Results 7,461-7,480 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (20 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm to the Deputy that an application has been received from the school to which he refers for large scale capital funding. The development of the proposed project is at an advanced stage. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered on an ongoing basis in the context of my...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (20 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware of my Department's commitment to ensuring that all children including those with special needs 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, special needs assistants and...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (20 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 requested to source a suitable site for the school in question. On foot of advertising a number of proposals were received and an assessment of the proposals is currently with my Department for consideration and further instruction to the OPW.

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (20 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An application for capital funding towards the provision of an extension has been assessed and the long term projected staffing, on which the schools future accommodation needs has been determined. In order to determine how best to provide for the school's accommodation needs, it will be necessary to have a technical assessment of the existing buildings carried out. This will be considered...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (20 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I will arrange for an official from my Department to contact the Deputy directly regarding this matter.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (20 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Stage 3 documentation for the project referred to by the Deputy is currently being examined by my Department's Technical Staff. The progression of all large scale building projects, including 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...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (20 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am aware of the benefits to schools deriving from the Summer Works Scheme. Since the scheme was introduced in 2004, over 3,000 projects costing in excess of €300 million have been completed. 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...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (20 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware the July Education Programme is available to all special schools and mainstream primary schools with special classes catering for children with autism who choose to extend their education services through the month of July. My Department also provides for a July Programme for pupils with a severe/profound general learning disability. My Department encourages all...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (20 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm to the Deputy that an application for additional accommodation for the school in question has been received. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme....

Written Answers — School Placement: School Placement (20 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 446 to 448, inclusive, together. The compulsory school starting age in a National School is 6 years of age. Enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools and my Department does not seek to intervene in decisions made by schools in such matters. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (20 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 allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE also has a research function and part of this remit is to advise my Department on policy matters upon...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (20 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The number of civil servants who have worked in the Constituency Offices of Ministers for Education and Science and Ministers of State at my Department are as follows: Minister for Education 1997-2002: 4 civil servants Minister for Education 2002 to date: 3.5 civil servants Minister of State 1997-1998: 2.5 civil servants Minister of State 1998 to date: 3 civil servants The number of civil...

Written Answers — Education Welfare Service: Education Welfare Service (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) as the national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the Board are to ensure that each child attends a recognised school...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An application from the school referred to by the Deputy for a large scale building project has been assessed in accordance with my Department's published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects. Following on from a technical visit by officials of my Department the Patron has confirmed the availability of additional lands for a new school building. Further progression of this...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The information requested by the Deputy is currently being compiled and will be sent to him shortly.

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: A grant was sanctioned in March 2006 to enable the management authority of the school in question to extend and modernise their school. The scheme allows Boards of Management to address their accommodation and building priorities with a guaranteed amount of funding and gives them control of the building project. The Board of Management submitted an appeal for additional funding to cover...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The proposed project for the schools in question is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. 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.

Written Answers — School Planning Provision: School Planning Provision (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The position generally is that decisions in relation to the future of a school are in the first instance a matter for the Patron and Trustees of the school concerned. The long-term future of the school in question will be dependent on its enrolment trends and the demographics and overall school planning provision in the area. My Department will continue to keep an overview of trends in the area.

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I regret that it was not possible to fully collate the information which the Deputy has requested in the time available. I will respond directly to the Deputy as soon as the information is ready.

Written Answers — Vocational Education Committees: Vocational Education Committees (15 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school referred to by the Deputy is one of 27 new schools to be provided under my Departments PPP Programme. The First Bundle consisting of four post-primary schools — two in Co. Laois and two in Co. Offaly — are in procurement and are likely, subject to the successful completion of the Local Authority Planning process, to go to construction this year. The Second Bundle, consisting...