Results 7,501-7,520 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Medical Education: Medical Education (13 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: A programme of reform and expansion of undergraduate medical education and training commenced in 2006 following the acceptance by the Government of the report entitled "Medical Education in Ireland A new Direction" ( the Fottrell Report) published jointly by the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Education and Science. The measures being implemented under the programme...

Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (13 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Over the seven years of the NDP €13 billion will be invested under the Human Capital Priority to develop the capacity of the higher education sector to meet a number of key national objectives, including that of increasing the numbers of students participating in the sector. Levels of mature student participation have seen an unprecedented growth from just 4.5% of full-time new entrants...

Written Answers — UNESCO Property: UNESCO Property (13 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Director-General of UNESCO, in his report to the Executive Board of UNESCO on this issue, did not set out which books were destroyed nor did he specifically state what actions the Secretariat would be putting in place to prevent a re-occurrence. I have directed my officials to request further information from UNESCO, through Ireland's Permanent Representation to the Organisation in...

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (13 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Under my Department's Free Fees Initiative the Exchequer meets the tuition fees of eligible students, including those from Northern Ireland and other EU Member States, who are attending approved undergraduate third-level courses in the State. There are no plans to extend this initiative to cover third level institutions in Northern Ireland. Under my Department's Higher Education Grant...

Written Answers — Teaching Qualifications: Teaching Qualifications (13 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The recognition and registration of teachers in Ireland is a function of the Teaching Council. The Teaching Council is obliged to establish and maintain a register of teachers and this database is capable of providing statistics on registered teachers in various disciplines and sectors and on the qualifications of registered teachers. However, it is not possible to provide the information...

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (13 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: One of the four funding measures that have been approved for support under the 2008 Dormant Account Fund Educational Disadvantage Programme is a scheme to enable up to 22 DEIS Urban Band 1 Schools in Limerick City to open after school hours. A total of €1.7m has been allocated to the scheme. This scheme had been developed as part of my Department's response to the education-related...

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (13 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware, the announcement of 28th March last indicated that details of the schemes under the Dormant Accounts Fund and Rapid Leverage Fund would be announced at a future date. In relation to the Fund to assist up to 100 DEIS schools achieve Digital School Status, my officials are finalising the scheme arrangements with the National Centre for Technology in Education and I...

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (13 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Among the priority funding measures approved for support in 2006/2007 under the Educational Disadvantage category of the Dormant Account Fund and the RAPID Leverage Fund was a scheme addressing educational infrastructure in disadvantaged schools. Eligibility for the scheme was restricted to primary and post primary schools participating in my Department's DEIS programme, schools in, or...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (13 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at a very advanced stage of the architectural planning process. 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. It is not...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (13 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is proposed to provide an extension to the school to which the Deputy refers. Revised schedules of accommodation have been forwarded to the VEC for acceptance. Once the schedules have been accepted, the question of the appointment of the design team will arise and this will be considered in the context of the Department's school building and modernisation programme.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (13 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Agreement has been reached to provide permanent accommodation for the school to which the Deputy refers on a V.E.C. owned site. The site was recently master planned to ascertain if it would be feasible to facilitate both this school and two other all-Irish schools on the site. With the completion of the masterplan, progress on the project can now be considered in the context of my...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (13 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers is currently operating in temporary accommodation on a site that is in the ownership of Co. Dublin VEC. The Department is in consultation with the VEC on the possibility of using this site, together with an additional portion of VEC lands, to cater for this school's long term accommodation needs. A study has been conducted to determine the feasibility...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (13 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware from Minister Hanafin's recent announcement that Educate Together was granted provisional recognition to establish the school referred to. The Department intends to provide accommodation for that school on lands currently in the process of being acquired in Lucan, Co. Dublin. My Department in the context of Lucan's rapidly developing status is providing as phase I,...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (13 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Newly established schools are generally required to undergo a period of provisional recognition, during which the operation of the school and the growth of pupil numbers are monitored. Among the factors to be considered is the long-term viability of the school, current and projected enrolments and suitability of accommodation. During the period of provisional recognition, it is the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (13 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Department is exploring as an option the provision of a new building on the existing school site. The further progression of the acquisition of the site and the associated building project will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. It is not possible at this stage to indicate when a new school building will be available.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (13 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: A grant was sanctioned in March 2007 to enable the management authority of the school in question to extend and modernise their school. This 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. I understand that construction is due to commence during the summer holidays...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (13 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: A grant was sanctioned in March 2007 for the school in question to enable the management authority 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. I understand that construction work is due to commence in the next few weeks...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (13 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The National Development Plan provides for investment of €252m in a comprehensive new ICT in Schools strategy over the period of the plan from 2007-2013. The new strategy will address the upgrading and renewal of hardware, the provision of software and digital content for learning, teacher professional development, curriculum development, the maintenance of the national broadband network...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (13 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An application for capital funding towards the provision of an extension has been received from the school in question. An assessment of projected enrolment trends, demographic trends and housing developments in the area was carried out in order to inform the determination of the long term projected staffing on which the school's accommodation needs will be based. This has been finalised and...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (13 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An application for capital funding towards the provision of a new school building has been received from the Management Authority of the school referred to by Deputy. Applications for large scale capital funding are assessed and banded in accordance with published prioritisation criteria. These criteria were agreed following consultation with the Education Partners. The progression of...