Results 3,261-3,280 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe
- Written Answers — Educational Projects: Educational Projects (30 Oct 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: Notwithstanding the increase of â¬302 million in the Education budget for 2009, which is a real achievement in the current economic climate, a number of tough and difficult decisions had to be taken. These decisions included the decision to discontinue the annual funding of â¬97,000 that the Department made available to the Centre for Talented Youth (CTYI) at Dublin City University. While...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Oct 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The budget for 2009 must be considered against the background of a difficult international economic situation. While education remains a priority for the Government, it has been necessary to curtail expenditure in some areas, in order that resources may be targeted more efficiently at areas of disadvantage. While the grant for physics and chemistry is to be abolished, I am confident that...
- Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (30 Oct 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The specific information requested by the Deputy in relation to the detailed staffing allocation of the school in question for the academic year 2009/10 cannot be determined until the allocation process has fully concluded. There is nothing exceptional in this. The allocation process includes appellate mechanisms under which schools can appeal against the allocation due to them under the...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (30 Oct 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The make up and timing of further school bundles in my Department's PPP school building programme will be determined by my Department in consultation with the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA). The issues to be considered in the timing and bundling of these schools include site availability for each school, geographical spread and the estimated total cost of the proposed school...
- Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (30 Oct 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: There are currently 7 officers in the Private Office of the Minister of State at my Department, 2 of whom are non Civil Servants. The grades and dates of appointment to their current post of these officers are: 1 Higher Executive Officer/Private Secretary (appointed 8th May 2006) 1 Executive Officer (appointed 8th May 2006) 3 Clerical Officers (appointed 8th May 2006, 11th September 2006 and...
- School Staffing. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: As I made clear during the lengthy debate in the House last week, the 2009 budget required difficult choices to be made across all areas of public expenditure. These decisions were made to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability in the long run. In this respect education while protected to a much greater extent than most other areas of public expenditure could not be totally...
- School Staffing. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: Yes. Iââ
- School Staffing. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I am sure the Deputy would love me to give a full reply.
- School Staffing. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: Of course there would be an additional 1,000 teachers. However, given that we have increasing demographics we estimate that 1,100 teachers will be taken out and that 900 will come in as a result of demographics and other factors.
- School Staffing. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: There are approximately 3,300 schools.
- School Staffing. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: Given the overall budget and financial situation, I had a choice of taking a 3% cut across the board. If we had taken that choice, we would have taken out 2,500 teachers. Instead, reverting one year to the 2006-07 level would have the least impact. In terms of language support teachers, for example, we were conscious to leave ourselves an opportunity to retain the option of supporting the...
- School Staffing. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy should have listened to my speech last week.
- School Staffing. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I apologise.
- School Staffing. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy knows, the programme for Government was based on a 4.4% annual increase. Given that it appears there will be a reduction in 2009, circumstances have changed. When we examined the figures in July, the tax take was to have decreased by â¬3.5 billion. When we re-examined them at the end of September, the tax deficit was going to be â¬6.5 billion. In July, the Government did...
- School Staffing. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: No. We were not keen on rowing back on the pupil-teacher ratio commitment. I have made it clear that I want to restore the ratio when economic circumstances allow. It is my intention that, as the economy grows, we will re-examine the situation.
- Capitation Grants. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The Government's continued prioritisation of education during the past 11 years is evident from our investment in 2009 of â¬9.6 billion, more than treble what it was in 1997. The increase of â¬302 million in the education budget for 2009 is a real achievement in the current economic climate. Education is one of only three Departments to have increased funding in 2009. Regarding day-to-day...
- Capitation Grants. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The Leas-Cheann Comhairle is very strict.
- Capitation Grants. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I made it clear in the House that I was unsatisfied with the level of capitation, particularly at primary level. In spite of our financial difficulties, the Government believed it appropriate to increase the capitation grant level. In excess of 80% of school patrons, particularly those of primary schools, are with the Catholic church.
- Capitation Grants. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I have been given no indication of the churches and parishes not making contributions. In certain schools, voluntary contributions can be made by parents. I often wonder whether this is a bad thing. Social capital is rising out of our new, emerging society in the sense that it brings people together and creates communities. Schools can mirror communities. A bond between parents and the...
- Capitation Grants. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I have no difficulty meeting them and I have already met privately with them. I have indicated my willingness to meet with all of the education partners. I want to co-operate and work with them to the best possible extent. I met last week with the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland, ASTI, and following requests for a meeting from the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, INTO,...