Results 1,461-1,480 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Pupil-Teacher Ratio. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy is aware that an arrangement is in place and he is asking me to break that arrangement. He is saying that we should allocate extra teachers but that when there is a fall-off in pupil numbers I should break the rules. I have to be fair. The number of teachers that will be affected is approximately 50 and, overall, we are employing an extra 500 teachers. What is important is the...

Schools Patronage. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The pastoral letter from the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference, Vision 08, that was published last week represents a valuable and welcome contribution to wider dialogue on the overall governance challenge that faces us in seeking to meet future school needs. The rapid pace of social and demographic change in Ireland is reflected in a radically altered and more diverse society from which our...

Schools Patronage. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: These issues have featured strongly in the ongoing structured dialogue between the Government and the churches, faith communities and non-confessional organisations in Ireland.

Schools Patronage. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is also my intention to hold a national conference on 27 June at which I hope Deputy Quinn will be present.

Schools Patronage. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My apologies.

Schools Patronage. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I apologise but I wanted to mention the national conference, and we all realise the importance of that. Additional information not given on the floor of the House. It is also my intention to host a one day national conference on 27 June, involving each of the patron bodies and wider interests, to consider the governance challenge for meeting future primary education needs. The pastoral...

Schools Patronage. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Government has been active and progressive in examining the patronage and governance in schools issue. The one day conference is an important venture in that it will bring all the stakeholders together to allow all the views and issues pertinent to this particular issue to be brought into the public domain and discussed. It does not mean, for instance, that the one day conference is the...

Schools Patronage. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I understand the schools will come under the Vocational Education Act 1930.

Schools Patronage. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I cannot answer the Deputy. I do not have that information with me. It is a question that is worthy of investigation, which I will do and revert directly to the Deputy.

Garda Vetting Procedures. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: In the education sector, vetting is currently done in respect of newly appointed teachers via the initial registration process with the Teaching Council. It is also done for prospective employees for posts that involve working with children such as special needs assistants, bus drivers, bus escorts to children with special needs, caretakers and other ancillary staff. As the expansion of...

Garda Vetting Procedures. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the Deputy for his kind wishes. There is a vetting system in place for all new appointments and all temporary appointments.

Garda Vetting Procedures. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am concise in what I am saying. There is a vetting system in place for all new appointments and all temporary appointments. I agree with the Deputy on the roll-out of vetting for existing staff. We have been in contact with the Garda vetting unit on that matter and we are trying to build up a capacity between our Department and that unit to ensure a vetting system is put in place in that...

Garda Vetting Procedures. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: We are obviously aware of it and there will always be some level of unqualified personnel. That will occur as a result of short-term absences. It is inevitable that schools must be in a position to have recourse to unqualified personnel. My predecessor indicated her intention to bring forward amending legislation which would set the limitations on a school's capacity to engage other than...

Garda Vetting Procedures. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I cannot give the Deputy an answer to that question, but I will find out the information and report back to him.

Special Educational Needs. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 226 together. The Deputy will be aware of the Government's commitment to ensuring that all children with special educational needs, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school settings through the primary and post-primary school network. This facilitates access to individualised...

Special Educational Needs. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: We prefer to call them discussions rather than negotiations. My officials will meet again next week to bring this matter to a conclusion. The Department of Education and Science has sanctioned the establishment of 13 centres for children with autism, which would operate through ABA.

Special Educational Needs. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: No, all other applications will have to be looked at in the normal way. There are other applications for recognition and they will be examined in light of various applications in particular areas. I emphasise we have funding for the 13 centres and we are in negotiations on the 14th. That is the agreement to date as regards ABA. However, I do not want to go into further discussion until...

Special Educational Needs. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the Deputies for their interventions and Deputy Ó Caoláin for his good wishes. I agree wholeheartedly with the Deputies on the child-centred approach. Meeting the needs of the individual child is what is important. It was stated the needs of the child can change from time to time and Deputy Ó Caoláin seemed to accept there are different approaches to meeting them. I come to...

Capitation Grants. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am aware of the cost pressures on schools, including those arising from water charges, and it is therefore a priority for the Government to improve funding for the day-to-day running costs of schools. Specific commitments on improving school funding form a central part of the education provisions of the programme for Government. These commitments are a direct follow-on from the clear...

Capitation Grants. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I do not expect to be in a position to make further improvements to capitation grants in the current year. However, I am very conscious that it is necessary to increase them and I will keep this need very much in mind. Two issues arise, one of which concerns conservation of water in schools. Fitting simple water-saving devices should be relatively cost-effective. More important, I would...