Results 6,401-6,420 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe
- Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: Under the student support schemes eligible undergraduate students may avail of grant aid for a period of in excess of four years in particular circumstances. At post graduate level grant aid is limited to four years. Any extension to the scope of the maintenance grants scheme, can be considered only in the light of available resources and in the context of competing demands within the...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1812 to 1820, inclusive and 1825 together. I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of applications for large scale capital funding from the schools to which he refers. The projects have been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. The progression of all large scale building...
- Written Answers — : (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: An extension project for the school in question is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The further progression of the project 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 — : (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 considered...
- Written Answers — : (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I can now inform the deputy that planning permission has been granted for the building project at Kill, Co. Kildare. Tendering for contractors is next stage in the process following receipt of the stage 2b submission, currently awaited by the Department. The progression of this and all large scale capital building projects in the Department will be considered in the context of the...
- Written Answers — Teachers' Remuneration: Teachers' Remuneration (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The terms of award of incremental credit to teachers are determined by the Conciliation Council for Teachers, which is the forum for the discussion by representatives of the management and staff sides of claims, terms and conditions of employment. Arrangements for the award of incremental credit for primary teachers are outlined in Circular 10/01, and any changes in arrangements would have...
- Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: My Department spent a total of â¬517,043.86 on consultants in 2007. The most recent figure to end May 2008 indicates that a total of â¬184,567.31 was spent on consultants.
- Written Answers — School Services Staff: School Services Staff (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: A Value for Money Review of the ICT Support Service, which addressed the work of the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE), the ICT Advisory Service and specific posts assigned to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, was undertaken by my Department and will shortly be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. While concluding that the Service is generally effective...
- Written Answers — Disruptive Students: Disruptive Students (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The National Behaviour Support Service (NBSS) provides behaviour improvement support and advice to 62 schools nationally and special behaviour support classrooms/programmes have been established in 36 of these schools. Behaviour support classrooms/programmes provide an individualised intensive intervention for students who are unable to abide by a school's code of behaviour. This...
- Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to confirm that my Department has received the correspondence referred to by the Deputy. The issues referred to in the correspondence will be considered in the context of Government policy on supports for the Irish language and having regard also for the overall economic and budgetary position and the competing priorities for available resources.
- Written Answers — Teaching Qualifications: Teaching Qualifications (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The Teaching Council is the designated statutory body for the recognition of qualifications for teaching. A post-primary teacher in this State must hold a suitable degree and a suitable teacher-education qualification. A suitable degree is a degree or equivalent award from a State recognised university or similar third level college which is adequate to enable the holder to teach to the...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The project at the school to which the Deputy refers is currently at 'Stage 1' (i.e. site report and preliminary sketch scheme) of the Architectural Planning Process. Planning permission will be lodged once the detailed design has been approved. I am not in a position at this stage to say when this will be done.
- Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: Under the Small Schools Scheme, a grant of â¬380,000 was allocated in 2007 to Loughill National School to enable the Board of Management to extend and modernise their school. The Small Schools Scheme is not intended to leave schools with significant fundraising needs, rather the terms of the Scheme require the schools to tailor the scope of capital works commissioned to the available...
- Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1842 and 1845 together. 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 progression of all large scale building projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, 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...
- Written Answers — Capitation Grants: Capitation Grants (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The scope for any increases in the capitation grant for this or any other school has to be considered in the context of Government budgetary policy and the overall economic climate. My Department is aware of the funding pressures on schools. However, progress has been made in recent years that has seen the primary school capitation grant increased from â¬81.26 per pupil in 2000 to its...
- Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has in the past sought a consideration where a school building on religious or other Patron lands closes. If equipment was supplied by the Department, then it remains Department property to be used as the Department determines. However if the equipment is supplied by local fundraising then the Board of Management should determine what to do.
- Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The school referred to by the Deputy applied for funding for roof 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 light...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has received an application for major capital funding from the school to which the Deputy refers. 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...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: Applications for extensions have been received from the two schools referred to by the Deputy. The application for the boys school has been assessed and the next step will be to appoint a Design Team for the project. My Department is in receipt of an application for an extension to the girls' school. This has not been fully assessed at this stage. The commencement and progression of all...