Results 4,721-4,740 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Pupil-Teacher Ratio. (26 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: No, overall.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio. (26 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: In the current situation, I will not make any prognosis on what might happen. As of now, the budget position stands in terms of the funding available to me. If the economy deteriorates further, I am not sure what impact that will have. Please do not hold me to making prognoses. On foot of the information available and on the basis of the budget allocation given to me, I do not envisage...

Pupil-Teacher Ratio. (26 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: On language support, I am conscious that certain schools have taken in a high number of non-Irish nationals and that in no way should we penalise those schools. We have gone back to pre-2007 levels of language support and, as it were, cut it to two language support teachers, but where schools can show a high incidence of non-nationals who require language support, the Department will look at...

Pupil-Teacher Ratio. (26 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: ——provided they are within 45 km of each other. When we were factoring in a loss of only 200 posts at second level, we took account of the fact that we would not be able to redeploy teachers in that sector. That is why I am anxious that we proceed with redeployment issues. We reckon there are approximately 200 teachers surplus within the second level system who are not being moved on...

School Patrons. (26 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Given the current trend of an increasing student population and the need to ensure maximum benefit from the financial resources available to me, I have asked the Department to examine the broad issues relating to school recognition at second level. The application from Educate Together to be recognised as a patron body at second level will be looked at in that context. It currently provides...

School Patrons. (26 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Educate Together is doing an outstanding job in the primary sector, the non-denominational side of it is covered. The second level sector is a different kettle of fish. The Deputy is looking for recognition as a patron body in an area that is already served by the VEC sector in a non-denominational way. There are serious issues that must be examined within the Department. I am anxious to...

Written Answers — Schools Recognition: Schools Recognition (26 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Tógfaigh mé Ceisteanna 11 agus 12 le chéile. I should explain that a review of the procedures for the establishment of new primary schools is being undertaken by the Commission on School Accommodation. A Technical Working Group, under the direction of the Chairman of the Commission, has been established to undertake a full review of the criteria and procedures for the recognition of new...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (26 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Forward Planning Section of my Department is currently identifying areas where significant additional accommodation will be required at primary and post-primary level for 2009 and onwards. This involves detailed consideration of factors such as population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and the capacity of existing...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (26 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Teacher allocations to all second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. In accordance with these rules each school management authority is required to organise its subject options within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. The deployment of teaching staff in the school, the range of subjects...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (26 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The duties and responsibilities of my Department require attendance by Ministers and officials at a range of meetings and events, in Ireland and overseas, which sometimes necessitate overnight stays in hotels. Typically, the types of event which necessitate an overnight stay include meetings, conferences and training and development events in Ireland, EU meetings as well as those of...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (26 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 52, 53 and 58 together. There will be no pupil with a special educational need who will be without access to a special needs teacher as a result of my Department's decision to apply the normal rules which govern the appointment and retention of teachers to special classes for pupils with a mild general learning disability. The Deputies will be aware that...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (26 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to advise the Deputy that there has been no change in the criteria which governs the appointment of additional resource/learning support teachers, special needs assistants or home tuition. The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all pupils, including those with special educational needs, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school...

Written Answers — Fee-Paying Schools: Fee-Paying Schools (26 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has not received any recent approaches, formal or informal, from any fee-paying school wishing to opt into the free education scheme. A school did consider joining the free education scheme in 2004, but subsequently withdrew its application. It is open to any fee-paying school to apply to join the free education scheme. Any applications received will receive due consideration...

Written Answers — School Patronage: School Patronage (26 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I have already commented publicly in relation to this matter. I have made the point that the patronage of Catholic schools in a diocese rests ex officio with the person who is Bishop of that diocese at any particular point in time. In response to media queries as to whether I considered that the Bishop concerned should resign from his office I expressed that it was a matter for the Bishop...

Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Scheme: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (26 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Under the terms of the Indemnity Agreement reached with the Religious Congregations on the 5th June, 2002, the Congregations agreed to make a contribution of €128 million towards the cost of the Redress Scheme. This sum was broken down as follows: Property Transfers — €76.86m; Cash Contribution — €41.14m; Provision of Counselling Services — €10.00m. In actual terms, whilst the...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (26 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy is aware, I recently announced the launch of a process to develop a new national strategy for higher education. The process will be overseen by a high level steering group, chaired by economist Dr Colin Hunt and comprising national and international expertise including academic, business, community and student interests, as well as senior government officials. It is expected...

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (26 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Teachers Conciliation Council is the recognised forum for dealing with matters relating to pay and conditions of service of teachers. The parties to the forum include representatives of the managerial authorities of schools, the teacher unions and the Departments of Education and Science and Finance. Discussions in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy are due to commence shortly...

Written Answers — Student Support Schemes: Student Support Schemes (26 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Student Support Bill concluded Second Stage in the Dáil on the 30th April 2008. A number of amendments are currently being considered, arising from a review of the Bill following the Second Stage debate and further consultations since publication. I hope to have these amendments finalised with a view to progressing to Committee Stage in the current Parliamentary session. The passage of...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (26 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department funds four maintenance grant schemes for third level and further education students. The Higher Education Grants Scheme is administered by the local authorities. The other three schemes are administered by the Vocational Education Committees. In January each year my Department carries out a survey of the 66 local authorities and VECs in respect of the status of applications....

Written Answers — Student Councils: Student Councils (26 Feb 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Section 27 of the Education Act, 1998 provides that students of a post-primary school may establish a student council and that Boards of Management in schools shall facilitate and give all reasonable assistance to student councils. My Department understands that student councils have been established in the majority of post-primary schools and that the remaining schools are in the process of...