Results 1-20 of 68 for going forward speaker:Mairead Farrell

Recent Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (14 Feb 2024)

Mairead Farrell: Cuirim fáilte roimh an bplé seo ach go háirithe ós rud é go bhfuil an Feidhmeannas tar éis teacht le chéile arís agus is rud iontach é sin dár ndóigh. Tréaslaím le mo chomhghleacaí féin Michelle O’Neill a post nua agus tá mé ag súil le feiceáil céard a bhéas á dhéanamh...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Mairead Farrell: If the State, Government, universities, or whoever it may be, wished to feed into students, that could work though the social media platforms of the three organisations before the committee today, as they have a bigger reach among the age group we wish to target. I believe that is something we could put forward. As for the timing of university places being announced, it is a massive issue...

Research and Innovation Bill 2023: Second Stage (31 Jan 2024)

Mairead Farrell: ...we are discussing the Bill in the Dáil today and I am also glad to see so many Members have indicated they want to participate in this particular discussion. As the Minister mentioned, I also look forward in the coming weeks to having that collaboration and looking at the Bill in even greater detail because, of course, we are hoping we will see from this a new departure for promoting...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Revised) (31 Jan 2024)

Mairead Farrell: ...question from Deputy Ó Cathasaigh. Last week, we had a conversation with the Minister, Deputy Harris, in regard to technological universities and what their accommodation situation looks like going forward. I am glad that that the Minister of State is aware of the difference between on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet. That is really welcome but we were discussing whether they...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Accommodation (18 Jan 2024)

Mairead Farrell: ...design, which is welcome? The reality is that announcements give people hope. At present, students are deciding which colleges to select on their CAO form based on whether they can afford to go to a college away from home. That comes down specifically to the issue of housing. We have seen the increase in the number of deferrals as a result of the housing crisis. I am concerned at...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Mairead Farrell: ...worse. As the Aire mentioned, we were very lucky in Galway that there was no loss of life. We need to do everything in our power to ensure the people and the communities of Galway are protected going forward. I note he said there were not enough of these specialists, particularly the specialist engineers, both on a national level and on an international level. Does he know if we are...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairead Farrell: Why was the decision made to go for a once-off rather than a permanent reduction? There is obviously an impact on the cost. People are going through a cost-of-living crisis and we do not see an end to that in sight. Given people are doing forward planning about whether their children can access third level education why was a decision made, I suppose by the Ministers, to go for a once-off...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairead Farrell: I thank the Minister of State. It is simply that people were very much expecting there was going to be a permanent reduction. I was taken by surprise on budget day when there was not. The other thing that took me by surprise that day was there was no mention of student accommodation in either of the Ministers' Budget Statements. I am acutely aware the Minister of State did not write those...

Science Week: Statements (16 Nov 2023)

Mairead Farrell: ...the essential inputs which make scientific research possible. I have spoken to many students who are just beginning to pursue their scientific degrees. As we know, many students have had to go outside of Ireland because perhaps courses are not available. They might have to go to different places in the EU. There is also the issue of accommodation costs. The fees may be even higher...

Imposing Sanctions on Israel: Motion [Private Members] (15 Nov 2023)

Mairead Farrell: "Everything in Gaza is upside down. It is hell to be honest. It is hard to find food, hard to find water. It's hard for everyone. I am lucky. I am so happy that I am going to leave." Those were the words we heard this morning from Ayman Shaheen as he prepared to pass the Rafah crossing into Egypt. The hell in Gaza continues and, as we debate this motion, Israeli soldiers are raiding...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (7 Nov 2023)

Mairead Farrell: 529. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills what progress has been made on the issue of 'fair post-primary redeployment for teachers'; the plans going forward to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48419/23]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Reports (21 Sep 2023)

Mairead Farrell: We have been discussing the considerable burden of the cost of accommodation on students and the very real impact that has on students' ability to access third level education. Students who are going into sixth year now are considering what they will do, going forward, and wondering if they will be able to access third level education. Another thing that needs to be talked about is the...

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (11 Jul 2023)

Mairead Farrell: ...because they cannot afford the fees under this Government or housing by any stretch. The Government’s solution to this is to build unaffordable accommodation. It tells us that it is bringing forward student accommodation but it is at rents that students simply cannot afford. The other matter on which the Government is focusing is digs. When I was in college 12 years ago, digs...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Construction Safety Licensing Bill 2023: Committee Stage (27 Jun 2023)

Mairead Farrell: ...those people who are qualified and have that. Let us say that I want to do this next year. If I wanted to work in the sector and I did not have a leaving certificate, how would that impact me going forward? I am aware it is up to a third-level institution to decide, given points and everything like that. What I mean is if I were to decide that I wanted to get this level 5 certification...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Construction Safety Licensing Bill 2023: Committee Stage (27 Jun 2023)

Mairead Farrell: .... Both the Minister of State and the Minister will always say that they want to get people in to do different courses and that kind of thing. Obviously, we do not want to shut down their paths going forward - that it will have the same level of impact. I am happy, at this point, to have that tease-out discussion at another time with officials and I hope I will be satisfied on that....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (22 Jun 2023)

Mairead Farrell: ...and improved times, all of which is very positive. One of the things I had been calling for over a long time was a night bus, so I think the 24-hour route is a very important and positive step forward. I live in Mervue, which has always had a bus stop. There is a huge issue of concern for the people of Mervue at this point because there is a proposal to get rid of that bus stop. It...

Construction Safety Licensing Bill 2023: Second Stage (3 May 2023)

Mairead Farrell: Go raibh maith agat. That sounds like a good group so I might see if I can join them afterwards with Deputy O’Connor. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Collins. This marks my first time engaging with the Minister of State in my new role as spokesperson on higher education. As it is also the first legislation that I get to deal with...

Rent Reduction Bill 2023: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Apr 2023)

Mairead Farrell: I commend People Before Profit-Solidarity on bringing forward the motion. I have a couple of points I wish to raise in my limited time. At the start of this week, a survey conducted by Galway Chamber showed the real-life impact we all knew was happening, but it was good to get a detailed survey that showed the impact the housing crisis in Galway city is having across the board, including on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: The Future of STEM in Irish Education: Discussion (Resumed). (25 Apr 2023)

Mairead Farrell: Gabhaim buíochas leis na finnéithe as teacht os comhair an choiste. This is only my second week as a member of the committee. I am still learning and am looking forward to learning more. However, my questions will not be the most detailed or specific at this point. I found all the opening statements extremely interesting. As I looked through them, it caught my eye that an...