Results 5,901-5,920 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — School Placement: School Placement (10 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to advise the Deputy that the enrolment of a child in a school is a matter in the first instance for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of the school concerned. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment in schools. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of...

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (10 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The superintendent who distributed English Paper 2 instead of English Paper 1, did not carry out any of the following documented procedures correctly – the checking of the label on the exam packet, the checking of the exam paper, the checking of each exam paper in the packet, and the sign off by 2 students that this was the correct paper for the session. This is in spite of the fact that...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports including applications for the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. Officials in my Department...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the revised Stage 2B (Detailed Design) submission is currently being examined by the Department's Professional and Technical Unit. When this process is complete my Department will be in further contact with the Board of Management.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy may be aware, the recognition of teacher qualifications is now a matter for the Teaching Council, the body with responsibility for establishing and maintaining standards in the teaching profession. I understand that they are currently examining a submission for recognition for a new Montessori award and that this process is near completion. I have no plans to establish a...

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers was included in my announcement in February of 43 major building projects to proceed to tender and construction. A stage submission (developed sketch design) for the project was recently considered by my Department and was returned to the design team in April with substantial comments which need to be addressed. My Department is now awaiting additional...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (11 Jun 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 — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (11 Jun 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 (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to primary and post primary schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support....

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (11 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school recently confirmed to the Department that it was unlikely to reach the enrolment level envisaged when they made the original application for additional temporary accommodation. The related issue of the replacement of play area that would have been occupied by that additional temporary accommodation will not now arise. The Department is continuing to work with the school authority...

Ryan Report on the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Motion (Resumed) (12 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As Minister for Education and Science, I want to apologise unreservedly for the way the Department of Education and Science failed children in residential institutions.

Ryan Report on the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Motion (Resumed) (12 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The report clearly shows how the Department failed to protect these children for whom it had a duty of care. Had the Department done its job properly, thousands of children would not have suffered the way they did. We failed them. We are all united in our abhorrence at the findings of this report and the sheer scale of the abuse which children experienced in these institutions over a long...

Ryan Report on the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Motion (Resumed) (12 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I commend them on their persistence in ensuring the story was told, heard and, most importantly for the victims, that it was believed. Without them, this report would not have been possible nor could we have ever hoped to learn from the mistakes of the past. Their bravery and determination is a lasting tribute to those former residents who are no longer with us and whom we should remember...

Ryan Report on the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Motion (Resumed) (12 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: -----but now, as a society, we will be judged on how we respond to this reality, learn from the mistakes of the past and ensure our children are protected and cared for.

Ryan Report on the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Motion (Resumed) (12 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Taoiseach, together with myself and other Ministers, met representatives of the survivors of abuse on 3 June during which the Taoiseach reiterated the Government's full acceptance of all the recommendations in the commission's report and that it is committed to their implementation. The groups were also advised that the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs will develop an...

Ryan Report on the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Motion (Resumed) (12 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is proposed to hold further discussions with the survivor groups to advance the implementation of this recommendation. The report also made recommendations relating to education, counselling and family tracing services. Funding for education grants is available from the Education Finance Board which is funded by €12.7 million of the religious orders' cash contribution. At the end of...

Ryan Report on the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Motion (Resumed) (12 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Last year, the Department provided funding to these groups as follows: Irish groups - €143,239 and UK groups - €428,312.

Ryan Report on the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Motion (Resumed) (12 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: They will continue to be funded by my Department in the current year. Barnardos is being funded to provide a family tracing service for former residents, which is highly valued by them. My Department will continue to consult with the survivor groups on the recommendations relating to education, counselling and family tracing services. At the meeting on 3 June, the survivor groups paid...

Ryan Report on the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Motion (Resumed) (12 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Deputies have raised the issue of the commission's records. While, under the Act, decisions on the commission's records are a matter for the commission, the commission has assured my Department that no action will be taken on these documents for some time. I assure the House that the Government supports the desirability of preserving, in so far as possible, these records for posterity. A...

Ryan Report on the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Motion (Resumed) (12 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: -----by Deputies in the course of this debate. These and all of the other issues raised by them will now be given further consideration. I do not want to move from focusing on the needs of the survivors. However, a number of comments were made by Deputies relating to my own Department with which I must deal.

Ryan Report on the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Motion (Resumed) (12 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: In a recent "Questions & Answers" programme on RTE, Michael O'Brien, a former resident, implored all of us to stop making a political football of this issue. I ask the same of Deputy Ruarí Quinn. Deputy Quinn has every right to engage in robust debate about current policies and structures and changes he considers are desirable. I would welcome such a debate. Deputy Quinn also has every...