Results 7,281-7,300 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Provisional recognition was granted to the schools to which the Deputy refers to in April 2008 to open for September 2008. The Department had envisaged that accommodation for both these schools would be provided for September 2008 at a site in the area to which the Deputy refers. However, as negotiations for site acquisition are still ongoing it is now considered unlikely that construction...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Two all-Irish schools currently serve the needs of County Kildare at post primary level. Coláiste Cois Life in Lucan and Gaelcholáiste Chill Dara in Newbridge. A multi-million Euro building project was recently completed to provide Coláiste Cois Life with permanent accommodation to cater for a long term projected enrolment of 600 pupils, to include pupils from the north Kildare area....

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Class size data for primary schools for 2007/2008 are currently being compiled by my Department and are not yet available. The source of this data is the Annual Census of Primary Schools. Data will become available when returns for all schools have been processed.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: A tender report in respect of the school to which the Deputy refers has been received by the Department. As is the case with all large capital projects currently on hand within the Unit, their progression will be considered in the context of the 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 — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The National Council for Special Education was required under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004 to make a report on the implementation of the Act. Following consideration of the issues raised in the Council's implementation plan, and the consultations to date with the Education Partners, it is envisaged that the five year timeframe to 2010 acknowledged...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Officials from my Department are still awaiting a date for receipt of the Stage 3 submission (i.e. Developed Sketch Scheme) from the school's Design Team. On receipt of this date a review meeting will be organised between the Board of Management, its Design Team and the Department to assess the submission.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers to is at early architectural planning. Officials from my Department have requested the Developed Sketch Design. On receipt of this, my Department will be in contact with the school authorities. 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 — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 208 together. The process of appointing design teams to the school building projects referred to by the Deputy is ongoing. The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including these projects, is considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project at the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at stage 3 of the architectural planning process. The Client for this project is the School Board of Management. The stage 3 submission is currently being reviewed by the Client's design team in advance of being referred to my Department for approval.

Written Answers — Psychological Service: Psychological Service (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I attach for the Deputy's information a list of primary and post-primary schools in Co. Kildare which do not have an assigned NEPS psychologist in the current academic year but who can avail of the Scheme for Commissioning of Psychological Assessment (SCPA) to have assessments carried out. Roll No. Name Address 01821V S N Rath Mór Naas, Co Kildare 07790U Churchtown N S Churchtown, Athy,...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (22 May 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 Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that written approval of the Stage 2(a) submission (Developed Sketch Scheme) issued to the design team on the project in question on 23rd April 2008. The Stage 2(b) submission (Detailed Design) is due to be submitted to my Department on 18th August 2008. The progression of this and all large capital building projects in my Department will be considered in...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Under Clause 2.2 of the Higher Education Grants Scheme 2007 and Clause 2.1 of the Vocational Education Committees' Scholarship Scheme 2007 provides: A candidate shall not be eligible to hold a grant under this Scheme if he/she holds: (i) a scholarship/grant awarded by either a Vocational Education Committee, a Local Authority or the Department of Education and Science, or (ii) any other...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The conditions of employment of the person referred to by the Deputy include leave of absence in the case of illness as outlined in Circular letter 12/05. Paid sick leave is not available within the first three months' service. Subsequently full pay may be allowed during sick absence up to the following limits: (a) after three months' continuous service, sick pay at full rate for up to six...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware of the Government's commitment to ensuring that all children with special educational needs, including those with autism, 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,...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An application for an extension to the college referred to by the Deputy 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 on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department received an application for Emergency Funding for various works from the school in question. 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 of projects seeking...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to advise the Deputy that special schools funded by my Department are intended to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year. At that point, the Department of Health and Children/Health Service Executive assumes direct responsibility for young adults with special educational...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The income limits for the 2008/09 academic year are currently being examined. It has been my Department's practice in recent years to increase the reckonable income limits under the maintenance grant schemes in line with movements in the average industrial wage in the previous year. In 2007/08 the income limits were increased by 3.5% on that basis.

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Programme for Government sets out the overarching policy position in relation to the provision of additional teachers and on reductions in class size over the life of the Government. The Programme contains a commitment to increase the number of primary teachers by at least 4000 and on that basis to make further progress on reducing class sizes. Budget 2008 provided my Department with...