Results 7,201-7,220 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to reassure the Deputy that I, along with my colleagues in Government, recognise the importance of ensuring that students from a Protestant background can attend a school that reflects their denominational ethos. The Deputy will be aware that, against a backdrop of a difficult economic and fiscal situation, I had to take decisions that impacted on the staffing and the range of funding...

Written Answers — Psychological Service: Psychological Service (26 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware that all primary and post primary schools have access to psychological assessments either directly through the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), or through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA), full details of which are on the Department's website. Where there is no psychologist available through NEPS, a school may access...

Written Answers — Research Funding: Research Funding (26 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy may be aware, the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions, which is funded by my Department, provides funding for the development of research facilities and collaborative programmes across all disciplines, including biotechnology. Of the €865 million committed to date under the Programme, some €412 million has been committed to the biosciences and biomedical...

Written Answers — School Management: School Management (26 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Primary School curriculum is designed as an eight year course, including a two year infant cycle followed by six years in standards from first to sixth, with children progressing to the next grade at the end of each school year. The curriculum is flexible and child-centred, and can be adapted to meet children's needs. A range of additional supports are also available to schools to...

Written Answers — Vocational Education Committees: Vocational Education Committees (26 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: In September when I spoke at the annual conference of the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA) I indicated publicly my general intentions in relation to the future organisation of the VEC system. I invited the IVEA and other interested parties to make written submissions if they wished that I would consider in finalising proposals. Furthermore the Programme for Government includes a...

Written Answers — School Management: School Management (26 Nov 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is currently considering a number of broad policy issues relating to the recognition process for second level schools and the application from Educate Together to be recognised as a patron body at second level is being fully examined within the context of legal, financial and other factors that I must consider. The question of the governance structure is also being considered as...

Third Level Charges. (1 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The student services charge is levied by third level institutions to defray the costs of examinations, registration and student services. The range of services may include such facilities as on-campus medical and counselling facilities for students, access and disability services, careers office services, student facilities, student clubs and societies. It should be noted all students who...

Third Level Charges. (1 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Last year by way of budgetary measures the Government examined this issue. It was the view expressed by all of the higher education institutions that the level of services for which they were paying for students was in excess of €1,500. The Higher Education Authority looked at the accounts of all third level institutions at the time and was satisfied that all institutions were providing...

Third Level Charges. (1 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Generally, one would first establish the facts. I have asked the Higher Education Authority, in view of the report that appeared in a newspaper article arising from information supplied by the Union of Students in Ireland, to carry out a survey on all of the accounts presented by third level institutions. I did so to ensure whatever money is collected from students is being spent on the...

Third Level Charges. (1 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Last year, the Higher Education Authority examined all the sets of accounts. The authority indicated to the Department of Education and Science that it was satisfied that all of the institutions were providing a service to this level. In view of the report issued by the Union of Students in Ireland, I felt it appropriate that I ask for an urgent review to be carried out. The Higher...

Third Level Charges. (1 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: It could be quite possible that the format of response from Trinity College Dublin, for instance, may not be put in strict accountancy order to show the €1,500 is dispensed on each student.

Third Level Charges. (1 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I apologise, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

School Patronage. (1 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: In recent talks between my Department and the bishops of the Catholic Church, there was a wide-ranging and constructive discussion about the different issues that may arise in planning for the future development of provision for primary education. The Catholic school patrons and my Department agreed it was essential to engage in planning for change. However, given the complexity of the...

School Patronage. (1 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: We are aware of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's insistence to be spot on time.

School Patronage. (1 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank Deputy Quinn for his vote of confidence in the departmental officials in terms of all the speedy responses he receives. Given previous pronouncements, I am sure they will welcome that.

School Patronage. (1 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I find them outstanding, but that is another matter. In our discussions with the Catholic bishops, Archbishop Martin has indicated clearly that where there is not a demand for a Catholic ethos or patronage in a school, the church is willing to consider that option. My officials met with the archbishop and Bishop O'Reilly last week or the previous week. At that meeting we thought they might...

School Patronage. (1 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is important that we recognise the difference that exists between church and State, but as a Government we also recognise that the law will take its course for any bishop or archbishop who colluded in any way or who was responsible in any way for ensuring that the truth did not manifest itself. The Garda will investigate and those people will be brought before the courts. In terms of...

School Patronage. (1 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Government and the Department are examining patronage in general. We are involved in a wide-ranging review. A steering group has been set up. In addition, a group has been set up to consider new, developing areas, new patronage for schools and international experience in this area. There have been dramatic changes in school patronage. The Department is purchasing many sites now and...

Grant Payments. (1 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I have had meetings with a number of groups on this issue. The most recent such meeting was on 21 October when I met with the Committee on Management for Protestant Schools. I extended an invitation to that committee to join a working group with my officials to identify particular measures to support the schools and to consider options that might deal with their needs. Regrettably, the...

Grant Payments. (1 Dec 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to reach an accommodation as well. I have met seven different groups from the Protestant denomination. On all occasions I have made it clear that if there are difficulties, I wish to resolve them and to do that in consultation with them. I was very disappointed when we met them two weeks ago. I suggested establishing a working group but they refused point blank to do it. All they...