Results 6,501-6,520 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The building project for the school to which the Deputy refers was included in my announcement on 12 February of 43 major building projects to proceed to tender and construction during 2009. Representatives from the board of management of the school and the design team subsequently attended a briefing in my Department's offices in Tullamore at which they were appraised of the next steps...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project at the school to which the Deputy refers was included in my February announcement of 25 projects to commence architectural planning. The project is currently awaiting the appointment of a Design Team.

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. A Stage 2(a) submission was approved by my Department in January 2009. The Design Team are currently working on a Stage 2(b) submission which, when completed, will be submitted to my Department. Following receipt and approval of the Stage 2(b) submission my Department will...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. In February, I announced details of 43 major building projects to proceed to tender and construction and 25 high priority projects to commence architectural planning. The Deputy will understand that it is not possible to advance all projects at the same time. It was not possible to include...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Department received an application for large scale capital funding to provide accommodation to cater for the amalgamation of the two primary schools in the town referred to by the Deputy. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 1.4 rating. The progression of all large scale...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. As the Deputy will be aware, in February, I announced details of 43 major building projects to proceed to tender and construction and 25 high priority projects to commence architectural planning. The project to which the Deputy refers was not included in this...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to advise that tenders were returned on 1st July for the school to which the Deputy refers. The Design Team are currently preparing a tender report for submission to the Department. Upon receipt of this report, the project will be considered for progression to construction.

Written Answers — Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme: Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The situation referred to by the Deputy relates to a Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) course. Conditions of approval for PLC courses require that certification on completion of the programme is appropriate, e.g. FETAC Level 5 Certificate or FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). Certification of the course referred to by the Deputy is...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department procures a wide range of goods, services and works. These range from goods and services procured in connection with my Department's operational requirements to procurement in connection with major programmes of expenditure such as the schools capital programme. The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available and would require a significant allocation of staffing...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am aware that the company to which the Deputy refers was contracted by my Department to build a number of schools as part of my 2008 "rapid delivery" programme in developing areas. The construction of the schools under the programme was procured by my Department under design and build contracts. My Department's contractual relationship in each case was with the main contractors. In...

Written Answers — Third Level Courses: Third Level Courses (9 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The number of students enrolled in universities and Institutes of Technology in agriculture, fisheries and food courses in the academic years 1998/1999 to 2007/2008 is included in the table. Final numbers of students taking these courses in the current academic year is not yet available. It should also be noted that graduates from other disciplines may also find employment in these...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (16 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The scale of the economic challenge facing Ireland is unprecedented. Our banking system is in crisis and businesses and households across the country are struggling. In response, the Government has devised a carefully considered solution to our financial sector difficulties - the National Assets Management Agency. In simple terms, NAMA will help banks to access cash to lend to businesses...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (16 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: -----because a discount of that size would wipe out the entire capital base of the entire banking system and the State would then have to recapitalise the banks in full.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (16 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: That would achieve Labour's ideologically driven goal of a fully State-owned banking system. Labour's approach is in violation of EU Commission rules since the Commission insists that valuations must be determined following a due diligence examination of each loan. Under NAMA, each loan will be valued one by one. The Commission does not allow a flat discount across all loans as Labour...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (16 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: This is high-risk strategy that would inevitably cost taxpayers even more in the end and it would undermine confidence in the banking system and the country as a whole. Political interference in lending policy has a disastrous history worldwide. Full nationalisation is the nuclear option. It is no coincidence that the only country to have fully nationalised its banking system in this crisis...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (17 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to my Department's decision to suppress a number of special classes for pupils with a mild general learning disability (MGLD) in some primary schools. I wish to assure the Deputy that there will be no pupil with a special educational need who will be without access to a special needs teacher as a result of the decision to apply the normal rules...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (17 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Higher Education Grants Schemes operate under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992. Each year, the scheme specifies a list of approved institutions for grants purposes. The approved institutions mainly comprise of public funded third level institutions. I understand the course referred to by the Deputy is provided by a private college which is not approved...

Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Scheme: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (17 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware that the Taoiseach and relevant Ministers, including myself, met representatives of the religious congregations on 4 and 24 June last. At the meeting on 4 June, the Taoiseach conveyed the views of the Government and this House, that further substantial contributions are required by way of reparation and that these contributions need to be capable of being assessed by...

Written Answers — School Services Staff: School Services Staff (17 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has obtained the sanction of the Minister for Finance for an exemption from the staffing moratorium in respect of the post to which he refers at Confey College, Leixlip. Accordingly, my Department has given the Chief Executive Officer of Co Kildare VEC approval to fill the post.

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (17 Sep 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware that my Department sanctioned approval for Kildare VEC to purchase a site for the school in question. I am advised that negotiations are at an advanced stage. The Deputy will appreciate that given the commercial sensitivities in relation to the acquisition of sites generally, I am not in a position to comment any further at this time.