Results 1,501-1,520 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. This project has a band 1.1 rating and includes the provision of an enhanced community facility in conjunction with Fingal County Council. The Stage 2a has recently been approved and the Design Team has been authorised to begin work on Stage 2(b) (Detailed Design) for submission to the...

Written Answers — Summer Works Scheme: Summer Works Scheme (16 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm to the Deputy that it is my intention to have a Summer Works Scheme in 2010. Applications for funding under the scheme have been invited from schools and these applications are currently being processed in my Department. The amount of funding to be allocated to the Summer Works Scheme in 2010 has not yet been finalised as the breakdown of funding under the various elements of...

Written Answers — Scéim Tógála Scoileanna: Scéim Tógála Scoileanna (16 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Is maith liom a chur in iúl don Teachta gur faomhadh Céim 2b (dearadh mionsonraithe), don tionscadal dá dtagraítear, ar 10ú Nollaig 2009. Eiseofar údarú chun dul ar aghaidh go dtí Céim 3 (céim na tairisceana) go gairid.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 341 to 345, inclusive, together. At the end of last year there were 247 major capital projects in architectural planning up to and including stage 4 - in construction. Currently there are 251 major capital projects in architectural planning up to and including stage 4 - in construction. These include the 25 major projects which I announced earlier this year...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (16 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The report of the Action Group on Access to Third Level Education made detailed recommendations concerning the introduction of special rates of maintenance grants for disadvantaged students. The target group of "those most in need" was defined in terms of the dependants of people receiving long-term welfare payments, where the necessary conditions are fulfilled. To qualify for the Special...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (16 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is working closely with local authorities and VECs on a number of initiatives, some of which are already leading to administrative efficiencies and alleviating some of the pressures on awarding authorities. These initiatives, which will also enhance the level of service to students, include improvements to the grant application process, the provision of advance payments for...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (16 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Renewed Programme for Government commits the Government to providing 500 teaching posts between primary and post primary levels over the next three years commencing with 200 posts in the current school year and 150 posts in each of the next two school years. Following the publication of the renewed Programme for Government my Department sought written submissions from the education...

Written Answers — Summer Works Scheme: Summer Works Scheme (16 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The closing date for the receipt of applications under the Summer Works Scheme 2010, including Water Conservation measures, was 27 November 2009. In excess of 2,300 applications were received and these are currently being sorted and logged in my Department. I will be in a position to provide a breakdown of the applications, as requested by the Deputy, when the sorting and logging is...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (16 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The level of student intake to the Colleges of Education is determined annually by my Department and it takes account of the supply of, and demand for primary teachers. The post graduate course was introduced as a response to a shortage in the supply of primary teachers. It was first provided in the 1995/96 academic year and has been repeated almost each year since then. The course has not...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (16 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The supply teacher scheme at primary level will cease from the start of the 2010/11 school year. Normal substitution arrangements which apply to primary schools generally to cover teacher absences will be used to cover substitution in those schools that participated in the scheme. From the start of the 2010/11 school year, the maximum number of uncertified sick leave days allowed in the...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (16 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware that a number of amendments to the Student Support Bill in relation to legal and policy issues which have arisen since Second Stage are being advanced by my Department in close consultation with the Office of the Attorney General. In relation to the Programme of Legislative and Administrative Reform of Student Grants, my Department engages on an on-going basis with...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The application for this project was received in my Department on 22 June 1999. Representatives from the school and the design team attended a stage 2(b) briefing which was held in my Department's office in Tullamore on 26 November. The Design Team is currently working on the documentation...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The building project for the above school is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The application was received on 22 October 2002. 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. The...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an early stage of architectural planning. The application was received on 30 August 1997. The project has been approved to progress to stage 2(a) and my Department is currently awaiting the submission of stage 2a documentation from the Design team. The proposed building project will be considered in the context of the Department's...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 389 together. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Stage 2b (detailed design), for the project referred to, was approved on 10th December 2009. Authorisation to proceed to Stage 3 (tender stage) will issue shortly.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 to 388, inclusive, together. I can confirm that the schools to which the Deputy refers have made applications to my Department for large scale capital funding. The following table shows the dates on which these applications were received. Progression of a project is determined by its prioritisation rather than date of application. In this regard, the...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (16 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The decision on eligibility for student grants is a matter for the relevant assessing authority - i.e. the Local Authority or VEC. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except, in exceptional cases, where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is required. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been...

Written Answers — Student Support Schemes: Student Support Schemes (16 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 391 and 392 together. The total number of students who have received financial assistance from the Millennium Partnership Fund in the academic year 2008-2009 in the counties listed by the Deputy are as follows County Donegal is 162. County Louth: 131 County Monaghan: 117 County Cavan: 49

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (16 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 393 and 394 together. The information requested by the Deputy is below and has been supplied to my Department by the local authorities and the Vocational Education Committees. Number of students in receipt of maintenance grant in 2008 Cavan 1,302 Donegal 3,089 Louth 1,609 Monaghan 1,219

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of carrying out detailed analysis of over 40 locations of highest population growth in order to identify the school accommodation requirements up to and including the school year 2014/2015. When the required reports have been completed for these initial areas selected the Forward Planning Section will continue to work on...