Results 2,721-2,740 of 3,777 for speaker:Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services (13 Feb 2024)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: 573. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the regulation of CAMHS under the Mental Health Act 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6184/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (13 Feb 2024)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: 614. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address the scenario in which a college student changes course or repeats a year due to adverse personal circumstances and subsequently has to pay higher fees, and is doubly disadvantaged by not being able to avail of the €1,000 Government credit as announced by Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (14 Feb 2024)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: 8. To ask the Taoiseach to report on his engagements at the World Economic Forum. [6210/24]

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (14 Feb 2024)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: 14. To ask the Taoiseach to report on his recent engagement with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. [6211/24]

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (14 Feb 2024)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: 20. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to the western Balkans. [6212/24]

Recent Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (14 Feb 2024)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: This is a welcome opportunity to debate these issues in the context of what was a very happy day for all of us looking north, with the return of the Assembly, the restoration of the Executive and the decision of the DUP to re-enter power-sharing. It is fitting to congratulate Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly on their appointments as First Minister and deputy First Minister,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: I remind members to please ensure their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of this meeting because they interfere with the broadcasting equipment, even when on silent mode. Are the minutes of the meeting on 24 January 2024 agreed? Agreed. On behalf of the committee, I welcome: Mr. Bryan O’Mahony, deputy president of the Union of Students in Ireland; Mr. Shari Irfan,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: I thank Mr. O'Mahony. I will move next to Mr. Irfan for your opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: I thank Mr. Irfan and I welcome his parents to the Public Gallery. It must be a proud day for them to see their son addressing the Houses of the Oireachtas. Finally, I move to Ms Fitzpatrick for her opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: I thank the witnesses for their opening statements. I now move to members of the committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: I will allow the Deputy a final question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: I invite Deputy Sorca Clarke to speak.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: The first question that leaps out to me is whether we want it. Do we want North-South mobility because looking at the numbers, I was surprised by how few students are travelling in either direction? It seems that on an individual student basis, you have to really want it because it is difficult. You would have to have your heart set on it. This was back when God was a boy but I remember...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: Is this across the board? Is this with autism, ADHD and dyslexia? Is it across the board or are some areas more affected than others?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: Most colleges and universities have programmes of support for people with diagnoses of these kinds. Is there any flexibility? For example, in SETU where Mr. O'Mahony is based do people need to have the piece of paper to access the supports? Is there any flexibility in the institutions to allow people breathing space?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: It strikes me as straight-out bananas. There is a massive history of dyslexia in my family. If someone is dyslexic in Ireland they are also dyslexic in Northern Ireland. They do not suddenly learn how to spell better. It seems an insanity to put this barrier in front of people. I want to touch on something that Ms Fitzpatrick raised. I am surprised to learn that so few people study a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: Does Ms Fitzpatrick have any idea of how many people do not take a language to GCSE? It is a decision made very early on a person's education journey and it is a decision that will have consequences if they are interested in studying in the Republic. Does Ms Fitzpatrick know how many people find themselves locked out by a decision they make at the age of 13 or 14?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: It is possibly something on which the committee could request research. As Ms Fitzpatrick has said, the figures will be somewhere. My next question might be slightly unfair because I am asking Ms Fitzpatrick to speak for an entire cohort of students in the North. Changes have been made to the CAO system whereby there is a third tier for which students do not need CAO points. This is with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: I am surprised by how low the numbers are. It does away with any argument or some idea that we would be undermining the system by encouraging more people to take up offers North-South. If we are serious about it then we should be serious about it. For sure there are a lot of barriers being put in people's way that do not need to be. It does not seem sensible to me.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: I also thank the witnesses for their work and for coming before the committee and sharing their insights. It is very useful to get their point of view. We will be hearing the other side of the story after we take a short break. It is very important to hear the student voice and it has been very beneficial to the committee. I am sure it will be reflected in the final report. We will...