Results 7,661-7,680 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (8 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm to the Deputy that an application has been received from the school in question for large scale capital funding. 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 context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and...

Written Answers — Schools Amalgamation: Schools Amalgamation (8 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The schools to which the Deputy refers made certain requests of my Department for capital works in the context of an amalgamation negotiation. They have not, otherwise, completed a formal application for funding for major works. Any application from the schools for major refurbishment works will be ssessed in accordance with the relevant governing criteria which treat all applications in an...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (8 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy is aware my Department is currently working on compiling a database of the information he has requested. Work on this database is underway as part of a general review of rental policy being undertaken. Information will be collated on approximately 900 schools which have received approval from the Department to rent temporary accommodation, including but not limited to prefabs....

Written Answers — School Statistics: School Statistics (8 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: There are 3,286 primary schools (3160 ordinary schools and 126 special schools). The Deputy will appreciate that the total number of schools will vary from year to year on account of closures, amalgamations and new school openings. In this regard I recently announced the opening of 22 new schools with effect from September next. The 22 new schools include: 12 Multi-Denominational, 5...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (8 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers has not submitted an application to my Department for capital funding towards the provision of additional accommodation. If schools feel that they don't have sufficient places to meet demand, including this school, they should contact my Department so that the situation can be examined as to how best to provide whatever additional capacity is required....

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (8 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Minister of State for Integration Policy, appointed under the previous Government, was responsible for integration policy functions in my Department relating to the following. Ensuring that the range of education policies across different areas of the Department and the bodies under its aegis take account of the need to integrate immigrants and their families, in particular in relation...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (8 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Education legislation requires that the diversity of educational provision in the State is taken account of, and the right of parents to send their children to a school of their choice is respected under Section 30 of the Education Act 1998, no student can be required to attend instruction in any subject which is contrary to the onscience of the parent of the student. The Rules for National...

Written Answers — Third Level Qualifications: Third Level Qualifications (8 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The number of PhD graduates for the seven universities from 2000 to 2006 is outlined in the following table. PhD graduates from the Institutes of Technology will increase this number to over 950 for 2006. The numbers for 2007 are not yet available. However, indications are that the number of PhD graduates from state funded higher education institutions will be approximately 1,000. Combined...

Written Answers — Early School Leavers: Early School Leavers (8 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: In the region of €730 million will be spent by my Department this year on tackling educational disadvantage at all levels from pre-school to further and higher education. This represents an increase of over 60% and is testament to the Government's determination to prioritise social inclusion and ensure that all our children and young people get the supports they need to do well at school....

Written Answers — Education Schemes: Education Schemes (8 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is aware of the document referred to by the Deputy. Eligibility for the Back to Education Allowance and associated payments is determined and administered by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to encourage and facilitate people on certain social welfare payments to improve...

Written Answers — Legal Costs: Legal Costs (8 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse was established under statute to investigate child abuse in institutions in the State, to enable persons who have suffered such abuse to give evidence to committees of the Commission and to prepare and publish a report of findings and recommendations considered appropriate for the alleviation of the effects of past child abuse and for the protection...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (8 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The final legal transfer of title is currently under way in respect of a site purchased by the Department for the provision of a new school referred to by the Deputy. The Department is currently examining the feasibility of allowing this school proceed in the 3rd Bundle of Public-Private Partnership projects which I will be announcing later this year. The indicative timeframe for the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (8 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: To date, my Department has incurred costs of €34,830 in connection with the relocation of the posts forming the Athlone element of the programme of decentralisation. This relocation of posts is underway at present and I expect this to be complete by the end of June. The agencies under the aegis of my Department have reported incurring costs of €15,902 in connection with the...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (30 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the Senator for the opportunity to set out the position on this scheme. The Rathowen sewerage scheme has been approved for funding under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 as a scheme to advance through planning at an estimated cost of €1.9 million. The scheme is one of a total of 19 water services projects being progressed in County Westmeath at present....

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (30 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Capital funding of €49.656 million is provided in the 2008 Revised Estimates for Public Services for the combined funding of the Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability. This represents the amount available for recoupment to local authorities in respect of individual grants paid under the Schemes. The Housing Aid for Older People Scheme is funded by 80%...

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (30 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Notification of combined capital allocations for 2008 in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Schemes will shortly issue to local authorities. It is a matter for local authorities to decide on the level of funding to be provided for the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme in their area, from within the combined allocation notified to them by...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (29 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Ballymun Regeneration Project has been the subject of a special examination by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Report prepared on foot of this examination, which was published in March 2008, details the range of factors which have influenced the cost and timescale for this largescale regeneration programme. The report is available on the Comptroller and Auditor General's...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (29 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Section 25 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007 provides that Rent Supplement "shall not be payable in respect of a person's residence where his or her residence is situated in an area notified to the Minister for Social and Family Affairs by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government as being an area of regeneration for the purpose of providing for greater social...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (29 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Government's housing policy aims to ensure that there is a broad range of housing options available to match the diversity of housing need. This includes options to improve the affordability of renting for low-income groups and provide paths to home ownership, where appropriate. The supply of affordable housing has consistently increased over the past few years from about 2,000 units...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (29 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 459 and 474 together. My Department operates a number of schemes designed to assist people with a disability, including those in employment, with their accommodation needs. The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability Scheme, which is administered by local authorities, assists in the provision/adaptation of accommodation to meet the needs of...