Results 2,121-2,140 of 5,828 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta: Cathaoirleach Ainmnithe (9 Apr 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Go raibh maith agat. I propose that we suspend now for a few minutes to allow the witnesses for our next session to take their seats and to allow Mr. Ó hAiniféin to withdraw.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Status of Non-Teaching Staff in Schools: Discussion (9 Apr 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the sound system, causing difficulties for parliamentary reporters, and television coverage and web streaming can be impacted as well. Will the Deputies and Senators please resume their seats? We are moving to No. 6 on our agenda, which is engagement with stakeholders on the status of non-teaching staff...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Status of Non-Teaching Staff in Schools: Discussion (9 Apr 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Ms White and call Mr. Paul Fiorentini, the president of the ACCS.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Status of Non-Teaching Staff in Schools: Discussion (9 Apr 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I call Mr. David Duffy from the Teachers Union of Ireland, TUI, to make his opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Status of Non-Teaching Staff in Schools: Discussion (9 Apr 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I call on Mr. Andy Pike, Fórsa, to make his opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Status of Non-Teaching Staff in Schools: Discussion (9 Apr 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I call on Ms Breda Lynch of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland, ASTI, to make her opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Status of Non-Teaching Staff in Schools: Discussion (9 Apr 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I invite Ms Tara Carton, principal officer in the Department of Education and Skills, to make her opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Status of Non-Teaching Staff in Schools: Discussion (9 Apr 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Thank you. It is clear from the evidence we have heard that non-teaching staff undoubtedly play a vital role in the workings of a school. I believe secretaries and caretakers are the heartbeat of the school. They have an essential and particular relationship not just with the teaching staff but also with parents and the children. I will call members for their questions. Deputy Jan...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Status of Non-Teaching Staff in Schools: Discussion (9 Apr 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: That is fine.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Status of Non-Teaching Staff in Schools: Discussion (9 Apr 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I have one or two points to make. Deputy McLoughlin referred to the fact that the ancillary grant is capped at €500. There are large schools with 700 or more students. I cannot understand how the Department would think that the grant should be capped at €500 per child because, obviously, there are extra needs, many more classrooms, many more spaces that need to be looked...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Status of Non-Teaching Staff in Schools: Discussion (9 Apr 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is the same point I was making about the ancillary grant stopping at 500 pupils in a school.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Status of Non-Teaching Staff in Schools: Discussion (9 Apr 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Last week. That is good. We will come back to Deputy Jan O'Sullivan. If Ms Lynch does not wish to comment, I call Mr. Pike.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Status of Non-Teaching Staff in Schools: Discussion (9 Apr 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is a good point.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Status of Non-Teaching Staff in Schools: Discussion (9 Apr 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We will go back to the members. I call Deputy Naughton.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Status of Non-Teaching Staff in Schools: Discussion (9 Apr 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: There are some specific questions there for Ms Carton, Mr. Pike and Mr. Duffy. I would also like to ask Ms Carton if the Department has any responsibility or oversight in respect of staff who are in the schools but whom it does not pay directly. If not, who has that responsibility or oversight? Does it rest purely with the boards of management? I will ask Ms Carton to respond to those...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Status of Non-Teaching Staff in Schools: Discussion (9 Apr 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Many of those issues also need to be considered by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; it will go beyond the Department of Education and Skills.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Status of Non-Teaching Staff in Schools: Discussion (9 Apr 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Yes. It is a good idea.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Status of Non-Teaching Staff in Schools: Discussion (9 Apr 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Ms Lynch for that. Ms Moira Leydon, from the ASTI; Mr. Seamus Lahart, the TUI president; Ms Debbie Howlett, from the ETBI; Ms Maria Dunne, the chair of Fórsa's school secretaries branch; Ms Caoimhe Allman, from the Department of Education and Skills; and Mr. John Irwin, the general secretary of the ACCS, are in the Public Gallery. I would like to thank our witnesses for their...

Educational Supports for Children Experiencing Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (3 Apr 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The future of society depends on our ability to foster the healthy development of the next generation. The motion before the House seeks to highlight the effects of toxic stress on children as they make their way through the education system. Toxic stress has been described by academics in many universities when they have looked at the impact of stress on children. There can be no greater...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Apr 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: My question relates to the programme for Government and public transport, which we all agree is significantly important in keeping cars off the roads. It was useful to meet representatives from Irish Rail yesterday in order to examine the company's plans for services after 2027. I want to deal with the here and now, however. Public transport should be affordable, accessible and have...