Results 7,301-7,320 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (22 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 this project, from initial design stage through to construction 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 — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (22 May 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 (SENOs), for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special needs supports on the basis of applications in respect of individual pupils. The SENOs operate within the policy outlined in my Department's...

Written Answers — Cyber Bullying: Cyber Bullying (22 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can assure the Deputy that I am aware of the recent survey conducted by the Irish Independent in conjunction with RTE on the issue of "cyber bullying", through the use of the internet and mobile phones. I share the Deputy's concern that any child would feel upset in school because of bullying — be it physical, verbal or what is being termed cyber bullying and I assure him that supports...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I assume that the Deputy is referring to the European Commission's Study on Benchmarking Access and Use of ICT in European Schools, which was published following two surveys carried out in Spring 2006. The study found that 66% of Irish schools had broadband internet connections as compared with 67% of European schools generally, which ranked Ireland at number 20 of the 27 countries surveyed....

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: In 2005, 2006 and 2007, legal formalities were completed by my Department for the acquisition of 36 sites for primary schools at a cost in excess of €66m. I am arranging to have a tabular statement prepared in respect of all of the sites in question outlining the position relating to planning and construction on these and I will forward this information to the Deputy immediately. However,...

Written Answers — Public Private Partnerships: Public Private Partnerships (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has to date entered into three separate contracts to design, build, finance, maintain and operate educational accommodation under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. There are two third level projects, the National Maritime College, Cork and the Cork School of Music as well as the Pilot PPP Schools which are located in Tubbercurry, Shannon, Ballincollig, Dunmanway and...

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is assumed that this question relates to the timing of the oral examinations within the existing language subjects rather than the senior cycle curricular reforms. Discussions within a working group comprised of the partners in education have been held to explore other models of delivery of the oral examinations, in the context of concerns about maintaining the integrity of the school...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The stages of architectural planning referred to by the Deputy arise from my Department's design team procedures for the procurement of major capital projects. These are necessary to comply with Department of Finance guidelines which require that capital projects be fully designed prior to going to tender. They also ensure proper cost management of capital projects and facilitate compliance...

Written Answers — School Governance: School Governance (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Work is continuing on the practical arrangements for the one day Conference that will be held on 27 June 2008 in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. It is envisaged that the conference will accommodate approximately 200 invited delegates. These will include representatives of the main patron bodies, management bodies, the wider primary education partners and other interested parties. I can...

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (21 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...

Written Answers — School Services Staff: School Services Staff (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The purpose of the C4 provision in the Estimates is to meet the costs of salary, employer's PRSI contributions, substitution and pensions for Special Needs Assistants in primary schools. The costs of salary, employers contributions and pension costs of the caretakers and clerical officers employed in primary schools under a scheme introduced in 1978 are also met from the sub-head. Special...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: All 13 Visiting Teachers for the Visually Impaired currently employed are fully qualified and probated primary or second-level teachers with at least two years teaching experience, the minimum qualification for appointment to the post of Visiting Teacher. In appointing Visiting Teachers for the Visually Impaired, preference may be given to applicants who hold additional qualifications...

Written Answers — Schools Recognition: Schools Recognition (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The New Schools Advisory Committee was established to assess applications for the recognition of new primary schools and to make recommendations to the Minister. An application for recognition, from September 2008, of the new school to which the Deputy refers was received by the New Schools Advisory Committee. As the proposed school was deemed to meet the general criteria for new primary...

Written Answers — Schools Recognition: Schools Recognition (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 116 together. The New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC) was established in 2002 on foot of recommendations of the Commission on School Accommodation on a non-statutory basis. The Committee is charged with making recommendations to me in relation to applications received for new Primary schools using a set of published criteria. Under Section 10 of the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The development of the proposed building project for the school in question is at an early stage. The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including the application in question, will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in...

Written Answers — School Management: School Management (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Members of religious orders, including representatives of the Christian Brothers, have kept my Department advised from time to time on the evolution of Trust Boards in their sector and the work they were engaged in to secure the future of the schools concerned. My Department is aware also that the Christian Brothers kept the relevant stakeholders, such as the management and teaching...

Written Answers — School Funding: School Funding (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am aware of the funding pressures on schools generally and also of the recent submission on this matter by the Primary Management Bodies to the Joint Committee on Education and Science. It is a key priority for Government to improve funding for the day-to-day running costs of schools to help address these funding pressures. Specific commitments in relation to improving school funding form a...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware, a number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004 have been commenced, principally those establishing the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and those promoting an inclusive approach to the education of children with special needs. Specifically, the following sections have been commenced — 1, 2,...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: In accordance with the Programme for Government, my Department has established a Developing Areas Unit to identify areas of rapid population growth, assess the educational needs in these areas and plan solutions for the accommodation needs identified. As part of a fast-track programme of construction for September 2008, my Department is building five 16-classroom primary schools, 25...

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Under the terms of my Department's Free Fees Initiative the exchequer meets the tuition fees of full-time eligible undergraduate students. Third level Institutions have a Student Services Charge which is levied by the institutions to defray the costs of normal examinations, registration and student services. This charge does not cover the costs associated with the setting, administering and...