Results 6,281-6,300 of 10,319 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Special Needs Education: Discussion (20 Apr 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: Does Ms Hart want to come in there as well?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Special Needs Education: Discussion (20 Apr 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: If I can, I have another question for both Mr. Harris and Dr. Muldoon in respect of the opening of ASD classrooms. In my constituency, Dublin Bay South, there is a severe shortage of ASD classrooms in primary schools. I note Mr. Harris indicated it is perhaps as a result of class or issues such as that, but it may be more complicated than that. I know from my experience in the area that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Special Needs Education: Discussion (20 Apr 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Special Needs Education: Discussion (20 Apr 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: Does Dr. Muldoon want to add to that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Special Needs Education: Discussion (20 Apr 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I concur that hesitancy should not come into it. In fact, there needs to be a recognition that providing ASD classrooms should be as fundamental as providing junior infants, and schools need to recognise that. I thank the Vice Chairman.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 7 - Office of the Minister for Finance (Revised)
Vote 8 - Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Revised)
Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Revised)
Vote 10 - Tax Appeals Commission (Revised) (20 Apr 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Minister for coming before us. I am slightly concerned about the narrative developing in the public domain and in some elements of politics with regard to foreign direct investment and our corporation tax policy. We recognise that President Biden is going to be a very consequential president in the United States. The reason this issue is being discussed now is that he has put...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 7 - Office of the Minister for Finance (Revised)
Vote 8 - Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Revised)
Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Revised)
Vote 10 - Tax Appeals Commission (Revised) (20 Apr 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Minister. Has he had an opportunity to look at the proposal by the three banks in which the State has an interest, AIB, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB, in respect of Synch Payments, a service these banks suggest will provide for instant payments? Some people believe it is an anti-competitive measure. Has the Minister had an opportunity to look at that? Does he have any...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 7 - Office of the Minister for Finance (Revised)
Vote 8 - Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Revised)
Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Revised)
Vote 10 - Tax Appeals Commission (Revised) (20 Apr 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I will conclude by saying that we already have instant payments and asking the Minister to have a close look at the proposal because I have a slight concern that it could be interpreted as an anti-competitive measure, and could be effective as such a measure, which would have the consequence of preventing other financial institutions entering the Irish market. Nobody wants to see that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Special Needs Education: Discussion (13 Apr 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Ms Mannion and Ms McGrath for their opening statements. Regrettably, I want to ask questions once again about an issue that is very prominent in my constituency. It relates to the shortage of autism special classes at primary level in Dublin 4, 6 and 6W. I preface these questions by giving the committee some statistics. It is known that the average proportion of autism special...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Special Needs Education: Discussion (13 Apr 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am aware of the section 37A process that applied to south Dublin. The problem is that when south Dublin is taken as an entity, the problem is not as pronounced because the percentage of ASD places per student population in south Dublin is about 0.7%. If south Dublin is narrowed down to Dublin 4, 6 and 6W, however, the figure is reduced to 0.154%. We need a more focused audit that will...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Special Needs Education: Discussion (13 Apr 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: Ms McGrath is correct and I commend the schools involved. Star of the Sea and Scoil Mhuire will establish special classes from next September. Those schools are both in Dublin 4. I and a number of other local Deputies visited other schools in the area, for instance, the national boys' and girls' schools in Ringsend. They would be prepared to go along with this but need to be given the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Special Needs Education: Discussion (13 Apr 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: Can I take it that all new school building projects will include the provision of ASD classrooms?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Special Needs Education: Discussion (13 Apr 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: Would anyone from the Department like to come in on that question?

Children (Amendment) Bill 2020 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (1 Apr 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Minister and commend her for taking on board the concerns I expressed in the debate on Second Stage on 11 March. She also communicated with Senator McDowell in the Upper House. I also want to commend the Attorney General. The amendments make it far clearer to a court the intention of the Oireachtas when it comes to the amendment to section 252. I welcome the first two...

Children (Amendment) Bill 2020 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (31 Mar 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I said virtually everything I wanted to say on 11 March last. The next day, I wrote a letter to the Minister setting out my concerns about the way the Bill is drafted. I put forward some suggestions as to how I thought the Bill could be improved. I thank the Minister for the reply, which she sent on me at the end of last week. I am pleased to say the Minister indicated to me that she has...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (31 Mar 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: 67. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of the programme for Government commitment on a senior executive accountability regime to deliver heightened accountability with the banking system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17143/21]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Industry (31 Mar 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: 117. To ask the Minister for Finance the measures he is taking to address high insurance costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17144/21]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fiscal Data (31 Mar 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: 355. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of the public finances; if the forecasts made at the time of the October 2020 budget have been revised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1856/21]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (31 Mar 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: 828. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there will be an additional extension allowed for expired immigration permits given the situation with Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17321/21]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (31 Mar 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: 807. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank attached to the Wicklow divisional drugs unit as of 1 January 2020 and 23 March 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16839/21]