Results 1,261-1,280 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Proposed Legislation. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: As I recall, the last time I answered this question there were approximately 10,000 students in this situation. I do not have the actual figure but will get it for the Deputy. A statement was put by students giving a figure of 6,500. I cannot confirm that now but shall get the exact figure. We are not satisfied with the process. I am seeking to have EFT transfers to banks used as part of...

Proposed Legislation. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Regarding the actual grants, I have asked, through the HEA, that third-level institutions should be flexible with regard to payments on the basis that grants have been held up so much this year. I understand that flexibility applies.

School Accommodation. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Since the beginning of 2008, 557 schools have been approved for funding to purchase prefabs, with an alternative option to build permanent classrooms. To date, 201 schools have indicated a preference to build rather than purchase or rent prefabs. A further 249 have opted to purchase prefabs; the remainder have yet to indicate their preference. In 2008, just under €26 million was spent on...

School Accommodation. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Deputy Quinn raised this issue with me and when I examined it I was not satisfied with what was happening within the Department in its regard. We have made dramatic improvements. I understood that Deputies Quinn and Hayes were invited to look at the Department's geographical website which shows the precise anticipated growth.

School Accommodation. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Both Deputies have seen it. Obviously, it is a major step forward and in terms of forward planning it identifies very clearly for us where the demand will be and gives us an opportunity to ensure we have proper school structures in place to meet that demand. Taking my capital programme for this year, despite all that was said last September about my not spending the money I received, the...

School Accommodation. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Obviously, it is a success story and I am glad it is. This will be a public document and will be available. I have no problem in making such information available. I refer to the capital programme. I will allow myself a wry smile because when I added two schools to the list last year, Deputy Brian Hayes informed me that I was complicit in being political.

School Accommodation. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Now the Deputy is stating that I did not include a sufficient number of schools on the list last year.

School Accommodation. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: We included a sufficient number of schools on the list and we met all our commitments. The last thing I want to do is inform a school that it is being included on the list and discover that I do not have adequate funding available in respect of that particular building project.

School Accommodation. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am sure the Deputy will communicate further with me regarding the four schools in his area. I met representatives of the Construction Industry Federation recently and discovered that some smaller building firms are concerned about the level of turnover they must have to qualify to tender for projects. I am sympathetic to their plight in that regard. I do not believe a high level of...

School Accommodation. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I do not believe so. One would not need such a level of turnover to tender for certain small projects in rural areas. It would be better value for the Department, in the context of contract prices-----

School Accommodation. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Yes. We are examining the position and I hope we will succeed in having the threshold lowered.

Schools Patronage. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is considering a number of broad policy issues relating to the recognition process for second level schools. The application from Educate Together to be recognised as a patron body at second level is being fully examined within the context of the relevant legal, financial and other factors. At a meeting last year involving officials from my Department and representatives from...

Schools Patronage. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: However, it is my intention to finalise this matter and convey a decision to Educate Together at the earliest date possible.

Schools Patronage. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: As Minister, I want to be in a position to ensure that if we make provision for something, it will stand up to scrutiny and that the legal framework relating to it is correct. Through my officials, I established that the Education Act does not contain a provision with regard to establishing a new model of patronage at second level. We were, therefore, obliged to consult the Office of the...

Schools Patronage. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is then necessary to ensure the various curricular activities are provided. It is also necessary to consider what will be the impact of the opening of a new school on existing schools in an area and whether the former will be viable in the long term. We are obliged to consider all these issues. I made it clear, in my reply to a previous question, that we will shortly be making a decision...

Schools Patronage. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I accept that Deputy Quinn is suspicious of the Department of Education and Science.

Schools Patronage. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Two issues arise. First, it became clear that there was no provision in the Education Act in respect of establishing a new model of patronage. In such circumstances, I was obliged to ask my officials, in conjunction with the Attorney General, to consider the position in order that we might overcome that difficulty. The provision contained in the Act related to the provision of new schools...

Schools Patronage. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I accept that Educate Together is very expansive in the context of what it does. I am of the view, however, that the other patrons are equally expansive and forward-looking. Therefore, I tend to place them all on the same footing. If another organisation had sought to be established as a patron at second level, I would still have had to consider the legal framework - a process I have now...

Schools Patronage. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy should not try my patience.

School Staffing. (28 Jan 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: We will need to confirm that figure for the Deputy.