Results 7,321-7,340 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

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

Batt O'Keeffe: Under the terms of my Departments Free Fees Initiative, the Exchequer meets the cost of tuition fees of eligible students, including those from Northern Ireland and other EU Member States, who are attending approved third-level courses in the State. The main conditions are that students must be first-time undergraduates and hold E.U. nationality or official refugee status and have been...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 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, from initial design stage through to construction is dependent on the prioritisation of competing demands on the funding available under my Department's capital budget. This project has been assigned a band rating of 2.4...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 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, from initial design stage through to construction is dependent on the prioritisation of competing demands on the funding available under my Department's capital budget. This project has been assigned a band rating of 2.5...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: As a general principle, my Department does not fund or approve the employment of private detectives by schools or other bodies and institutions coming under its aegis. I am aware of a recent High Court action in which it has been alleged that the Principal of a second level school hired a private investigator to follow a teacher during the course of her work. The Deputy will appreciate that...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and my predecessor Minister Hanafin announced in March 2007 that a support and development initiative for the Irish language under the aegis of An Chomhaire um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta will be located at Coláiste Íosagáin and that four additional staff will be assigned to An Chomairle for this...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The Office of Public Works (OPW), which acts on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally, has been asked to source a suitable site for the school in question. The OPW have recently submitted a technical report on a number of proposals and an assessment of these proposals is currently with my Department for consideration and further instruction to the OPW.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a Board of Management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to the Secretary General of my Department....

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The Erasmus Programme, which emphasises student and staff mobility and European co-operation involving higher education institutions and other key players in the knowledge-based economy, is a key part of the European Commission-funded Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013. The Commission's regulations for the Erasmus Programme specify that a Government Ministry must act as the National...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: Agreement has been reached between the trustees of the three existing post-primary schools in Skibbereen to amalgamate into a single school. The Property Management Section of the Office of Public Works was requested to source a site for the development of a single school. A number of sites were identified and examined. Those considered potentially suitable for the provision of a school...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware of this Government's commitment to ensuring that all pupils, including those with special educational needs, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school settings through the primary and post-primary school network. There are now over 19,000 staff in our schools working solely with children with special needs. This includes almost...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: There was widespread consultation by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment prior to the launch of the Revised primary school curriculum in 1999. The curriculum has been implemented on a phased basis over the period to 2007 in full collaboration with the partners in education. In April 2007 a commitment was given to the Dail that my Department would progress arrangements to put...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The 68,500 students mentioned in the 2008 Annual Output Statement reflects the numbers referred to in the "Progress on Output Targets" for 2007. The cost of this provision for these students was €261.7m in 2007.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The process of appointing a design team to the school building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage. The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including the project referred to by the Deputy, will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department spent €34.6m on the rental of temporary accommodation in primary schools in 2007. This figure covers the rental of prefabricated classrooms as well as the rental of high quality buildings. The duration of the rental contracts varies according to the need for such accommodation. However, my Department has a policy that where such temporary accommodation is likely to be...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm that I am aware of the report referred to by the Deputy. As the Deputy is aware secondary schools receive funding by way of per capita grants, to meet their day-to-day running costs, including heating and lighting. There have been significant improvements in recent years in the level of funding for voluntary secondary schools. With effect from January 2008, the standard per...

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is understood that the question refers to a meeting held by my predecessor, Minister Mary Hanafin T.D., with representatives from the Second Level Schools Network on the 22nd of April 2008. The Second Level Schools Network represents nine schools all of which participate in DEIS, (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) the action plan for Educational Inclusion. DEIS focuses on...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The Modernisation and Policy Unit of my Department received an application for emergency funding from the school in question. A decision on this application will be made as soon as possible and the school authority will be advised of the outcome.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: An application was made by County Tipperary VEC (North Riding) in 2000 for an extension to the college to which the question refers. The project 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...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is in receipt of an application for major capital funding for the school to which the Deputy refers. The application was made in 1999. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage to construction phase will be considered in an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual school Building and modernisation...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The Department has received an application for refurbishment of a yard in the school referred to by the Deputy. This application is currently under consideration at present and it is expected that Department officials will be back in contact with the school authorities with a decision on this application very shortly.