Results 1,621-1,640 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe
- Third Level Charges. (1 Dec 2009)
Batt O'Keeffe: Last year by way of budgetary measures the Government examined this issue. It was the view expressed by all of the higher education institutions that the level of services for which they were paying for students was in excess of â¬1,500. The Higher Education Authority looked at the accounts of all third level institutions at the time and was satisfied that all institutions were providing...
- Third Level Charges. (1 Dec 2009)
Batt O'Keeffe: Generally, one would first establish the facts. I have asked the Higher Education Authority, in view of the report that appeared in a newspaper article arising from information supplied by the Union of Students in Ireland, to carry out a survey on all of the accounts presented by third level institutions. I did so to ensure whatever money is collected from students is being spent on the...
- Third Level Charges. (1 Dec 2009)
Batt O'Keeffe: Last year, the Higher Education Authority examined all the sets of accounts. The authority indicated to the Department of Education and Science that it was satisfied that all of the institutions were providing a service to this level. In view of the report issued by the Union of Students in Ireland, I felt it appropriate that I ask for an urgent review to be carried out. The Higher...
- Third Level Charges. (1 Dec 2009)
Batt O'Keeffe: It could be quite possible that the format of response from Trinity College Dublin, for instance, may not be put in strict accountancy order to show the â¬1,500 is dispensed on each student.
- Third Level Charges. (1 Dec 2009)
Batt O'Keeffe: I apologise, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.
- School Patronage. (1 Dec 2009)
Batt O'Keeffe: In recent talks between my Department and the bishops of the Catholic Church, there was a wide-ranging and constructive discussion about the different issues that may arise in planning for the future development of provision for primary education. The Catholic school patrons and my Department agreed it was essential to engage in planning for change. However, given the complexity of the...
- School Patronage. (1 Dec 2009)
Batt O'Keeffe: We are aware of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's insistence to be spot on time.
- School Patronage. (1 Dec 2009)
Batt O'Keeffe: I thank Deputy Quinn for his vote of confidence in the departmental officials in terms of all the speedy responses he receives. Given previous pronouncements, I am sure they will welcome that.
- School Patronage. (1 Dec 2009)
Batt O'Keeffe: I find them outstanding, but that is another matter. In our discussions with the Catholic bishops, Archbishop Martin has indicated clearly that where there is not a demand for a Catholic ethos or patronage in a school, the church is willing to consider that option. My officials met with the archbishop and Bishop O'Reilly last week or the previous week. At that meeting we thought they might...
- School Patronage. (1 Dec 2009)
Batt O'Keeffe: It is important that we recognise the difference that exists between church and State, but as a Government we also recognise that the law will take its course for any bishop or archbishop who colluded in any way or who was responsible in any way for ensuring that the truth did not manifest itself. The Garda will investigate and those people will be brought before the courts. In terms of...
- School Patronage. (1 Dec 2009)
Batt O'Keeffe: The Government and the Department are examining patronage in general. We are involved in a wide-ranging review. A steering group has been set up. In addition, a group has been set up to consider new, developing areas, new patronage for schools and international experience in this area. There have been dramatic changes in school patronage. The Department is purchasing many sites now and...
- Grant Payments. (1 Dec 2009)
Batt O'Keeffe: I have had meetings with a number of groups on this issue. The most recent such meeting was on 21 October when I met with the Committee on Management for Protestant Schools. I extended an invitation to that committee to join a working group with my officials to identify particular measures to support the schools and to consider options that might deal with their needs. Regrettably, the...
- Grant Payments. (1 Dec 2009)
Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to reach an accommodation as well. I have met seven different groups from the Protestant denomination. On all occasions I have made it clear that if there are difficulties, I wish to resolve them and to do that in consultation with them. I was very disappointed when we met them two weeks ago. I suggested establishing a working group but they refused point blank to do it. All they...
- Grant Payments. (1 Dec 2009)
Batt O'Keeffe: The block grant to Protestant fee-paying schools is approximately â¬650 per pupil. The block grant to a normal school is â¬345 per pupil. There is a privileged position already.
- Grant Payments. (1 Dec 2009)
Batt O'Keeffe: I am far more interested in having a targeted intervention for Protestant schools in rural areas that have been badly affected and need more support than they receive at present. I would like that information to be provided before giving any consideration to increasing the block grant. An increase in the block grant would create a bigger difference between the normal non-fee paying schools...
- Grant Payments. (1 Dec 2009)
Batt O'Keeffe: I have accommodated the archbishop and the bishop by meeting them. They have appointed a liaison person to work with officials in the Department and have agreed to submit additional information that will outline clearly where there are difficulties. As soon as that is provided, we will work with them to bring about a resolution.
- Primary School Provision. (1 Dec 2009)
Batt O'Keeffe: I am arranging to circulate the list referred to by the Deputy for the information of the House. The forward planning section of my Department carried out an initial demographic analysis utilising the current enrolments in schools, and applied growth scenarios to those figures for each region based on information such as the CSO regional population projections 2011-26 to establish probable...
- Primary School Provision. (1 Dec 2009)
Batt O'Keeffe: I have arranged for it to be circulated to Members.
- Primary School Provision. (1 Dec 2009)
Batt O'Keeffe: My constituency is not in the list in case the Deputy is wondering if there are developing areas in that part of Cork. I have always tried to maintain a balance in funding for schools throughout the country, and I will continue to maintain that balance. Last year, I put funding in place for a summer works scheme that enhanced 2,700 schools. They were not left out at all. The statistics...
- Primary School Provision. (1 Dec 2009)
Batt O'Keeffe: Those areas have not been forgotten. There is the summer works scheme and the devolved grant scheme. I can provide the Deputy with the percentages.