Results 1,561-1,580 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Schools Amalgamation: Schools Amalgamation (15 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware that the amalgamation of the schools in question was agreed in principle a number of years ago. Officials from my Department have met with the Trustees of the schools to discuss an offer by the Diocesan Trust of a site for purchase in relation to the proposed amalgamation. The acquisition of the site for the schools in question will be considered in the context of...

Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Scheme: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (15 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The issue of including Bethany Home in the redress scheme has previously been considered but it was decided it should not be included. My Department is examining further information submitted to it in relation to Bethany Home together with a renewed request for its inclusion. This examination will be completed as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (15 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. Planning permission was granted in November. Representatives from the VEC, the school and the design team attended a stage 2(b) briefing which was held in my Department Offices in Tullamore on 9 December 2009. The school has now been authorised to progress to stage 2b (detailed design). The proposed...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (15 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is my Department's policy not to build on flood plains. I am not aware of any new schools in the Dublin area that are being built on flood plains.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (15 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The position in relation to the 78 school projects announced to go to tender and construction in 2009 is as follows: 7 projects have reached practical completion, 21 projects are currently under construction, 30 projects are at tender and the remaining 20 projects are pre-tender. I expect that up to 5 further projects will commence on site before the end of 2009. The balance of the projects...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (15 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The number of persons who are on regular teaching contracts of employment within primary and secondary/community/comprehensive schools and are being paid at the untrained rate are as follows: Primary 129 Post Primary 33 Contracts of employment are sometimes offered to teachers pending verification of their qualifications with the Teaching Council. On receipt of this verification, their...

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (15 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Inspectorate conducted a thematic evaluation of the provision for English as an Additional Language (EAL) in 30 primary schools and 15 post-primary schools in 2008. Each school was issued with an individual report setting out the findings and recommendations relating to EAL provision in the school. General findings and conclusions from this evaluation activity have been included as part...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (15 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 407 and 408 together. The level of extra teaching support provided in respect of language support to any school is determined by the numbers of eligible pupils enrolled and the associated assessed levels of these pupils' language proficiency. This is done through an annual application process in the Spring/Summer of each year. Following on from the Government...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (15 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...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (15 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to advise the Deputy that the Cashel and Emly Diocesan Trust Limited, is the full owner of the property referred to by the Deputy. My Department holds a 99 year lease on the property.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (15 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy is aware, we have not yet reached the end of the financial year so the final position regarding capital expenditure in the primary and post-primary sector is not yet known. However, as previously indicated, I expect that schools' capital expenditure in 2009 will be less than the corresponding allocation. I have discussed the matter with the Minister for Finance and agreement...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (15 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 412 and 413 together. Under the student maintenance grant schemes, students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for financial assistance where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to residence, means, age, nationality and previous academic attainment. For student grants purposes, students are categorised according to their...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (10 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. Representatives from the school and its design team recently attended a briefing by my Department on the requirements for completing stage 2(b) of architectural planning, following which the project was approved to progress to stage 2(b). The proposed building project will be considered in...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (10 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Under the terms of my Department's student grant and free fees schemes, students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants and free tuition fees where they satisfy the prescribed conditions of the individual schemes, including those relating to means, residency, nationality and previous academic attainment. In general, students who previously pursued a...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (10 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm that the Department has received an application under the Summer Works Scheme from the school to which the Deputy refers. Following an assessment process, projects will be selected for funding from all valid and approved applications on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria published with the Scheme. In keeping with the timetable published with the...

Written Answers — School Textbooks: School Textbooks (10 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department does not approve or prescribe types of textbook or workbook to be used by schools. I can assure the Deputy that I have consistently urged schools to implement book rental schemes, which are the most effective means of lowering costs for parents and ensuring that books are recycled. Decisions on which books to use are taken at school level. School authorities have been advised...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (10 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can inform the Deputy that the school in question has applied to the National Council Special Education for an SNA. The Special Educational Needs Organiser will advise the school of the outcome of the application once it has been fully considered.

Written Answers — Home-School Liaison Scheme: Home-School Liaison Scheme (10 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The home tuition scheme provides funding to parents to provide education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting a suitable educational placement. Home tuition grants are paid to the parents, who in turn make payment to the home tuition...

Written Answers — Teaching Qualifications: Teaching Qualifications (10 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Colleges of Education accept students of all faiths and none on the Bachelor of Education programmes. Places on the programme are allocated, in the main, through the CAO system. While actual course content varies from college to college, the B.Ed prepares students to teach in a range of school settings and this is reflected in teaching practice placements and in the content of the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (10 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school referred to by the Deputy was approved €120,000 in grant-aid for the replacement of a prefab with a permanent classroom in 2008. The project was completed and the funding issued in 2008. Earlier this year the school was approved for further funding, this time under the Emergency Works Scheme, to replace some of the school windows. These works have also been completed and the...