Results 5,581-5,600 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe
- School Staffing. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I apologise.
- School Staffing. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy knows, the programme for Government was based on a 4.4% annual increase. Given that it appears there will be a reduction in 2009, circumstances have changed. When we examined the figures in July, the tax take was to have decreased by â¬3.5 billion. When we re-examined them at the end of September, the tax deficit was going to be â¬6.5 billion. In July, the Government did...
- School Staffing. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: No. We were not keen on rowing back on the pupil-teacher ratio commitment. I have made it clear that I want to restore the ratio when economic circumstances allow. It is my intention that, as the economy grows, we will re-examine the situation.
- Capitation Grants. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The Government's continued prioritisation of education during the past 11 years is evident from our investment in 2009 of â¬9.6 billion, more than treble what it was in 1997. The increase of â¬302 million in the education budget for 2009 is a real achievement in the current economic climate. Education is one of only three Departments to have increased funding in 2009. Regarding day-to-day...
- Capitation Grants. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The Leas-Cheann Comhairle is very strict.
- Capitation Grants. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I made it clear in the House that I was unsatisfied with the level of capitation, particularly at primary level. In spite of our financial difficulties, the Government believed it appropriate to increase the capitation grant level. In excess of 80% of school patrons, particularly those of primary schools, are with the Catholic church.
- Capitation Grants. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I have been given no indication of the churches and parishes not making contributions. In certain schools, voluntary contributions can be made by parents. I often wonder whether this is a bad thing. Social capital is rising out of our new, emerging society in the sense that it brings people together and creates communities. Schools can mirror communities. A bond between parents and the...
- Capitation Grants. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I have no difficulty meeting them and I have already met privately with them. I have indicated my willingness to meet with all of the education partners. I want to co-operate and work with them to the best possible extent. I met last week with the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland, ASTI, and following requests for a meeting from the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, INTO,...
- Capitation Grants. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I have also received a request for a meeting from the joint management boards and I hope to meet with them some time next week.
- Schools Building Projects. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The National Development Plan 2007-2013 provides for almost â¬4.5 billion for the school building programme. The allocation for school building in 2009 is â¬581 million. This represents a significant investment in the school building and modernisation programme. The Deputy will appreciate that the climate within which the 2009 budget has been framed is different from that of recent...
- Schools Building Projects. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: Yes.
- Schools Building Projects. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: It has been publicised.
- Schools Building Projects. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I cannot provide the figure off the top of my head and I do not have the figures with me. I can get them for the Deputy.
- Schools Building Projects. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I guarantee that some of the projects, as such, went back out for tendering because I wanted to get better value for money. Some of the projects will be paid from the 2008 figure. The Deputy will be delighted to hear I am getting back tenders that are 15% and 20% less than they were when previously tendered. I insisted re-tendering take place in order for us to get value for money for the...
- Schools Building Projects. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: Tammany Hall politics have not been played by us.
- Schools Building Projects. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: If the Deputy went to the trouble of looking at exactly what happens within the Department, he would have been assured and seen evidence that every project gets a band rating, going from band 1 to band 5. Band 1 means a project is a priority. I want to be clear on this. We have a website that is being updated at the moment and I have instructed my officials that when the website is up and...
- Schools Building Projects. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: This begs the question as to whether Deputy Brian Hayes considers there should not be any project teams or designs made.
- Schools Building Projects. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: We now have the new design.
- Schools Building Projects. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I am on record as stating I am not happy to pay architectural firms 13.5% of the total cost of a building.
- Schools Building Projects. (4 Nov 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I know Deputy Quinn is a member of that profession. I have evidence some people were charging 13.5%.