Results 16,541-16,560 of 16,608 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Merger: Irish Sports Council and National Sports Campus Development Authority (19 Feb 2014)

Helen McEntee: I thank the organisations for their presentations. They have answered many questions and have been very clear and concise. I was going to raise the issue of the betting Bill and I know the sports capital grants will be announced this year and there is always a scramble for them. Last night I met an athletics organisation which raised approximately €85,000. Even if it got a fraction...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Textbooks Rental Scheme (18 Feb 2014)

Helen McEntee: 273. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Meath will be included in the book rental scheme grant, in view of the fact that the parents and the school provided funding for a book rental scheme, which has impacted greatly on the schools financial resources; if he will reconsider this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7932/14]

Topical Issue Debate: Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage (4 Feb 2014)

Helen McEntee: Down's syndrome is classified as a qualifying condition under the mental handicap heading of the LTI scheme. In most cases that happens, but having spoken to Down Syndrome Ireland and some families affected, there are cases where families have to go through an appeals process. This is a lot of hassle for them and puts stress and pressure on them. Perhaps, therefore, this issue might be...

Topical Issue Debate: Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage (4 Feb 2014)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy White, for taking this Topical Issue. The reason I raised the matter is that since I was elected last year it has continuously come to my door. I suppose it is an issue that has been raised on several different levels. I am not the first person to raise this topic, not by a long shot. The Department of Health is under...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 31 - Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (23 Jan 2014)

Helen McEntee: I am delighted the service has received the funding. It works extremely well with the Coast Guard and deserves every penny it gets.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 31 - Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (23 Jan 2014)

Helen McEntee: In addition to the €11.5 million, what is the total spend for the sports capital programme this year? Is funding that was not drawn down last year included in this Estimate or will the Department wait to disperse it next January?

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 31 - Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (23 Jan 2014)

Helen McEntee: The Minister has been listening to our pleas for many months and I thank him for his help.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 31 - Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (23 Jan 2014)

Helen McEntee: I agree with Deputy Ellis on roadside drug testing. It is a great initiative and it is brilliant that it is to be introduced. When does the Minister envisage its being introduced? When will the officers who will be carrying out the testing be trained in, and how will this happen? Funding for roads has obviously decreased because the Minister is trying to work within a budget. He has...

Charities (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (22 Jan 2014)

Helen McEntee: I welcome the chance to speak in this debate. The community and voluntary sector is one of the largest in the State and it makes a huge contribution to the economy, not to mention society as a whole. We are all aware of community and voluntary groups' great importance. We recognise the role they play in supporting the State in areas such as health service delivery and community development....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Tendering of Bus Services: National Transport Authority (22 Jan 2014)

Helen McEntee: If the contract for a bus route is priced €100 less than that of another company, I find it difficult to believe that if the company is paying a driver and paying for diesel, paying VAT and paying for all the other costs involved, another company can provide the service for €100 less. That is where the problem lies.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Tendering of Bus Services: National Transport Authority (22 Jan 2014)

Helen McEntee: I thank Mr. Murphy for his presentation. What regulation is involved or what balances or checks will be in place for Bus Éireann routes that will be tendered out to private coach companies. Mr. Murphy spoke about performance targets and cost savings, but it all comes down to cost. I disagree with Deputy Ellis that the delivery of service will suffer as I believe it will be the smaller...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Management (19 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: 12. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the traffic statistics for Slane, County Meath during the recent toll holiday; the increase-decrease of HGV's through the village during the toll holiday period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54139/13]

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: I wish to share my time with Deputy Alan Farrell.

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: Deputies will have to forgive me; I am out of breath, because I ran from the Department of the Taoiseach to be here. I thank the Acting Chairman. To say I am delighted to be speaking on this legislation and seeing it before the Dáil is possibly the biggest understatement of the year. The legislation means so much to so many people who have put up with pyrite for so many years in what...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: I move amendment No. 1: In page 8, line 27, to delete “6” and substitute “7”.At present, once a person receives 12 penalty points he or she is banned from driving. It has been brought to my attention that if a new system comes into play whereby a person who is caught speeding receives three penalty points, a learner or novice driver who equals or exceeds six...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: Would the proposed change be viewed as giving people an option to behave recklessly on the roads?

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: I move amendment No. 2: In page 8, line 38, to delete “6” and substitute “7”.

Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects Status (11 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: The building of a new secondary school in the town of Kells is an extremely important issue for the town and the surrounding communities. The local community supports the building of a new school but wants it to be completed as soon as possible. It is equally important that the right site is chosen and the future and current needs are met. I and my colleague, Deputy Hannigan, other local...

Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects Status (11 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Minister for his response. There are technical issues that have to be addressed, such as costs and timely delivery. The fact that the landowner is willing to do a land swap and this could be completed within a short timeframe, under three months, would significantly speed up the process. A full review of both sites would be very worthwhile and will make clear what has been said.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Language Issues (11 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: 123. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps being taken by his Department to progress the recognition of Irish Sign Language as an official language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53258/13]