Results 2,621-2,640 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (7 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the project to which he refers is currently out to tender. Subject to the necessary technical and financial approvals, it is expected that I will be in a position to authorise the placing of a contract in the near future.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (7 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 2.1 rating. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial...

Written Answers — Student Visas: Student Visas (7 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The number of complaints received by my Department in this area is relatively low. In 2009, four complaints have been received involving three institutions in relation to the issue of fee refunds where study visas have been refused. As the circumstances leading to the complaints are varied and sometimes the result of human error and as the institutions concerned have co-operated with the...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (7 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an early stage of Architectural Planning. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual school Building and modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (7 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Forward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school capacity at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (7 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Forward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department...

Written Answers — Teachers' Remuneration: Teachers' Remuneration (7 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The person in question gave intermittent substitute teaching service which was non-pensionable up until recently. However, arising from recently introduced improvements in superannuation, this person now qualifies for a pension and lump sum from my Department in respect of that service. Her case is currently being processing with a view to payment of benefits before the end of July.

Whole School Evaluations. (2 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware, on last Thursday, 18 June, the inspectorate of the Department of Education and Science published a whole school evaluation report on the school referred to in his question. The evaluation described the quality of educational provision at the school as highly unsatisfactory. I have expressed my clear concern about the serious weaknesses that were identified in...

Whole School Evaluations. (2 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The first thing I want to put on the record is that I accept that there have been difficulties in this school since 2003 or 2004. I accept that the inspectorate was aware of the difficulties in the school. I do not accept that the inspectors were not working with the board of management, the principal and others within the school to ensure that an improvement is brought about. One does not...

Whole School Evaluations. (2 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: There are two issues here. One is the payment that is made to the patron body of the particular group or organisation such as that made to Catholic or Protestant representative bodies. This Islamic education board indicated that it was the patron body for Muslim schools. The imam withdrew recognition of this group as a patron of Muslim schools. In those circumstances the Department...

Whole School Evaluations. (2 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Minister has audited accounts for 2008, as supplied by the present board of management. We have a commitment from the board and are working with its accountants on the furnishing of audited accounts for the previous years. On a point of clarification, I should point out to the Deputy that there are and could be legal difficulties in some of the issues pertaining to the previous board.

Schools Database. (2 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is progressing work to improve systems within the Department to facilitate access to accurate and up-to-date information on individual schools to ensure more efficient use of official time and to reduce the administrative burden on schools. The Department began the process of rationalising internal databases several years ago. The aim is to have one central data holding for...

Schools Database. (2 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: Yes, obviously I would.

Schools Database. (2 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I have every evidence in that I have been working in this Department for more than 12 months. I find that the staff are an extremely committed, capable, hard working group whose sole interest is to ensure the top quality running and operation of the Department of Education and Science.

Schools Database. (2 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can only respond to the Deputy to the effect that any of the information or tabulations he has required have been presented to him. I can think back to the projection on enrolments 2008-30, the details on pre-fab locations in primary schools and details on primary schools in the ownership of the Minister for Education and Science.

Schools Database. (2 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy has asked me a question and I should like to be allowed the opportunity to reply to it. Deputy Quinn is a former Minister for Finance, a very responsible position and I have always said he did an excellent job. At that time, as a Deputy who served in Government with him, I recall Deputy Quinn asking various Departments to prioritise. In this instance, looking back on the Cromien...

Schools Database. (2 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I cannot-----

Schools Database. (2 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: I do not have that information at my fingertips but it is readily available in the Department.

Schools Database. (2 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: On the Cromien report and the information Deputy Quinn seeks on the ownership of schools, my Department undertook a pilot in Kildare. It cost €1 million to implement.

Schools Database. (2 Jul 2009)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Department decided it was far more appropriate and in line with what Deputy Quinn said as Minister for Finance to strategically put that money into front line education services. That is what the Department did and rightly so, and we stand over it.