Results 7,141-7,160 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Pharmacy Graduates: Pharmacy Graduates (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The HEA published a study on the demand and need for graduates in Pharmacy in November 1999. The study was undertaken on behalf of the HEA by Peter Bacon and Associates, Economic Consultants. At the time, the only course was in Trinity College Dublin and provided 70 graduates per annum. The Bacon report recommended that at least 50 extra graduates per annum would be required to fill the...

Written Answers — Third Level Qualifications: Third Level Qualifications (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: All fully qualified post-primary teachers in Voluntary Secondary, Community and Comprehensive schools are in receipt of a primary degree and post-graduate qualification allowance. Two thousand six hundred and forty serving teachers are in receipt of a Masters Degree allowance, and two hundred and fifty five serving teachers are in receipt of PhD allowances. One hundred and thirty nine...

Written Answers — Departmental Projects: Departmental Projects (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The information sought by the Deputy is being compiled by officials in my Department and will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has implemented a range of measures aimed at improving outcomes in Irish language learning and proficiency. One of these measures was the establishment of a subject-specific support service for second-level schools. The service forms part of the Second Level Support (SLSS) which provides programme and subject specific curricular support, and support for teaching and learning...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 336 and 337 together. The assessment of Irish for the Junior Certificate includes provision for an optional oral examination which is conducted by the class teacher in accordance with guidelines issued by the State Examinations Commission. The decision on whether, or not, to avail of this option is taken at school level. The syllabus for Junior Certificate...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has implemented a range of measures aimed at improving outcomes in relation to Irish language learning and its proficiency. The Tús Maith initiative at primary level currently has thirty one cuiditheoirí on the team. The dual purposes are to improve the teaching of Irish and to improve teachers competence and confidence in the Irish language. Tús Maith cuiditheoir provide a...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware of my Department's commitment to ensuring that all children including those with special needs can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. This facilitates access to individualised education programmes, fully qualified professional teachers, special needs assistants and...

Written Answers — Schools Amalgamation: Schools Amalgamation (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware an agreement was reached by the respective Patrons to rationalise provision of post-primary provision in the Tuam area to establish a single girls' school. The OPW have received a proposal for a site for the school which is currently with my Department for consideration and further instruction to the OPW. The further consideration of the site acquisition will be...

Written Answers — Teacher Training: Teacher Training (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The three part time education centres in the Gaeltacht areas of Dingle, Conamara & Arainn and Gortahork have been allocated funding of €8,889 each for 2008. In addition to this funding a part-time administration post has been sanctioned for each of the three full-time centres whose catchment area encompasses the three part time teacher education centres in the Gaeltacht namely Tralee,...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The responsibility for the recruitment and employment of individual special needs assistants is a matter for each school authority. The appointment procedures are outlined in Circular 03/03 — copy set out below. The current educational requirements specify that candidates for appointment to the post of special needs assistant must have been awarded Grade D (or pass) at least, in Irish,...

Written Answers — School Funding: School Funding (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: There is no record in my Department of an application from the school referred to by the Deputy for funding for the works in question.

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: In general, the Office of Public Works (OPW) procures sites on behalf of my Department. In certain circumstances my Department liaises directly with landowners on the acquisition of sites. More recently, my Department has begun interacting directly with several local authorities in relation to acquiring sites, particularly in rapidly developing areas. My Department in communications, in...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 345 and 347 together. In certain circumstances, particularly in rapidly developing areas where the provision of additional school places are required urgently, my Department may request a landowner to enter into a Building Licence Agreement to allow for the construction of a school pending the finalisation of the conveyancing process. To date, in respect of...

Written Answers — : (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy may be aware, the Department is progressing the acquisition of a number of sites under the Fingal School Model Agreement. The Fingal School Model is an agreement reached with Fingal County Council and is a partnership approach to fast-track the delivery of schools and community facilities throughout the Fingal Area. The intention is that the agreed approach will match the rapid...

Written Answers — Teachers' Remuneration: Teachers' Remuneration (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department. 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...

Written Answers — Schools Recognition: Schools Recognition (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm that my Department is in receipt of a submission from the patron body to which he refers for the establishment of a new secondary school in County Cork. This submission is currently being examined and my Department will be in touch with the proposers on completion of the examination. The submission for establishment of the new school will be considered in the overall context of...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school referred to by the Deputy has experienced an increase in enrolments in recent years; however, it is not considered to be in a rapidly developing area. A tender report for the project is currently under examination by 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...

Written Answers — Educational Projects: Educational Projects (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The proposal from Co. Westmeath VEC to which the Deputy refers was considered by officials of my Department and funding was not approved. This decision was upheld on appeal, and my Department wrote to the Chief Executive Officer on 26 May 2008 advising him of the position.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Under the terms of my Department's Third Level Maintenance Grant Schemes, which are administered on behalf of my Department by the Local Authorities and the Vocational Education Committees, the provision is that, students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to age, residence, means, nationality and previous...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (4 Jun 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 353 and 354 together. As part of the multi-annual school building programme, the Government has invested heavily in the modernisation of school facilities throughout the country including science facilities in post-primary schools. Provision of science facilities is an intrinsic part of many school building projects at post-primary level. Typically this...