Results 5,921-5,940 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

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

Batt O'Keeffe: I want to put on the record of the House that in my year as Minister-----

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

Batt O'Keeffe: -----dealing with my Department's civil servants, I have always found them to be motivated by a strong desire to make the best choice in the public interest.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: Far from the laziness and destructiveness Deputy Quinn alleges, I have found a huge commitment to their work and willingness to go the extra mile but I will not dwell on that matter today. The focus of this all-party debate is on the serious issues covered in the Ryan report-----

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

Batt O'Keeffe: -----and our responsibilities to those former residents whom we failed in their childhood.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: However, I could not let such an unprecedented attack on the personal integrity of my staff lie unchallenged on the record of this House.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: Deputy Brian Hayes suggested that my Department's failure to co-operate with the commission in its early stages somehow contributed to the perceived delays in the commission publishing its report. I will acknowledge that prior to 2003 some difficulties were encountered in my Department's dealings with the Commission-----

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

Batt O'Keeffe: -----especially in regard to complying with a small number of discovery directions. However, in this regard, the commission's third interim report of December 2003 acknowledges some of the difficulties that were caused or contributed to by the committee, in that, for example, there was not sufficient clarity about what was sought or insufficient time was being allowed for compliance....

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

Batt O'Keeffe: It simply means that the plaintiff is suing the wrong party in taking an action for damages against the State.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: Of course, for the State to accept liability in all such cases where it does not have a legal liability would be irresponsible in light of its duty to the taxpayer. A further consequence would be to distract from where that liability might lie. There have been some cases where my Department was made aware of allegations of abuse but did not take appropriate action. As a result, my...

Written Answers — Educational Requirements: Educational Requirements (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I received representations from the Deputy on 9th June last. The criteria for appointment of Special Needs Assistants specifies that the minimum requirement necessary for appointment is an award of Grade D (or pass) in Irish, English and Mathematics in the Intermediate Certificate/Junior Certificate or Day Vocational Certificate Examination or in an examination of equivalent standard. Boards...

Written Answers — Schools Recognition: Schools Recognition (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The school to which the Deputy refers is recognised by my Department. In common with all schools, when initially established, the school was granted temporary recognition to allow it to demonstrate its viability and this temporary recognition remains in place. During its period of temporary recognition, accommodation remains the responsibility of the Patron. My Department has recently...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: A reply has issued to the candidate referred to by the Deputy in respect of his appeal from the Higher Education- Equity Of Access Unit of my Department.

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has advised the National Braille Production Centre (NBPC) that an allocation of €1,150,000 has been made available to the Centre in 2009. The NBPC has written to my Department seeking additional funding and my officials will be in further contact with the Centre in this regard. The Deputy will be aware of the Government's commitment to ensuring that all children with special...

Written Answers — Schools Accommodation: Schools Accommodation (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has given sanction to the school to which he refers for the provision of 4 extra classrooms to cater for its needs for next September. The school has been informed of this decision. As the Deputy has been previously advised, the Forward Planning Section of my Department is currently identifying the areas where significant additional...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: In light of the Budget 2009 decision my Department has now published a circular for schools which sets out how the new arrangements will operate for the allocation of language support teachers from September 2009. The circular sets out a structured and transparent approach for the operation of the alleviation measures that were announced in the budget for schools that have a significant...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware that the home tuition scheme provides a grant to parents to facilitate the provision of education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting an educational placement and to provide early intervention for pre-school children...

Written Answers — Oideachas Trí Gaeilge: Oideachas Trí Gaeilge (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Tógfaigh mé Ceisteanna 255 agus 256 le chéile. Faoi théarmaí Alt 6 den Acht Oideachais, 1998 tá oibleagáid shainiúil ar an earnáil oideachais cuidiú leis an nGaeilge a choinneáil mar phríomhtheanga an phobail i limistéir Ghaeltachta. Éilíonn an tAcht chomh maith go gcuirfí chun cinn riachtanais teanga agus chultúrtha mac léinn ag féachaint do roghanna a dtuismitheoirí....

Written Answers — Service for People with Disabilities: Service for People with Disabilities (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has accounts with three taxi companies. On average approximately 12% of the companies' fleets are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users. The amount spent on taxis by my Department in 2008 was €26,996.34. The amount spent to date in 2009 is €9,482.81. Taxis used by my Department's officials are strictly for business purposes and staff are required to...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Criteria for the 2009 maintenance grant schemes are under review at present. Decisions on the 2009 schemes will be announced as soon as the process is completed.

Written Answers — Inquiry into Child Abuse: Inquiry into Child Abuse (16 Jun 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to advise the Deputy that, as stated by me in this House on Friday last that under the Act, decisions on the Commission's records are a matter for the Commission. However, my Department has received assurances from the Commission that no action will be taken on these documents for some time. The Government supports the desirability of preserving, in so far as possible, these...