Results 7,181-7,200 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (28 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 265 to 314, inclusive, together. There is currently no requirement for primary schools to submit copies of itemised bills to my Department. Section 18 of the Education Act, 1998 and Section 19 of "The Constitution of Boards and Rules of Procedure" handbook sets out the responsibilities of boards of management for maintaining school accounts. I am aware of the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (28 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has received an application for major capital funding for the school to which the Deputy refers. The school in question has not been selected for designation as a developing area school. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage to construction phase will be considered in an ongoing basis in the context of my...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (28 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is the policy of my Department to ensure that payments due to companies in respect of services, including those referred to by the Deputy, are made as expeditiously as possible. The Deputy will appreciate that queries may arise in specific cases that need to be resolved before payments can issue. These may arise in cases in which invoice amounts differ from the amount approved by my...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (28 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department received an application for funding under the emergency works scheme from the schools in question. A decision on the application will be made as soon as possible and the schools will be advised of the outcome.

Written Answers — Summer Works Scheme: Summer Works Scheme (28 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Over 3,000 projects, costing in excess of €300 million, have been completed since the Summer Works Scheme was introduced in 2004. With so many smaller projects having been completed over the past few years, my Department is focusing on delivering as many large projects as possible in 2008. Accordingly, there is no Summer Works Scheme for 2008. However, it is intended to have a Summer...

Written Answers — University Recognition: University Recognition (28 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Applications have been received from three 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 programmes,...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (28 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The first meeting of the Appeal Board for Mainstream Staffing in primary schools took place on 20 May, 2008 at which an appeal on behalf of the school in question was heard. I understand that the Appeal Board deferred a decision on the appeal application pending receipt of further information. When this process has been completed the Board of Management will be notified of the outcome of the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (28 May 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 the this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered on an ongoing basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of...

Written Answers — Student Support Schemes: Student Support Schemes (28 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The student services charge is levied by third level institutions to defray the costs of examinations, registration and students services. The charge, which is €825 in the current academic year, does not represent the total allocation towards student services from institutions' budgets. As the Institutions are autonomous, they determine the internal disbursal of funding, including funding...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (28 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is issued to all primary schools each year. Data submitted to my Department by the Board of Management of the school referred to by the...

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am back to hear the Deputy.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I gave the House the figures last night.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy heard my speech last night. He is deliberately misleading the House.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: As I stated last night, if the finances are available we will examine the issue.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy asked me a question and I am simply giving an answer.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (27 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations including organising the holding of examinations and determining procedures in places where examinations are conducted including the supervision of examinations. In view of this I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 May 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 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 competing demands on the capital budget of the Department,...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school in question is SN Cronain Naofa, Dromakeenan, Co Offaly. The further progression of the project will be considered on an ongoing basis 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 — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school in question is the Convent of Mercy National School, Borris-in-Ossory, Co Laois. The further progression of the project will be considered on an ongoing basis 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...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (27 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: 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 to a staffing schedule which is issued to all primary schools each year. Data submitted to my Department by the Board of Management of the school referred to by the...