Results 481-500 of 6,887 for speaker:James Lawless

Student Fees: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: I have reiterated-----

Student Fees: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: I have reiterated my commitment to the programme for Government. Some parties want to make noise; I want to make progress.

Student Fees: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: It is not a policy decision. That is what I am saying.

Student Fees: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "recognises that: — the Government is committed to easing the burden for students and their families; — the Government will progress its Programme for Government commitments to improve supports for students by increasing maintenance grants, reducing the student...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: No.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: Addressing shortages in critical health and social care professions, particularly in the disability sector, is a top priority for the government. In April 2025, in response to a request from the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Disability, I requested my officials to established an interdepartmental working group to address additional places and associated placements for the expansion of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: The Public Service Apprenticeship Plan, jointly published by my Department and the then Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Deliver, and Reform, is a key commitment under my Department’s Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021–2025. It sets a clear roadmap to expand apprenticeship opportunities in the public service, targeting 750 annual registrations by 2025. Public service...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: I would like to thank the Deputy for his question. Located at the National Construction Training Campus in Mount Lucas, the National Demonstration Park for modern methods of construction will serve as a national hub to showcase housing MMC products and systems. It is designed to facilitate training, awareness-raising, and industry engagement. In order to progress the Park, we have...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121, 124, 130 and 131 together. I am acutely conscious of the financial challenges facing students and the need for the progressive implementation of measures to address costs as a barrier to education. I am committed to easing this burden for students and their families in a financially sustainable way. Almost all full-time undergraduate students have...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Mental Health Services (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: Mental health and wellbeing of our third-level students is an ongoing priority for this Government and my Department and I remain committed to enhancing mental health supports across the sector. My Department has allocated a total of nearly €32 million to support higher education institutions in meeting the mental health and wellbeing needs of students since 2020. I am pleased to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: I look forward to engaging with stakeholders this year as my Department reviews the current Action Plan and develops a new five-year strategy for the apprenticeship system from 2026.Apprenticeship funding has grown significantly, with €77 million allocated in Budget 2025 bringing the total to €339 million, an 84% increase since 2020. This investment, alongside strong employer...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: Investment in the apprenticeship system has been significant since the formation of my Department in 2020. To ensure an adequate pipeline of skilled apprentices to support Government targets on housing and infrastructure development, Government invested €77 million in the apprenticeship system in Budget 2025, bringing the total current budget for apprenticeship to €339 million....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: When craft apprentices attend “off-the-job” training in Education and Training Board or Higher Education facilities they receive a fortnightly State-paid training allowance. This is not a wage and there is no contract of employment between SOLAS and the apprentice. Neither SOLAS nor my Department are involved in the setting of wages for craftspersons or apprentices....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: Government has demonstrated a strong and sustained commitment to apprenticeships. Since the formation of Department of Further and Higher Education Innovation Research and Science, and the publication of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025, investment in apprenticeship training has increased by 85%, from €184 million in 2020 to €339 million in 2025 This investment...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Disability Services (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: My Department has made significant progress regarding the range of supports and programmes for learners with disabilities, including neurodivergent people, to assist students with disabilities in their transition from secondary to third level education, particularly in areas such as academic supports, accessibility, accommodation, and mental health services. The Programme for Access to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: I thank the Deputy for his question. Louth Meath ETB (LMETB) is currently being supported by SOLAS in developing its Preliminary Business Case (PBC) proposal for Dunboyne under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund. The proposal submitted by LMETB involves the construction of a new, fit-for-purpose facility on a greenfield site in Dunboyne. This new facility is intended to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: 695. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide comparative data between the number of cattle that fail the bovine TB skin test and the number of cattle subsequently confirmed to have TB lesions at slaughter; if he will review current testing methodologies for accuracy in light of these figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37145/25]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: 696. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of animals slaughtered with TB actually have TB; if he will review current testing methodologies for accuracy in light of these figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37146/25]

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (3 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to address this important matter. He is correct that some of this dates back to commitments that were given last year. I am working through the issues. There was an issue with backlogs that arose over the last two years which are now working their way through the system. Apprentices who should have been out through the system and qualified...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (3 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: The current Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021–2025 is under review, and preparations are underway to engage stakeholders in shaping the next plan, which will cover the years 2026–2030. A key focus of this upcoming plan will be the development of an Integrated Apprenticeship System, which will include considerations of matters you have raised. It is important to note that...