Results 961-980 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: I will get back to the Deputy with a more specific answer but I surmise that the legislation will be complex. We will see whether we can accelerate the timeline for it. We are a generous people but I concur with the Minister for Justice that the majority who apply for protection are economic migrants. The work permits system has proved to be very effective in terms of targeting and in...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: My understanding is that the numbers have grown exponentially. For this school year, the numbers have again increased very significantly in terms of SNAs generally. There are close to 23,500 special needs assistants in our school system right now. These are enormous numbers. The increases have been quite dramatic over the past number of years. I will check in respect of the specifics of...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: Four Government Deputies have spoken out of 11 speakers.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: If people want, we can provide more. We can provide four if that could be facilitated. I appreciate Deputy Gannon's generosity in wanting to share time with Government Deputies. That is kind of in line with Government thinking. On Deputy O'Flynn's question, we need to review the regulatory framework governing energy prices, particularly in terms of the user base. It will not be easy...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (4 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together. Ireland's well-being framework is a Government initiative to measure progress and policy impact in Ireland in a more holistic way. The framework consists of 11 dimensions that reflect different aspects of well-being. It is supported by a dashboard hosted by the Central Statistics Office and composed of 35 indicators that...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: I certainly welcome CBS Charleville to Dáil Éireann. I hope they have a fruitful, enjoyable and enlightening day. I wish Maddie a very happy birthday. I presume it is because of her birthday that everyone is here to enjoy themselves. In respect of the defective blocks scheme, the State was anxious to recover some revenue, given the extraordinary outlay involved in the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Lahart for bringing home the reality of our bus services for consumers and users. We are endeavouring to encourage people to use our buses but this is a truly shocking story. I will bring this to the attention of the Minister. We have recently heard quite a number of cases like this.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising an important issue regarding school transport. I will certainly talk to the Minister regarding the specific case and bus route the Deputy raised. There are changes under way in respect of the school transport scheme. I do not have the exact timelines but I will talk to the Minister and revert back to the Deputy on this.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: I will talk to the Minister in respect of the issue the Deputy has raised and I will ask him to revert back to her with the up-to-date position.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: Aontaím leis an Teachta. Is féidir linn cabhair agus tacaíocht a thabhairt d'Fhoras na Gaeilge. Tuigim go bhfuil brú airgeadais ar Fhoras na Gaeilge agus fógra tugtha ag an mbord le déanaí go mbeidh air maoiniú a ghearradh ó chuid dá scéimeanna mar bheart éigeandála, agus is cúis díomá é sin don Rialtas....

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Boland for raising this matter. The Government is fully committed to delivering high quality, affordable and accessible childcare for all families. It is interesting to point out that investment in early learning and care in school-age childcare has quadrupled in the past decade, increasing from €260 million in 2015 to €1.37 billion in 2025. The number of...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: Given the behaviour of Russia over a decade, and in particular in the past three years, it is incomprehensible that we would allow Russia to have a veto.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: That is the view. Other aspects of the existing legislation need to change. The figure of 12 should be brought up to 50. There are other missions like the drug narcotics international group, of which we are a member. We cannot send a ship to track down narcotics because of the existing legislation.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: The climate action plan will be published in the next number of weeks. The Government is absolutely committed to addressing the issues presented by climate change. We have made significant progress over the past four years. I have referenced the massive population increase in Ireland since 1990, more than 1.5 million people. The economy has grown very strongly since then. The number of...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Government is very committed to doing that and the big story will be our success and the pace at which we can deliver offshore renewables and solar power, which will be the big game changers.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Minister of State, Deputy Mary Butler, met SOSAD before Christmas. My understanding is that there has been ongoing engagement between SOSAD and the HSE mental health services. That will continue. Engagement is continuing with the HSE in Louth-Meath and SOSAD on the steps required to complete a funding application. It is doing very good work. As I said, the Minister met the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. The Little Angels School is a multidenominational school catering to pupils with moderate, severe and profound learning disabilities aged up to 18 years. It is my understanding a new state-of-the-art school building is nearing completion and is due to open in the coming weeks. The new building will offer a range of specialist accommodation...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Education is engaging with the school on this reconfiguration. The Minister of State has asked the Department officials whether another request from the school to continue to use its former building, which is owned by the HSE, can be considered and is awaiting an urgent update.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: Fundamentally, it will be within the spirit of the UN Charter, but we do not want countries like Russia in particular vetoing or having the ultimate decision on whether Ireland should send its military on a peacekeeping mission. It is very simple.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----in addition to what was already there and eight minutes on a Thursday, pales into insignificance-----