputy refers have been agreed with Co. Cork Vocational Education Committee to cater for a long term enrolment of 325 pupils. The progression of this project as with all large scale building projects, from initial design stage through to construction phase, will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's...

Written Answers — Institutes of Technology: Institutes of Technology (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The position is that applications have been received from 3 Institutes of Technology for designation as Universities. These applications raise significant issues regarding Government policy towards higher education, in particular the existing roles of the Universities and Institutes of Technology which have distinctive missions from each other, provide different levels and types of academic...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: Planning permission has been granted for the building project at the school in question. The Department is currently awaiting submission of the stage 2b (detailed design) documentation from the Project Design Team. When this is received it will be examined by the Department's Technical Section. The progression of this and all large scale capital building projects in the Department will be...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The proposed project at this school has a band rating of 1.1, the highest priority that the Department assigns to major capital projects. The first stage in the process is the appointment of a Design Team and this will be considered in the context of the Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme and is subject to the availability of capital resources.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The acquisition of the site for the school will be considered in the context of the capital budget available to my Department for school buildings generally. In light of many competing demands on the capital budget of my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the acquisition of the school site at this time.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The development of a building project for the school in question is at an early stage. The project is 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 on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1798 and 1824 together. A tender report for the school referred to was received in my Department. The progression of major capital projects including this one, will be considered in the context of the Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. I am not in a position to say at this stage when construction is likely to commence on...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1799, 1822 and 1827 together. Officials from my Department have received the Stage 3 submission (i.e. Developed Sketch Scheme) from the school's Design Team. The Stage 3 submission is currently being reviewed by the Technical Staff of my Department for their observations. It is expected that a review meeting will be organised between the Board of Management,...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at early architectural planning. A stage 2(a) submission, Developed Sketch Design, has recently been received in my Department. Officials are currently examining the Stage submission. The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to tender and construction, including this project, will be...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1801 and 1821 together. The project for the school in question is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The progression of further major capital projects including this one, will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of the Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme and is of course subject to the availability...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is currently examining its policy in relation to the dissemination of data on class size in respect of individual classes in individual schools with a view to determining the best approach to the information needs of users and the resources required to generate tables for special requests. Data are already published on a regular basis in relation to class size for each County in...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Schools have flexibility in the way in which they assign pupils and teachers to classes and the Department does not allocate teachers to specific classes or age groups. 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...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The proposed building project for the school to which the Deputy refers 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 — Psychological Service: Psychological Service (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can inform the Deputy in this regard that currently 19 Psychologists have been appointed to and taken up duties with NEPS, 2 have deferred such appointment in the short-term and 3 others are at an advanced stage in finalising their arrangements with my Department's Personnel Section. Additionally 8 psychologists who have accepted an offer of an appointment are currently undergoing the...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy is aware, a number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004 have been commenced. Following discussions with the Education partners, my Department developed proposals to facilitate implementation of the remaining sections, including the provisions in respect of assessment and individual education plans (IEPs). These proposals are...

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 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 Staffing: School Staffing (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 removed the requirement to retire on age grounds but only in the case of persons coming within the definition of New Entrant as set out in the Act. In general terms a New Entrant under the Act is a person who commences employment in the public service on or after 1 April 2004 or a person who returns to employment in the...

Written Answers — Infectious Diseases: Infectious Diseases (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Issues in relation to public health are primarily a matter for the Health Service Executive. The HSE has forwarded some advice on these matters to the Department and this will be issued to schools in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (24 Sep 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: A reply has issued to the candidate referred to by the Deputy in respect of his appeal from the Higher Education- Equity Of Access Unit of my Department.