Results 2,641-2,660 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation Provision (7 Mar 2019)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas as an deis chun an t-ábhar seo a ardú inniu. Is ábhar an-tábhachtach é do go leor tuismitheoirí i gCill Dhéagláin i Contae na Mí, mo Dháilcheantar féin. Tá a lán daoine buartha faoi seo. Tá páistí ag dul ar scoil lasmuigh de Chill Dhéagláin agus lasmuigh de Chontae na Mí,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Electric Vehicles (7 Mar 2019)

Thomas Byrne: I believe that the Minister has had enough dodgy photo opportunities.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Mar 2019)

Thomas Byrne: My issue is literally on promised legislation. Indeed, were the Ceann Comhairle to give an award for the most promised legislation, it would have to go to the parent and student charter Bill. It was announced in December 2016 and underwent committee scrutiny in 2017. The then Minister, Deputy Bruton, at the 2018 teacher conferences, promised online safety protections in the context of that...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Regional Development Policy (7 Mar 2019)

Thomas Byrne: 13. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans for future investment and jobs in County Meath. [11270/19]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Regional Aid (7 Mar 2019)

Thomas Byrne: 36. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the beneficiaries of the EU regional aid status of Kells and north County Meath granted in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11269/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (6 Mar 2019)

Thomas Byrne: 9. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the schools built by a company (details supplied) in which issues were identified; when the review into the design and build programme will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10880/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (6 Mar 2019)

Thomas Byrne: This question seeks an update from the Minister on the Western Building System debacle. Deputy Burton also raised this matter and some of the issues she raised apply to schools in my constituency, such as Educate Together in Ashbourne, Gaelscoil na Mí and St. Paul's national school in Ratoath. At the end of October or the beginning of November last year, on the back of the Western...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (6 Mar 2019)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister has made a quite shocking admission that some of these schools will not be fully remediated or investigated until 2020. That is extremely worrying and concerning. We are already behind the schedule that was indicated to me when I met informally with officials. A much quicker timetable was envisaged for the remediation. I certainly do not blame the Department for the damage...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (6 Mar 2019)

Thomas Byrne: I am glad that I submitted a written parliamentary question because the Minister's answer has changed since then. He is now saying the review will start at the end of the month. That is what we are here for. It is not acceptable that the Minister thought the issue would go away and that he continues to build schools under that programme. The issues identified in the schools are extremely...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Accommodation Provision (6 Mar 2019)

Thomas Byrne: 1. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason fewer additional school places in both primary and secondary schools are predicted to be provided in 2019 despite increased funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11266/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Accommodation Provision (6 Mar 2019)

Thomas Byrne: Although the capital budget for schools has increased by €83 million for 2019, which we welcome, the information provided by the Department of Education and Skills in the Revised Estimates for expenditure shows that, last year, with €83 million less, 18,900 school places were replaced or provided, whereas the Department is forecasting that 18,850 places will be replaced or...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Accommodation Provision (6 Mar 2019)

Thomas Byrne: This issue comes about when we consider outputs for the money spent. We accept the Department of Education and Skills has got more money than in previous years but it has got less for its money. It is a complex area and there seem to be a number of drivers for such changes. Famously, there is the issue of land costs, for example, the €28 million paid for Harold's Cross dog track,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Accommodation Provision (6 Mar 2019)

Thomas Byrne: I do not tend to criticise the Department's building unit that much, other than the fact it does not have enough money. Would it be worthwhile for the Minister to commission a short, focused review of school projects to ensure the State is getting best value for money? I do not know if any external person has looked at this issue such as, for example, the Comptroller and Auditor General. I...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Abbey Theatre (6 Mar 2019)

Thomas Byrne: 29. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of university graduates who are functionally illiterate; the cohorts which are tracked by his Department; if he is working to identify the factors driving decreases in levels of literacy amongst graduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10878/19]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Physical Education Facilities (6 Mar 2019)

Thomas Byrne: 18. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a survey of the available physical education facilities for students studying at senior cycle will be commissioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10882/19]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Funding (6 Mar 2019)

Thomas Byrne: 26. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of detailed economic analysis to be conducted by the European Commission into the funding of third-level education here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10881/19]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Junior Cycle Reform (6 Mar 2019)

Thomas Byrne: 56. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position with regard to a review of history on the junior cycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10879/19]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (6 Mar 2019)

Thomas Byrne: 100. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to increase secondary school places in Gorey, County Wexford. [11085/19]

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2019)

Thomas Byrne: I move amendment No. 39:In page 22, after line 34, to insert the following:“Free Fees Initiative15. In respect of the Free Fees Initiative for third level education in the State, periods of residency in the United Kingdom shall be treated similarly to periods of residency in the EEA and citizens of the United Kingdom shall be treated similarly to citizens of the EEA.”.

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2019)

Thomas Byrne: Cuirim fáilte roimh an tacaíocht ón Rialtas don dá leasú atá curtha os comhair na Dála agam. Tá mé sásta go bhfuil an tAire ag rá go bhfuil siad ag teacht le polasaí an Rialtais. Ní raibh mé in ann a leithéid de ráiteas a fháil ón Aire aon uair a chuir mé ceist air. Tá mé sásta go...