Results 1,761-1,780 of 2,476 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne
- Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Pension Provisions (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for taking this item which concerns the pension entitlements of those in the research sector. I am sure that, like me, he agrees that for our researchers it is essential that there is a very strong and clear career path for them and that as part of that, their pension entitlements are clarified and indeed that they are entitled to pensions. One of the things...
- Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Pension Provisions (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. There is very little I would disagree with, except that the answer that has been prepared for him does not respond directly to my question other than to say that his Department is continuing to work on this matter and that there will be an answer shortly. The researchers who are impacted by this situation are concerned because many of them have...
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: I will raise three matters. Today, the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, announced a series of welcome reforms to the leaving certificate. I ask for a debate on those reforms in the very near future, which I am sure can be facilitated. I particularly welcome the introduction of two new subjects, one in the area of drama, film and theatre studies, and the second in the area of climate...
- Seanad: Impact on Farming Sector Arising from the Situation in Ukraine: Statements (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. A number of points were made by colleagues that I would certainly agree with. I agree with Senator Lombard about the implications for global food security. We are seeing rising grain prices on international markets, particularly in Turkey and the Middle East. I have concerns that half of the wheat used in Lebanon is imported from Ukraine, 22% of that used...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: I thank all of our witnesses for their evidence thus far. The primary purpose of these meetings is to discuss the future funding of higher education and in that context, I want to go into a number of issues. One of my key concerns is access and ensuring access for everybody at different levels within the system. My first question relates to decisions around priorities. I ask each of our...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: I am conscious of time constraints so I will ask the witnesses, from left to right, to make their choice, starting with Dr. Seoighe.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: I note that all three witnesses have slightly avoided answering my question. I am going to ask Mr. Donohoe directly-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: My next question is for Dr. Smyth because I know the ESRI has done a lot of work on this. One of our objectives is to ensure we have an adequately funded higher education system that does not inhibit access in any way. What measures do we need to take, apart from the overall funding issue?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: I agree with the comments by a number of those on the research side with regard to precarity but I do not want to go into that now. I have submitted a Commencement matter for discussion in the Seanad this afternoon on the question of researcher pensions. Do the IRC, SFI or the researcher representatives want to comment on that question?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: There is a problem that some researchers, particularly in the TU sector, have been excluded from the pension-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: I appreciate that but-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: I appreciate that but the issue of funding includes the pension question and, dare I say it, a number of my colleagues have drifted beyond the core issue, which is the critical question of funding.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: To go back to the overall question, Mr. Donohoe mentioned that it is six years since the Cassells report was published and we are still waiting. Why does he think a decision has not been made yet?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: As Mr. Donohoe will be aware, the Minister has floated the idea of cutting student fees. I have significant concerns about doing that, particularly if they are cut without the underlying funding question being addressed. If he does proceed, what is Mr. Donohoe's view on that? I will ask the other witness to respond to that too.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: I am conscious Dr. Smyth is nodding. It is interesting that we had representatives from the sector here last week, including from some technological universities and universities, who said we were coming close to the tipping point, while Mr. Donohoe says we have gone beyond it.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: The Minister has floated the idea that we cut the €3,000 fee. No one is opposed to cutting fees if the necessary resources are put in place but from an economic point of view, what does Dr. Smyth foresee will happen?