Results 1-20 of 4,089 for speaker:Mairead Farrell

Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion [Private Members] (14 May 2024)

Mairead Farrell: I first want to welcome the bereaved families to the Gallery this evening, along with everyone who is involved with Justice for the Forgotten. They have my support, as well as the support of these benches, in their campaign for truth and justice. Their struggle for justice, despite the barriers they have faced, is absolutely inspirational. Truth, as all families who have been impacted by...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Mairead Farrell: The Government's current target for apprentices in 2025 is 10,000, but he has not even reached the 2020 target of 9,000. There is no specific target for craft apprentices, which is absolutely crucial because these are the people we want to build the homes we so desperately need. The Taoiseach constantly says that the apprenticeship system is employer-led and demand driven. However, he...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Mairead Farrell: They are not all craft apprenticeships.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Mairead Farrell: They are not craft apprenticeships.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Regulation of the English Language Sector: Discussion (14 May 2024)

Mairead Farrell: I thank the witnesses for coming in and sharing their experiences. I know the experiences have been very difficult, but to have to come forward can be very difficult as well. We really appreciate them coming before this committee. I thank them very much for that because it has been incredibly important. Mr. Ó Luain's opening statement set out the challenges and experiences very well....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Regulation of the English Language Sector: Discussion (14 May 2024)

Mairead Farrell: How is the accreditation and coordination of English language services, ACELS, functioning? Have the witnesses had any engagement with it on the various issues that students have encountered? I am aware I only have limited time but there will be other questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Regulation of the English Language Sector: Discussion (14 May 2024)

Mairead Farrell: I might finish with one question. Why has it been so slow in terms of regulation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Regulation of the English Language Sector: Discussion (14 May 2024)

Mairead Farrell: That is why Mr. Ó Luain thinks it has been so slow in terms of regulation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Regulation of the English Language Sector: Discussion (14 May 2024)

Mairead Farrell: While people are suffering.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Regulation of the English Language Sector: Discussion (14 May 2024)

Mairead Farrell: Before she does so, Mr. Ó Luain mentioned that Department officials confirmed that significant knowledge gaps had been uncovered within the sector. What kind of improvement in data collection oversight is needed? Could this be added to the experiences?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Regulation of the English Language Sector: Discussion (14 May 2024)

Mairead Farrell: I thank our guests for their presentation. The Irish Council for International Students made a presentation in the AV room and it does incredible work to try to raise this issue. My first question is about the lack inspections of schools that Mr. Ó Luain mentioned. Why is there light-touch regulation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Regulation of the English Language Sector: Discussion (14 May 2024)

Mairead Farrell: Mr. Hearne mentioned self-assessment and monitoring. We have seen in many sectors that self-regulation can, unfortunately, often lead to no regulation. I am not saying that is the case in this sector but one would obviously have a concern. Instead of such a system, what are our guests saying needs to be done, how and by whom, to ensure there is regulation? If they had three buzzwords to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Regulation of the English Language Sector: Discussion (14 May 2024)

Mairead Farrell: That is fair. Ms Harmon said the industry is worth €1 billion. What are our guests' fears in respect of the long-term impact if the situation continues as it is at the moment and if something is not done? We have heard so clearly about the real-life impact these issues have on people and the thousands of euro they save and lose through scams and all of that. The real-life impact is...

Affordable Housing: Motion [Private Members] (8 May 2024)

Mairead Farrell: Around this time five years ago, local elections took place. We heard all the talk that there was going to be affordable housing delivered on the east side of Galway city. I distinctly remember people asking about the affordable housing that was going to be delivered. Since then, in the past five years people have consistently come to me and asked when that affordable housing will be...

Europe Day: Statements (8 May 2024)

Mairead Farrell: Today, on the eve of Europe Day, of course we look at the positives that Europe has offered Ireland and that Ireland has offered Europe in return. I want to look at something in my brief of further and higher education. This relates to a proposal about research that has come to light and causes me concern. We know how important research is. It looks at planning for the future and how best...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Mairead Farrell: Apprentices have been clear that they feel forgotten by this Government. We have seen how the large waiting lists for off-the-job training impacts on their ability to earn. Large numbers are dropping out and now we have figures that prove only a small minority in the craft apprenticeship sector are finishing in the standard four year period. If we suddenly saw that people on four-year...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Mairead Farrell: I have them.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Mairead Farrell: It is 16%-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 May 2024)

Mairead Farrell: The Government has not. I have the figures with me.