Results 1,481-1,500 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Capitation Grants. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Under the EU water framework directive, all non-domestic users must pay for water used. This system will be fully in place by 2010. It is important that we all exhort school authorities to conserve water.

Capitation Grants. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Schools can make a significant impact on lowering the charges they have been meeting to date by installing simple water conservation devices. They can use the €27 million made available at the end of last year under the small works scheme to ensure leaks are repaired.

Capitation Grants. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am glad the Deputy agrees there should be a water conservation policy within schools. Such a policy should be actively pursued. As for the Deputy's question on the Government response, I already have outlined a transitional arrangement that will be put in place by the Government to alleviate some of the difficulties. Schools have been given an opportunity until 2010 to put in place...

Capitation Grants. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The directive also requires that——

Capitation Grants. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: ——measures be put in place up to 2010 to move towards full cost recovery. The only exemption in this regard pertains to domestic households.

Capitation Grants. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Schools are in the same position as all other users, including charities and social services.

Capitation Grants. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I do not agree with the Deputy.

Capitation Grants. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Of course I will not confirm that because it is not the case.

Capitation Grants. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Deputy Hayes should separate two issues. The first is the legal framework and the legal position from 2010, which is that the full cost must be paid by schools.

Capitation Grants. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: That is the first issue.

Capitation Grants. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: In his response to me, Deputy Hayes did not accept that.

Capitation Grants. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: If the Deputy was listening, I stated that in respect of capitation grants and schools, I intended to keep that issue foremost in my mind. This is one of the issues I consider must be addressed in my term of office. I can only give the commitment that this issue is very much on my mind.

Capitation Grants. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I do not wish to give a hostage to fortune. Members will appreciate that at present, I am going through all the finances with the Department. As an issue however, I believe that as Minister for Education and Science, I must examine capitation seriously.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The programme for Government sets out the overarching policy position in respect of the provision of additional teachers and on reductions in class size over the life of the Government. The programme contains a commitment to increase the number of primary teachers by at least 4,000 and on that basis to make further progress on reducing class sizes. Budget 2008 provided my Department with...

Pupil-Teacher Ratio. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Essentially, it is the quality of teaching in individual classrooms that has the greatest impact.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: First, this question has been dealt with in part as one of the priorities. I reiterate that in respect of the Government's commitment to have 4,000 additional teachers in employment over five years, after two years, the Government has employed 2,000 teachers.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Government is on target. In fact it is ahead of target in respect of this issue.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I beg Members' indulgence in this regard. I have been in this position for two weeks and have indicated clearly that I have entered discussions with my officials regarding funding and demands on funding within the Department. I am not in a position at present to indicate clearly the destination of capital funding or what is the current funding side. I certainly am not in a position to...

Pupil-Teacher Ratio. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am committed to doing so. Obviously, like everything else within all strategies across Departments, the commitment regarding pupil-teacher ratios will be contingent on the available finances. Were Members to read the programme for Government, it stated clearly that all the aspirations contained in it were contingent on finances being available. At the time, this was stressed greatly by...

Pupil-Teacher Ratio. (21 May 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I cannot give accurate information off the top of my head but the ratio is currently 27 to one and to reduce it to 26 to one would require around 500 additional teachers, I would think. This would cause a requirement for additional classrooms and other facilities so one cannot quantify the cost solely in terms of teachers' pay.