Results 3,381-3,400 of 4,933 for speaker:Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Approved Housing Bodies: Discussion (2 Jul 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: My question on affordable housing was answered. Affordable housing is crucial and we all know about it. There is definitely a lack of communication between the Department of Housing, Community and Local Government, local authorities, builders and approved housing bodies, whether that body is Clúid, Respond! or Tuath. There should be more awareness of one another and more meetings....

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage (26 Jun 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I second the Bill and compliment Senator Gallagher, who has done so much work on this. It is sad that we have to pass this Bill. On a weekly basis, members of our emergency services are being targeted in their roles. Nurses have been to the fore when it comes to assaults on medical staff, accounting for almost 70% of total assaults on hospital staff over the past ten years. These are all...

Seanad: Adoption, Information and Tracing: Statements (19 Jun 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister. I agree with the previous speakers. It is crucial that we pause the Bill now to give all the relevant stakeholders an opportunity to have their voices heard. This is about information, which is very important to people. It is important that we strike a balance. We need more time because there is not enough balance in this Bill. If pausing this Bill today makes for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Insurance Costs (18 Jun 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister for taking this Commencement matter. I discussed the issue of Saplings special school a few months ago with the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Finian McGrath, but am delighted to welcome the Minister for Education and Skills to the House today to discuss it. I want to tell the Minister about an incredible school about which I have spoken in this...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Insurance Costs (18 Jun 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: This is important because, as the Minister is aware, Saplings and other 15 schools have been affected by huge increases in insurance costs. It is a worry for the parents, the school and the principal. Everyone to whom I have spoken agrees that the group scheme proposal would be the best way to go forward. I would appreciate the Minister's support. I know Saplings special school would...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Insurance Costs (18 Jun 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I never miss an opportunity.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Insurance Costs (18 Jun 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I know.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Jun 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Today I want to highlight the achievement of a Carlow woman, Ms Cathy Reddy, who was selected from more than 10,000 amateur, professional and hobby artists from across the UK, Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, and the Republic of Ireland to take part in the television show, "Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year". The competition offers artists the chance...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Affordable Housing: Discussion (18 Jun 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank everybody present. Affordable housing is important, particularly now that we are in a housing crisis. The main issue facing us is that of the people who fall between the cracks. They do not qualify to go on the local housing list and therefore are paying up to €1,200 or €1,300 per month and do not qualify for a mortgage. This has left a massive hole in housing,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Affordable Housing: Discussion (18 Jun 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: That is good to know.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Affordable Housing: Discussion (18 Jun 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Information is crucial in this case. The projects mentioned by Mr. Baneham and Mr. O'Neill are more like pilot schemes for the rest of us to learn from. It is crucial that they are done right and that they give people the opportunity to afford a house. All of us will probably learn lessons from them from now on. They will be pilot schemes for the rest of the country. It is crucial that...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Needs Assistants (13 Jun 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State for coming. I have a very important issue that I would like to speak to her about. Last month the Department issued the news that 800 new special needs assistants were to be allocated to schools from September. The reason given was that there was a record number of children in mainstream schools who required support. While I welcome the early announcement as...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Needs Assistants (13 Jun 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: As a teacher, the Minister of State would have been-----

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Needs Assistants (13 Jun 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State for reply. I knew the Minister was not coming to the House and I felt it was appropriate the Minister of State, as a former principal and teacher, should be here. I have concerns about the appeals process, although the appeal has gone to the NCSE. The Department of Education and Skills and the Minister announced that these extra 800 special needs assistants...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jun 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Last year, the World Health Organization, WHO, designated the compulsive playing of video games as a new mental health condition. We are not talking openly about this issue. Parents are worried and feel helpless when they see the damage being done and they do not understand or know the dangers because we are not having the conversation. Some parents will be frightened. This condition will...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jun 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: The Senator did the same last week on the housing Bill. There was nobody here. There was nobody from Fine Gael here for the housing Bill, which is the biggest Bill ever.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jun 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: That is true. That is what happened last week.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jun 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I could have many an argument-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jun 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: The Leader did not mention the mental health committee meeting. That was the issue I raised.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jun 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Can the Leader give me a time for when this will happen? It has been eight months now. Can he give us an update on when it is expected?