Results 5,921-5,940 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Scoláireachta Gaeilge Tríú Leibhéal: Scoláireachta Gaeilge Tríú Leibhéal (15 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Tá sé i gceist athbhreithniú a dhéanamh i rith na bliana acadúla seo chugainn ar na trí scéimeanna scoláireachta Gaeilge tríú leibhéal atá ann faoi láthair, d'fhonn a n-éifeacht maidir le comhlíonadh a gcuspóirí a mheas. Machnófar raon ceisteanna, téarmaí agus coinníollacha na scéimeanna ina measc, i gcomhthéacs an athbhreithnithe seo.

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (15 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The criteria for appointment of Special Needs Assistants specifies that the minimum requirement necessary for appointment is an award of Grade D (or pass) in Irish, English and Mathematics in the Intermediate Certificate/Junior Certificate or Day Vocational Certificate Examination or in an examination of equivalent standard. Boards of Management of schools are the employers of all staff,...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (15 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Department is keenly aware of the need to provide a permanent building for the school to which the Deputy refers. In this regard, agreement has been reached to provide permanent accommodation for the school on a V.E.C. owned site. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (15 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is at an early stage of architectural planning. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through 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...

Written Answers — Aitheantas Scoile: Aitheantas Scoile (15 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Tógfaigh mé Ceisteanna 94 agus 95 le chéile. Mar is eol don Teachta, d'fhógair mé le déanaí athbhreithniú ar na gnásanna do bhunú bunscoileanna úra faoin gCoimisiún um Chóiríochta Scoile. Tá sé i gceist agam Meitheal Oibre Teicniúil a bhunú faoin gCoimisiún chun athbhreithniú iomlán a dhéanamh ar na critéir agus ar na gnásanna d'aitheantas bunscoileanna úra....

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Turning to higher education, the capital allocation is being increased by over €100 million to €265 million in 2009. This represents an increase of almost 50% compared with the projected outturn for 2008. The 2009 capital allocation is one of the highest annual levels of investment in core higher educational infrastructure over the past ten years and represents an increase of just over...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Opposition, where it is critical of individual policy choices, owes it to the people to present real, tangible alternatives rather than vague, meaningless rhetoric.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: There are no such tangible proposals in the Fine Gael press releases.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: These are strong on criticism and utterly deficient in saying anything that might offend anyone, anywhere. In the Fine Gael document Recovery Through Reform, the reference to a 3% reduction in the budgets of Departments, including Education and Science, is meaningless in the absence of specifics.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is significant that the Department's salary bill constitutes less than 1% of the education spend.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Were the Department to be abolished the Deputy's party would still have to find a further 2% savings and some mechanism for paying teachers, SNAs, managing school transport and the building programmes in the absence of any people to do this.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I assume this is not what Fine Gael envisages. However, if it is, the party should say so. You, Deputy Hayes should issue another press release to confirm your position.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I apologise.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: On this occasion, when Deputy Hayes is outlining policy, I suggest he put less emphasis on sound bites and more on substance. It is essential to place the current measures in a proper context. In 2009, taking account of the measures announced today, the net pay bill for teachers' salaries and pensions will increase by almost €300 million as a result of a combination of pay increases and...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: In the case of fee-paying post-primary schools the number of pupils required will increase by two. This change to the pupil-teacher ratio will increase average class sizes.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is also necessary to reintroduce a cap of two on the number of language support teachers per school. However, in response to Deputy Hayes's speech, support will be provided to help reduce the impact of the cap on those schools with very large numbers of pupils requiring language support.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: With effect from 1 January 2009, substitution cover for uncertified sick leave in all schools and for official school business in post-primary schools is being suspended. I am asking schools to consider carefully the necessity for absences at events outside school which take place during core class contact time.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Substitution cover will still be paid for all other categories of teacher absence currently provided for and the 37 hour scheme of payment to teachers for supervision and substitution will continue.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: There will be rationalisation of in-career development courses for teachers in 2009. However, we will continue to provide a wide range of courses to teachers in key areas including special education and language support.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: On school funding, improvements are being made to the rates of capitation funding available to schools with a total value of €20 million. I cited here to the Opposition spokesperson on education that it was my desire to increase the levels. Despite the stringent financial circumstances, at primary level the standard rate of capitation grant has increased from €57.14 per pupil in 1997 to...