Results 7,981-8,000 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (2 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Public Procurement Policy. (3 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy is scraping the barrel.

Education Grades. (4 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I recently asked my officials, in conjunction with the relevant State bodies, to examine available evidence in regard to the question of trend increases in grades awarded at second and third levels. Papers have been prepared for me in respect of the State examinations and the higher education sector. With regard to the State examinations, while there has been a significant increase in the...

Education Grades. (4 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Analysis has shown that there was grade inflation in the leaving certificate at higher level but that it levelled off after the establishment of the State Examinations Commission in 2003. Since then the variation in grade inflation is not significant. This indicates clearly that the State Examinations Commission is functioning as it should and that there are effective controls in place for...

Education Grades. (4 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I have dealt with the leaving certificate. As I said, I am satisfied there are proper controls in terms of grading standards. In regard to third level, there is no denying that there has been grade inflation. Dr. Barrett has given exactly the same advice in this regard to the United States Administration. There has been a similar grade inflation in the United Kingdom and other...

School Management. (4 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: As I previously indicated to the House, the commission on school accommodation is currently reviewing the procedures for the establishment of new primary schools. The term of office of the new schools advisory committee expired in August 2008 and on foot of the issues raised within its reports and in light of changing demographic trends, I announced a review of the committee's procedures....

School Management. (4 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: First, I made the decision. I certainly consulted Mr. Murray, having received a recommendation from him with regard to this matter, and I thought the decision was appropriate given the circumstances pertaining to the seven schools. If the Deputy wishes, I can give him the circumstances pertaining to Galway.

School Management. (4 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Doughiska is a new area of population built to the east of Galway city. As has been pointed out, a VEC application had merit and an application was made by Educate Together, which previously had received approval to start a school in the Galway area. However, it did not materialise because the patron body was unable to source a suitable site. In addition, we had regard to the area in...

School Management. (4 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I accept that greater diversity has come in and there are areas in which such diversity must be and will be recognised. The case in question has attracted criticism from Educate Together for instance. However, that body was awarded the patronage of two schools out of seven. While Educate Together has been highly critical on this occasion, I refer back to 2008, when patronage was issued in...

School Management. (4 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Some time ago, I indicated that I intended this year to roll out at least two more pilot projects under the VEC. As the Deputy is aware, an interim measure has been put in place. As the Deputy also is aware, I am about to bring the education (patronage) Bill to the Dáil and hopefully it will become law before the end of the year. In the interim period, however, legal arrangements have...

School Management. (4 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Yes.

School Staffing. (4 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Retirements at primary level since the introduction of the moratorium in March 2009 are 309 principals, 258 deputy principals, 141 assistant principals and 214 teachers with special duties posts of responsibility. The equivalent figures for the post-primary sector were approximately 100 principals, 75 deputy principals, 660 assistant principals and 150 teachers with special duties posts of...

School Staffing. (4 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: There are two issues. I thank the Deputy for his support as regards the teacher unions and their directives. Teachers and their unions have always stated that they put children first. Obviously, however, these matters affect children within schools. I have indicated to the House that there is an unevenness in the number of retirements and promotions. I have also indicated that some...

School Staffing. (4 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The cost of posts of responsibility is significant, €236 million per annum.

School Staffing. (4 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: That in excess of 50% of teachers are post holders in schools is not sustainable and will not be maintained by the Government. We are well down the road in my consultation with the Minister for Finance. We have been consulting for some time and I hope to be in a position to finalise our discussions in the not-too-distant future. I do not want to put an exact date on it and then miss it,...

Special Educational Needs. (4 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, is an independent agency with responsibility for determining the appropriate staffing levels in respect of the support of pupils with special educational needs in mainstream and special schools. He will also be aware that the NCSE, through its network of local special educational needs organisers, SENOs, is...

Special Educational Needs. (4 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Where the child meets the criteria.

Special Educational Needs. (4 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: This is an emotive issue that should be above politics. Of my budget of €9 billion, €1.2 billion is spent on special needs. The Government takes the matter seriously. I will elucidate the facts concerning the school in question. It is a special school with 39 pupils on its roll and 24 staff comprising an administrative principal, six teachers, four part-time teachers and 13 SNAs. The...

Special Educational Needs. (4 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I advise the school to liaise with the NCSE to ensure that proper designation is included. I am concerned that children are appropriately placed and that children with special needs are differentiated.

Special Educational Needs. (4 Mar 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Legislation has given independence to the National Council for Special Education, NCSE. I do not interfere in allocating or removing posts. It would be remiss of me to do so. The information given to me suggests that one of the SNAs was carrying out secretarial duties in the school and the provision for which that person was employed no longer existed.