Results 5,021-5,040 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Third Level Fees. (25 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: That is the information I received from members of the Committee of Public Accounts. As the Deputy is aware, I cannot interfere with the Comptroller and Auditor General, he is absolutely independent. However, my information is that an audit on value for money is near completion.

Third Level Fees. (25 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: This is where I disagree fundamentally with Deputy Hayes. The State is currently investing €2 billion in the third level sector, an increase of 33.3% over the last four years. The Exchequer is paying some €350 million by way of fees to the third level sector. This is a fundamental policy issue which will have to be decided on by the Government. It is for this reason that I have...

Capitation Grants. (25 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I have consistently said that 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 entirely spared. The changes made in...

Capitation Grants. (25 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy has raised several issues. The Comptroller and Auditor General indicated clearly that any supports we provide should be targeted at students in disadvantaged areas. Therefore, I have ensured that funding is targeted at DEIS schools. Deputy O'Mahony did not refer to the increase in the capitation grant this year. It is true that some grants have been withdrawn but the reality is...

Capitation Grants. (25 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy claims the enhanced provisions were in place prior to the changes announced in the October budget. That is not correct. I specifically undertook to increase the capitation grant in that budget having acknowledged that the existing grant was too low. There has been a 59% increase in the rate of capitation, which now ranges from €512 to as much as €986, to children with...

State Examinations. (25 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Decisions on the award of points and admission criteria for entry to higher education programmes are, under legislation, a matter for the higher education institutions. My Department asked the Higher Education Authority to initiate a discussion across higher education institutions regarding the desirability or otherwise of awarding bonus points. The overall view emerging was that the...

State Examinations. (25 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Obviously one takes note of all the reports. IBEC has indicated that it would recommend awarding bonus points. The council, itself, came out with the report during the week with its indications. All of the relevant information suggests that understanding mathematical concepts is far more important for children. Having curricular reform is far more important——

State Examinations. (25 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: ——in the longer term.

State Examinations. (25 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I ask Deputies to consider the University of Limerick and DIT. They are awarding bonus points. There is no indication that there is an increase in the uptake of mathematics in their degree courses. I believe it is appropriate to introduce curricular reform and bring about a better understanding of the mathematical concepts. It is not appropriate to put mathematics as a singular entity out...

State Examinations. (25 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As I said in my reply, this is a matter for the third level institutions. I have asked the Higher Education Authority to liaise with the universities and the institutes. They do not favour the introduction of a bonus points system for mathematics.

State Examinations. (25 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Obviously Project Maths and the roll-out of the new curriculum are extremely important. The circumstances relating to a new primary level mathematics curriculum has been very fruitful. Rolling out Project Maths into the secondary level and giving mathematics teachers the associated in-service training are fundamental. There has been low participation in mathematics at the higher level....

State Examinations. (25 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Project Maths is not a hope. It will be a reality. Project Maths will encourage a far greater understanding and will certainly reinforce the practical relevance of mathematics to everyday life. It will ensure a better continuity between the primary curriculum and the second level one. The initiative commenced in 2008. As we speak it is being piloted in 24 schools. The curriculum changes...

Schools Building Projects. (25 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The first bundle of post-primary schools announced by my Department in November 2005 comprises Coláiste na Síonna, Banagher; Gallen Community School, Ferbane; Scoil Chríost Rí, Portlaoise and St. Mary's CBS, Portlaoise. A preferred tenderer, Macquarie Partnership for Ireland, was appointed for this bundle in October 2007. Full planning permission for all four schools was secured by...

Schools Building Projects. (25 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: It means two other bundles will be going out to the market, one in the middle of 2009 and the other at the end of 2009. It is the NTMA's view that it would be commercially sensitive to give that information now. To be fair, on a previous occasion when the Deputy raised the issue of interest, I gave him the details of the interest charge.

Schools Building Projects. (25 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I will be in a position to give the Deputy the details of the interest as soon as the other bundles have been cleared and clarified. As a former Minister for Finance, the Deputy more than anyone else would understand exactly what is the situation. On the question as to whether I am satisfied that the contract is not more expensive than funding this via the Exchequer, the bid accepted by the...

Schools Building Projects. (25 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am rather surprised at Deputy Quinn. As a former Minister for Finance, he will understand that sometimes commercially sensitive information must be kept from the public view. The important point is whether we got value for money and whether the PPP projects now in place are giving value for money. There is a public sector benchmark which provides a key measure for my Department and the...

Property Transfers. (25 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to advise the Deputy that, with regard to the queries raised by her in regard to the properties being transferred to the State as a result of the indemnity agreement, the specific details sought are contained in a number of lists which are currently being distributed to the Deputies. List A gives the names and addresses of the 63 properties transferring under the terms of the indemnity...

Property Transfers. (25 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Up to 31 December 2008, the board had made awards in the case of 11,848 applicants. A further 699 cases have been withdrawn, refused or have resulted in no award being made. This leaves a balance of 2,047 cases remaining to be processed. The overall average award from the inception of the scheme is €64,892. Based on the number of applications received, the final cost of the scheme may...

Property Transfers. (25 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is a tentative sum.

Property Transfers. (25 Mar 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: We could.