Results 7,361-7,380 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246, 247, 249, 251, 252, 254, 255 and 258 together. I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of applications for large scale capital funding from the schools to which he refers. The projects have been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. Progress on the proposed works will be...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 253 together. I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of applications for large scale capital funding from the schools to which he refers. The projects have been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. Progress on the proposed works will be considered on an ongoing...
- Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (21 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: In 2007 the school in question received approval to build additional classrooms under the devolved Permanent Accommodation Scheme (PAS). The purpose of the PAS is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake building works which will address the school's long term accommodation needs. Under the terms of the Scheme, school authorities are empowered to manage these works...
- Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (21 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 — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (21 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. Question No. 258 answered with Question No. 246.
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 261 together. The projects at the schools referred to by the Deputy are at an advanced stage (Stage 2b â Detailed Design and Bill of Quantities) of the architectural planning process. As part of the Programme for Government, a Developing Areas Unit was set up recently in my Department to focus on the school accommodation needs of rapidly developing...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: An application for large scale capital funding at the school in question has been received. The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, will be considered in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing...
- Schools Patronage. (21 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The pastoral letter from the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference, Vision 08, that was published last week represents a valuable and welcome contribution to wider dialogue on the overall governance challenge that faces us in seeking to meet future school needs. The rapid pace of social and demographic change in Ireland is reflected in a radically altered and more diverse society from which our...
- Schools Patronage. (21 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: These issues have featured strongly in the ongoing structured dialogue between the Government and the churches, faith communities and non-confessional organisations in Ireland.
- Schools Patronage. (21 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: It is also my intention to hold a national conference on 27 June at which I hope Deputy Quinn will be present.
- Schools Patronage. (21 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: My apologies.
- Schools Patronage. (21 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I apologise but I wanted to mention the national conference, and we all realise the importance of that. Additional information not given on the floor of the House. It is also my intention to host a one day national conference on 27 June, involving each of the patron bodies and wider interests, to consider the governance challenge for meeting future primary education needs. The pastoral...
- Schools Patronage. (21 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The Government has been active and progressive in examining the patronage and governance in schools issue. The one day conference is an important venture in that it will bring all the stakeholders together to allow all the views and issues pertinent to this particular issue to be brought into the public domain and discussed. It does not mean, for instance, that the one day conference is the...
- Schools Patronage. (21 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I understand the schools will come under the Vocational Education Act 1930.
- Schools Patronage. (21 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I cannot answer the Deputy. I do not have that information with me. It is a question that is worthy of investigation, which I will do and revert directly to the Deputy.
- Garda Vetting Procedures. (21 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: In the education sector, vetting is currently done in respect of newly appointed teachers via the initial registration process with the Teaching Council. It is also done for prospective employees for posts that involve working with children such as special needs assistants, bus drivers, bus escorts to children with special needs, caretakers and other ancillary staff. As the expansion of...
- Garda Vetting Procedures. (21 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the Deputy for his kind wishes. There is a vetting system in place for all new appointments and all temporary appointments.
- Garda Vetting Procedures. (21 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I am concise in what I am saying. There is a vetting system in place for all new appointments and all temporary appointments. I agree with the Deputy on the roll-out of vetting for existing staff. We have been in contact with the Garda vetting unit on that matter and we are trying to build up a capacity between our Department and that unit to ensure a vetting system is put in place in that...
- Garda Vetting Procedures. (21 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: We are obviously aware of it and there will always be some level of unqualified personnel. That will occur as a result of short-term absences. It is inevitable that schools must be in a position to have recourse to unqualified personnel. My predecessor indicated her intention to bring forward amending legislation which would set the limitations on a school's capacity to engage other than...
- Garda Vetting Procedures. (21 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I cannot give the Deputy an answer to that question, but I will find out the information and report back to him.