Results 241-260 of 33,392 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: At least we talk to them.

Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions (3 Jul 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Deputy for raising this extremely serious matter and drawing our attention to the reality of what is happening as young minds are reshaped in ways that can do great harm to them, when those young minds have their expectations set regarding what should be permissible and consensual and are putting behaviours in place we know can be so harmful to their well-being and safety in...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: In recognition of the horror that is being inflicted on the people of Gaza, the loss of life, the new low that we are seeing being perpetrated when aid is being used in a way that appears to be assembling people for further deaths and injury, let me outline what the Government has done and what we continue to do to respond in a diplomatic and practical way to this. I refer to the work the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: At what point in my contribution did I look for thanks or recognition? At what point in the statements that I or any other member of the Government has made in relation to what is unfolding in the Middle East have we looked for recognition from the Deputy or, indeed, anybody else?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: What we are doing is using the diplomatic resources that are available to us and our political leadership to make a difference, in practical and political terms, to the people of Gaza and to the horror that is unfolding to them and which has gone on for too long, in calling for a ceasefire, in making the case for a review of the trading relationship with Israel within the European Union, in...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: First, I want to deal with the different language and points that the Deputy has made before I come to the really important issue of Elaine, her children and her children's future. For the Deputy to use language such as “stacking the deck against students” does no justice to the seriousness of this cause and demeans the need for serious debate regarding important decisions that...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: It is because of my respect for those families that it is important to give a clear and honest answer. It is important to recognise that those families also have other needs and issues that they want our country to make progress on. In order for us to make progress on those collectively, we have to make decisions as part of the budget process so we can ensure that the changes we make are...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: -----not only with questions on this but on many other priorities they want to see the Government make progress on. It is what we have done each year. We will need to do that now in the context of having normal budgets in a world that is becoming more uncertain and complex. We will need to look at how we can make improvements, budget by budget. That is why, as has always been the case, we...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: The brevity of the Deputy's question gives me a moment to outline what Government is already doing to help with student accommodation-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: -----and to make a difference to what we know is a huge cost for many families. The Government is clear in recognising education, particularly higher and further education, allows students to fulfil their potential and plays a vital role in the economic development of our country in creating jobs and culture that is the heart of the progress Ireland is making. Let me outline the supports...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: At present, with the support the Government has made available through the Minister, Deputy Lawless, as well as the work of this Government and the previous one, one in three students did not pay a student contribution. At present, half of students, through the SUSI scheme available, are supported in costs for becoming students, which we know are difficult. The Government has adjusted the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: Today, households with an income of up to €64,000 do not pay a student contribution. For those families who have more family members or a higher number of children, that ceiling is higher again. For post-graduate education, maintenance grants have been fully restored and a SUSI support is now available for the first time for those in hybrid or part-time education. That is what the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy's question may have been brief-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: -----but the answer to it is longer in outlining the supports and difference we already make and want to build upon.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: It is exactly because this issue is life-defining for so many that Government already has supports in place.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: Of course, Sinn Féin will never acknowledge this in any contribution it makes. The difference between those of us who sit over here and Deputy Carthy is that we are interested in solutions rather than sound bites.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: We are interested in action that will make a difference-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: -----rather than the Deputy's attempt at action on the issue of the day.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: The answer to this question-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: -----is the same answer that has been given at every other point in recent years. As this is such an important issue, it must be decided budget by budget-----