Results 1,241-1,260 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Inquiry into Child Abuse. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I have no wish to anticipate what the Cabinet will do. However, I point out the use of the word "substantial". The Government must consider the offers made and it must reckon whether any offer is substantial. I reiterate that the final arbiter in this case will be the public.

National University of Ireland. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Provisions to dissolve the National University of Ireland will be contained in the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Bill, included in the legislative programme. Recently, the Government approved the general scheme of the Bill and it is hoped that it will be published before the summer recess. Several factors were taken into consideration in deciding to dissolve...

National University of Ireland. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: First, I will answer the charge that I was somehow bounced into this decision. I refer Deputy Hayes back to the budget of October 2008. I refer the Deputy to the intention of the Government at the time to introduce a quality authority.

National University of Ireland. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Does the Deputy recall that at that time we clearly indicated that we would examine the situation regarding the NUI? To say I was bounced into this decision is not correct. Also, I refer the Deputy to the fact that at the time we set out a consultation process in place.

National University of Ireland. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I advise the Deputy that the NUI made a submission to this consultation. Some of the universities also made a submission. Submissions were made to the higher education review group by the NUI. I find it ironic for the Deputy to say there was no consultation given that his party leader, without any consultation at all, took out of the melting pot a proposal in regard to a much more...

National University of Ireland. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I find it a little ironic to accept that type of criticism.

National University of Ireland. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is difficult to give a brief reply to such a long question.

National University of Ireland. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: That is no problem. I will give short answers if the Deputy asks me short questions.

National University of Ireland. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I have no problem with that but if asked ten questions, I have a right to answer them. Consultation took place; I accept that. The Deputy is obviously well briefed by his Fine Gael colleagues. In regard to the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, the Deputy spoke about international recognition. We are prepared to leave the NUI as a brand name. I have spoken to the presidents of the four-----

National University of Ireland. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I have spoken to the four university presidents. If it is their wish to continue with the brand name and if that is the way they wish to award their degrees for international credit, that can be put into legislation as NUI. The corporate entity of the NUI will not remain because it is not a federal university. In regard to the Royal College of Surgeons, there is a letter in the Department...

National University of Ireland. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is looking for degree-awarding powers and I have had discussions with it. It will have to undergo a review process like every other institution which wishes to award degrees. It has agreed to go through that process and I am putting that in place for it at present.

Schools Patronage. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is examining a range of issues relating to patronage at second level, including the issue of an independent process for the recognition of new patrons. Given the current trend of an increasing student population and the need to ensure maximum benefit from the financial resources available to me, my Department is considering a number of broad policy issues relating to the...

Schools Patronage. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I agree with the Deputy that Educate Together does a very fine job as patron of primary schools. It is not a simple matter to give new patronage at second level. There are serious issues, including legal issues. I had to consult the Attorney General because we need to look at the Education Act 1998 and the Constitution and the effects thereon. These legal issues relate not only to the...

Schools Patronage. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I think so.

Schools Patronage. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Educate Together is held in very high esteem in my Department. We take its applications very seriously and we know if it is appointed as a patron it will do an exceptionally good job. I have a role as Minister for Education and Science to make sure that whatever I put in place has a legal basis and a sound framework. I also have to examine any new patron, the school it intends to develop...

Educational Projects. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am very aware of the excellent work being done by the schools in question using music as a key vehicle to promote inclusion and effective learning and I congratulate them on their work in this area. Other than the additional resources available through DEIS and the school completion programme to schools designated as disadvantaged, my Department is not in a position at this time to provide...

Proposed Legislation. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The passage of the Student Support Bill will facilitate progress on the two significant pillars of an overall programme of legislative and administrative reform of student grants. These are the development of a single unified grant scheme and reform of the administration of student grants. A number of amendments to the Bill in relation to legal and policy issues which have arisen since...

Proposed Legislation. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: While I accept that this has taken a long time, the Deputy must also accept that significant legal difficulties have arisen. I had to approach the Attorney General on this issue to try to ensure we could advance the process. The Deputy will be aware that a judicial review which was taken created some issues for the Department.

Proposed Legislation. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: He will also recall that one of the fundamental issues that arose during the Second Stage debate was a grant system for part-time courses. On the issue of having the administration and operation of grants located in a single co-ordinated area, we had to leave the Bill in its current form owing to the economic downturn. This meant we had to address various legal definitions and changes. It...

Proposed Legislation. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: -----there are greater efficiencies, even under the present operation.