Results 2,501-2,520 of 4,787 for speaker:Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Citizens' Assembly (30 Jul 2020)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: There is a commitment in the programme for Government to establish citizens' assemblies, including one on drugs and on education, which I believe is restricted to primary and secondary education. I seek further detail on this commitment, including when will this be established, its terms of reference and the time scale for its sittings.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Citizens' Assembly (30 Jul 2020)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Some of the reservations people in education have about the Minister's appointment do not relate to any lack of ability, competence or understanding of the education system. Our nervousness is that when a conservative Department meets a conservative Minister, the possibility of a radical overhaul of our education system may be affected. Such an overhaul could lead to having equality at the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Citizens' Assembly (30 Jul 2020)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: That all sounds great. My problem is in predicting our engagement with the Minister. Over the next period when we raise something that could radically overhaul the education system or bring in legislation that could enhance equality provisions within education, her go-to answer could very easily be that we will deal with the matter in the Citizens' Assembly. What I need from her is a...

Residential Tenancies and Valuation Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Jul 2020)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I move amendment No. 1: In page 4, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following: “(2) (a) The Government may from time to time by order extend the emergency period, either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision, for such period as it considers appropriate if it is satisfied that, having regard to the threat to public health presented by...

Residential Tenancies and Valuation Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Jul 2020)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I will be quick. Regarding the issues outlined by Deputy Ó Broin, we in the Labour Party will support this amendment. I also want to record my gratitude and that of my party to the Minister, Deputy Harris, for recognising the literacy issues in this State. Some 17.9% of Irish adults are functionally illiterate, and these are the people who we are asking to navigate the housing schemes...

Residential Tenancies and Valuation Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Jul 2020)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I move amendment No. 4: In page 5, to delete lines 14 and 15. I wish to correct the Minister. Section 4(1)(b), as drafted, does not allow for a declaration by a tenant after the event. I want the Minister to correct his assertion. Unless something is in law and written down in black and white, the Minister's comments on the floor of the House only travel so far. Many of us are...

Residential Tenancies and Valuation Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Jul 2020)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Labour Party has an issue with the lopsided nature of the Bill. Somebody who owns property with a tenant in his or her property can play the game and get away with it by making declarations which many people know to be a half-truth, a non-truth or a blatant lie. That person will not end up with a criminal sanction under the provisions of this Bill, but the tenants who try to keep their...

Residential Tenancies and Valuation Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Jul 2020)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I will be as brief as possible in support of these amendments. The overarching thing we are trying to achieve was referenced by the previous speaker, with whom I agree. There can be a level of political game playing, either here or in Leinster House, as the Minister knows, in which the Opposition tries to depict the Government as uncaring, unfeeling and on the side of everything that is bad...

Adjournment of Dáil: Motion (30 Jul 2020)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: It is not agreed to.

Adjournment of Dáil: Motion (30 Jul 2020)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Hear, hear.

Adjournment of Dáil: Motion (30 Jul 2020)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Labour Party would like to support the proposal made by Deputy O'Reilly. I also wish to raise the issue of pandemic unemployment payments to those who are self-employed and those who are in receipt of employee wages and self-employed wages, who are now going to be put on a lower schedule of payment. We can only resolve this issue if the Dáil is sitting. We cannot have a six-week...

Opening of Schools and Calculated Grades: Statements (30 Jul 2020)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I appreciate the Minister being here. It feels as if we are in the worst nightclub ever, spending this time together. Perhaps there should be some type of mechanism for us to interact over the month of August. I appreciate that we cannot recall the Dáil but we should find an imaginative way for Opposition Deputies and the Minister or her officials to engage in the weeks before the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Site Acquisitions (30 Jul 2020)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I very much appreciate the Minister's presence here this evening. She has had a long day of engagement with Deputies and Senators on a wide range of issues over the course of this day. It is now past 2 a.m. and she is still here. I appreciate that. I made a comment about a Cabinet colleague of hers not affording us the same respect, but she is here and it is greatly appreciated. For...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Site Acquisitions (30 Jul 2020)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: That is very positive. I appreciate the Minister's response. I think the parents of children who are attending the school or intend to attend the school will be very satisfied with that response. A permanent site option for the new 16-classroom school has been identified. We are not talking about a temporary site but a permanent one and it is in the school planning area. It is quite a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (30 Jul 2020)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: 20. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details on her moves to regularise the employment rights of school secretaries in line with the demands of a union (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19320/20]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (30 Jul 2020)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: 64. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the predicament facing leaving certificate students with conditional offers to Dutch and other foreign third-level institutions that will be unable to take up their places unless they receive early access to leaving certificate results; and her plans to address such cases. [19322/20]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Jul 2020)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: 70. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to ensure school principals with teaching hours have the flexibility and support to discharge the additional burden which will placed on them due to Covid-19 protocols. [19321/20]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (30 Jul 2020)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: 73. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the financial package that will be made available to allow primary and secondary schools to open in August and September 2020; if such a package includes finance to enable school building modifications, staff recruitment and specialised classroom sanitation and hygiene; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19318/20]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Help-To-Buy Scheme (30 Jul 2020)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: 354. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of applications for the help-to-buy scheme for quarters 1 and 2 in 2020; the number of applications approved in the same period; the estimated annual number of recipients of the scheme in 2020 and 2021; the estimated median payment under the scheme; and the estimated expenditure per year. [20544/20]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homeless Persons Data (30 Jul 2020)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: 471. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of persons presenting as homeless to local authorities in March, April, May, June and July 2020; the comparable figures for March, April, May, June and July 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19958/20]