Results 1,821-1,840 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (11 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: A major capital project at the school to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. 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 the Department's capital budget. The proposed...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (11 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm that my Department has received an application for major capital funding for the provision of an ASD Unit for the school referred to by the Deputy. The application has been assessed and has been assigned a band 1.2 rating under the prioritisation criteria for large scale projects. The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria,...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (11 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 264 to 267, inclusive, together. Information in relation to the current school building programme along with all eligible applications for major capital works, including primary and post primary projects in County Mayo as referred to by the Deputy, are now available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. The following table shows the relevant extract...

Written Answers — Stádas Scoile: Stádas Scoile (11 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Tá socrú déanta agam go ndéanfaidh oifigeach de chuid mo Roinne teagmháil leis an Teachta maidir leis na ceisteanna a ardaíodh sa Cheist.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (11 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. It is one of over 130 projects which are similarly advanced. The aggregate value of these projects will be dependent on market conditions at the time each will go to tender. This project has a priority band rating of 2.4. Details of all projects in architectural planning along with their respective...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (11 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has recently issued Co Donegal VEC with approval to proceed to seek tenders for this project to provide a new school building.

Written Answers — Teaching Qualifications: Teaching Qualifications (11 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy is aware, five State funded Colleges of Education offer the Bachelor of Education for primary teaching. Hibernia College, a private on-line college, and four of the State funded Colleges of Education also offer a post graduate conversion course. These qualifications have been fully recognised by my Department for teaching in the primary sector. The recognition of teacher...

Written Answers — Higher Education Reform: Higher Education Reform (11 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The process to develop a new national strategy for higher education is being led by a high level Strategy Group under the Chairmanship of Dr Colin Hunt. The group has met on seven occasions since its establishment in February 2009. A vibrant responsive higher education system will be crucially important in terms of Ireland's future development and the Strategy Group are cognisant of the need...

Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Scheme: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (10 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Following publication of the Ryan Report, this House passed a unanimous motion on 28th May, 2009 calling on the congregations to commit to making further substantial contributions by way of reparation, in the context of discussions with the State, including to a Trust to be set up and managed by the State for the support of victims and to other education and welfare purposes. The Taoiseach...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (10 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: There are various arrangements in place at primary and post-primary level that facilitate the sharing of posts between schools in areas such as resource teaching posts, home school liaison co-ordinator posts, Guidance Counsellor posts etc. The sharing of resources is also encouraged through the curricular concession process which enables priority to be given to applications for curriculum...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy is aware, the school to which he refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding. 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 programme along with all assessed applications for major...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (10 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 — Radon Gas Levels: Radon Gas Levels (10 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department undertook a Radon Remediation Programme, commencing in 1998 when it commissioned the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) to conduct a survey of radon levels in all primary and post primary schools. The programme involved surveying radon levels in schools and carrying out mitigation works where appropriate. The Radon Remediation Programme is administrated by...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Status: Disadvantaged Status (10 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 442, 491 and 492 together. The Government allocated €1m in March 2008 from the Dormant Accounts Educational Disadvantage Programme for a scheme to assist 100 disadvantaged schools to progress towards achieving Digital Schools Status, this was subsequently increased to €1.6m in December, 2008 in the expectation that the scheme would be heavily...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (10 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 443 and 444 together. My Department has received correspondence from the person in question and has outlined the position in relation to his child's enrolment in the school concerned. The person has been advised that the enrolment of pupils in schools is the responsibility of the authorities of the individual school and that in the event that a disagreement...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm that my Department has received an application for major capital funding, from the school to which the Deputy refers, for the provision of an extension. The application has been assessed and has been assigned a band 2.1 rating under the prioritisation criteria for large scale projects. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENO) for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. All schools have the...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (10 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: A letter was received from the school in question seeking the provision of two prefabricated classrooms and a science laboratory. An application form has been issued to the school for completion. On receipt of the completed application the matter will receive urgent attention.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department provided an 8 classroom school building with ancillary accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy as Phase I of the delivery of the school's permanent accommodation in order to meet the need for additional school places in the area. This school building was delivered as part of my Department's fast-track programme of construction and culminated in the opening of the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (10 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. 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 programme along with all assessed applications for...