Results 6,921-6,940 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe
- Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (24 Jun 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: Over 75% of pupils are in classes of less than 30 pupils. 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...
- Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (24 Jun 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department has been in recent communication with the VEC in relation to the negotiations for the site in question. The conclusion of same can only be considered in the context of the capital budget available to my Department for school buildings generally. I am not in a position to say at this stage when the acquisition will be concluded.
- Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (24 Jun 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: An application for funding for roof repairs in respect of the school referred to by the Deputy was received in my Department. 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. Following assessment of the application from this school and in light of the large number...
- Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (24 Jun 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has a strong record in developing low energy educational buildings. For the past nine years my Department has been using a process called the DART Approach to develop sustainable and energy efficiency in educational buildings. This acronym focuses on four key areas, namely; Design, Awareness, Research, and Technology. Rather than develop a unique focus on energy design my...
- Written Answers — Schools Amalgamation: Schools Amalgamation (24 Jun 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: An assessment of projected enrolment trends, demographic trends and housing developments to determine the long term projected staffing for the project to which the Deputy refers is on-going. When this matter has been finalised progress on the building project itself will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme. However, in...
- Written Answers — Capitation Grants: Capitation Grants (19 Jun 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The primary school capitation grant has been increased substantially in recent years. Since 2000 the standard rate of capitation grant has been increased from â¬81.26 per pupil to its current rate of â¬178.58. This represents an increase of almost 120% in the standard rate of capitation grant since 2000. The cumulative increase in inflation between 2000 and the end of 2007 is about 30%....
- Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (19 Jun 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The figures quoted by the Deputy are contained in an OECD Report Education at a Glance which, although published in 2007, uses data up to 2004 and hence does not capture the extra investment that has been put into Irish education since then. In any event, the OECD Report shows how Irish students are performing significantly better than those in other developed countries in a number of...
- Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (19 Jun 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: In July 2007, it was announced that the vacant premises of Greendale Community School would continue to be used for educational purposes. St. Michael's House Special School, Colaiste Dhulaigh and Integrate Ireland Language and Training Ltd (IILT) were announced as the three educational institutions which would transfer to Greendale. As IILT will cease providing direct tuition in July 2008,...
- Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (19 Jun 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 — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (19 Jun 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: 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 (SNAs) to schools to support children with special needs. My officials have been in contact with the NCSE and I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the pupil in question has been granted 4...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (19 Jun 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: A timeframe for the delivery of the planned second level school at Clonburris, Lucan will be known when a suitable site has been identified and acquired. My Department is conscious of the lead-in period for the delivery of a post-primary school and it would be anxious to conclude the site issue as soon as possible. It will continue to engage with the local authority until this matter is resolved.
- Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (19 Jun 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is awaiting confirmation from the school authorities about the extent of the school's catchment area. When the relevant information is received, the acquisition of the site for the school in question will be considered in the context of the capital budget available to my Department for school buildings generally. I am not in a position to say at this stage when the acquisition...
- Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (19 Jun 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers is currently operating in temporary accommodation on a site that is in the ownership of Co. Dublin VEC. The Department is in consultation with the VEC on the possibility of using this site, together with an additional portion of VEC lands, to cater for this school's long term accommodation needs. A study has been conducted to determine the feasibility of...
- Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (19 Jun 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: A timeframe for the delivery of the planned second level school at Clonburris, Lucan will be known when a suitable site has been identified and acquired. My Department is conscious of the lead-in period for the delivery of a post-primary school and it would be anxious to conclude the site issue as soon as possible. It will continue to engage with the local authority until this matter is...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (19 Jun 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 — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (19 Jun 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers has made an application for an additional classroom. My Department will be in contact with the school authorities as quickly as possible.
- Written Answers — National Parents' Council: National Parents' Council (18 Jun 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: My Department provides an annual core funding grant to support the work of the National Parents' Council which in 2008 is expected to amount to â¬330,000. Additional funding is provided, as required, for training of parents' associations etc. which in 2008 is expected to amount to about â¬170,000.
- Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (18 Jun 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has received an application for roof works at the school referred to by the Deputy. This application is currently being assessed and a decision on the matter will be made shortly. The school authorities will be informed of the outcome as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (18 Jun 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 (SENO) for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO...
- Written Answers — Regulatory Impact Analysis: Regulatory Impact Analysis (18 Jun 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: On the 21st June 2005 the Government decided that Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) should be introduced across all Government Departments and Offices. RIAs must be conducted on: 1. all proposals for primary legislation involving changes to the regulatory framework (subject to some exceptions) 2. significant Statutory Instruments 3. proposals for EU Directives and significant EU regulations...