Results 1,781-1,800 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — School Funding: School Funding (17 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I understand that the information requested by the Deputy relates to post-primary schools only and that the Deputy does not require information on teacher salaries for individual schools. I wish to advise the Deputy that the names, addresses and enrolment details for all second level schools in the 2008/09 school year are available on my Department's website, under the Education Provider...

Written Answers — Third Level Education: Third Level Education (17 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The rationale for the introduction of bursaries would be to address a perceived lack of interest on the part of students in undertaking programmes in particular disciplines. Some €2.5 million per annum is allocated to the Discover Science and Engineering programme, funded by Forfás, to promote the take up of science, engineering and technology in schools and colleges, as well as an...

Written Answers — Third Level Education: Third Level Education (17 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Government's Framework for Building Ireland's Smart Economy committed to the expansion of summer schools in science and engineering with an emphasis on innovation and commercialisation. As the Deputy may be aware, there is currently a substantial calendar of summer schools in place across higher education institutions, targeted at both second-level and primary level pupils. Summer...

Written Answers — Third Level Education: Third Level Education (17 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The BT young scientist competition has been expanded this year to include a new business programme that will provide selected students with the opportunity to develop the business knowledge they need to turn their innovative ideas into commercial opportunities. The new programme creates a forum for 40 students to be mentored by leading executives and professionals from BT, IBM, Intel,...

Written Answers — Inservice Training: Inservice Training (17 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Since 2003 the Leadership Development for Schools Programme (LDS) has expanded the range of supports and services that it offers to school leaders and over 10,000 teachers from principals to middle managers have successfully completed LDS module programmes such as Misneach, Spreagadh, Forbairt, Tánáiste, Cumasú and Cothú. This investment has now led us to a point where there are...

Written Answers — Irish Language Schools: Irish Language Schools (17 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Apart from a small number of prescribed texts at second-level, mainly in the case of language subjects, decisions on which textbooks to use in first and second-level schools are taken at school level. My Department does not generally approve, commission, sponsor or endorse educational text-books. Books are commissioned and published by educational publishers, and schools select their books...

Written Answers — School Placement: School Placement (17 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I have attached, for the Deputy's information, the most up-to-date list of post primary schools providing the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme and located in the vicinity of the address of the parent in question. The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools. Under section 15 (2) (d) of the Education Act 1998, each...

Written Answers — Capital Expenditure Programme: Capital Expenditure Programme (17 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The published expenditure figures for the end of October 2009 show that my Department's capital expenditure on primary and post-primary level schools is €367.728 million, which is €112 million behind the profiled, or projected, figure to the end of October. My Department's total budget in 2009 for primary, post-primary and third level capital is €841 million. Expenditure on the large...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (17 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware that a number of amendments to the 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. The Bill makes provision for the transfer of responsibility for student grants to the VEC sector. In the existing budgetary situation, resources are not...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (17 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers has submitted additional information in respect of their application for language support. My Department is in communication with the school in relation to this further information and will make a final decision on the school's application at the earliest opportunity.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (17 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: In October 2000, architectural planning commenced for an extension project at the school to which the Deputy refers. The proposed project consisted of 3 mainstream classrooms, the conversion of the 3 existing mainstream classrooms into ancillary accommodation and a General Purpose Room. This school's building project was selected to progress and announced under the Permanent Accommodation...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (17 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension project. The application has been assessed in accordance with published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects and assigned a band 1 rating. The progression of all large scale projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase...

Written Answers — Denominational Schools: Denominational Schools (17 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to reassure the Deputy that I, along with my colleagues in Government, recognise the importance of ensuring that students from a Protestant background can attend a school that reflects their denominational ethos. I have emphasised that the Government decided to continue to provide the Block Grant, which was increased this year. It is targeted as a support to individual pupils to...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (17 Nov 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 — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (17 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Following the submission by the school of revised and compliant tender and associated documentation, this project was authorised to proceed to tender in September and a Tender Report is due to be submitted to my Department shortly. Following the receipt of this tender report, subject to everything being in order, my Department will authorise the Board of Management to initiate the process to...

Written Answers — Physical Education Facilities: Physical Education Facilities (17 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding towards a PE Hall and extension/refurbishment project. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a Band 2 rating. Information in respect of the current school building...

Written Answers — Schools Patronage: Schools Patronage (17 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 494 and 497 together. In recent talks between Officials from my Department and representatives from Educate Together there was a wide-ranging and constructive discussion about the issues surrounding Educate Together's application to become a patron at second level. In this context my Department is currently considering a number of broad policy issues relating...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (17 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers is currently sharing a purpose built facility with another school. It is my Department's intention to permanently accommodate the school in its own accommodation. With this in mind, my officials have been in discussions with the Local Authority on the matter. The development of this accommodation will be considered in the context of the capital budget...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (17 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a Board of Management of a school refuses enrolment to a student. A Section 29 appeal recently took place in respect of a refusal to enrol this child to a school in Leixlip. This appeal was not upheld. Only where an appeal under Section 29 is upheld can the Secretary General of my Department direct a school to...

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (12 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Question 105: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will expedite payment of a redundancy payment to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [41152/09]