Results 2,761-2,780 of 2,802 for speaker:Colm Brophy

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: The Government approved new housing targets up to 2030. Some 303,000 homes are expected to be delivered from 2025 to 2030. This equates to an average of approximately 50,500 homes, building up to 60,000 homes in 2030. To meet these very ambitious targets, it is necessary to use many different ways of delivery. Modern methods of construction are a key pillar in this housing delivery...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Childcare Services (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank Deputy Gannon for raising this important issue and offering me the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Minister. Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and care and school-age childcare is a key priority for the Government. Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. An annual sector profile demonstrates an 8% increase in enrolments between the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Childcare Services (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: Early learning and childcare is an area that has seen rapid and significant developments and has had a substantial increase in investment in recent years. In particular, we have made good progress in affordability for parents, pay for staff and the inclusion of children with disabilities. However, we need to go further in the coming years. We need to support parents and educators and make...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Forestry Sector (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: On behalf of the Minister for State, Deputy Healy-Rae, I thank Senator Collins for this question on supports for ash dieback. I welcome the opportunity to update the House on the supports in place to assist affected forest owners. The Minister of State is keenly aware of the impact this devastating disease has had on forest owners who planted ash. The need for support is well recognised...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Forestry Sector (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank Senator Collins for her contribution. The Minister of State, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, is committed to supporting those forest owners who have been so adversely affected by ash dieback. He encourages all to avail of the financial help and very generous support in the programme the Department has put in place.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Weather Events (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Senator and apologise on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Heydon. I know the Senator has spoken to and engaged with him directly on this issue in the past. He sends his apologies that he cannot be here to deal with the matter in person today. I will make a few points on his behalf. Like the more recent Storm Éowyn, Storm Bert is part of a pattern of extreme weather which...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Weather Events (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: I fully hear Senator Kyne and the excellent and valid points he has made. I will, of course, take his remarks back to the Minister and I know the Senator will engage with him further on this matter. It is important to reassure the Senator that the Government will continue to prioritise policies to protect and enhance farm incomes, including those in the sheep sector. Under the programme...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Child Safety (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Senator for the opportunity to present to her on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor. Apologies for her absence today. The Healthy Ireland framework and action plan form our national road maps to support good physical, mental and sexual health well-being, including children's health priorities such as preventing obesity, increasing physical activity levels...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Child Safety (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: That is no problem at all. I am sure the breakdown is worth chasing. The Senator's points are well made. As I said in my contribution, it is something that needs to be examined because cybersupport for parents to tackle these issues is important.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Care Services (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: I join Senator Byrne in acknowledging my friend and former colleague, Damien English, who was a source of great wisdom and advice to me in all my years in public life. It is lovely to see him here today with his guests. I thank Senator Byrne for raising this important issue and affording me the opportunity to respond. We know there are many reasons people seek residential supports. For...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Care Services (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: I will, of course, take the case to the Minister. In the Senator's contribution, she highlighted the important point that a humane approach should be taken in the devising, development and implementation of services. It is so important we take account of how an individual service in a smaller community can have an impact. This is something the Senator has campaigned and worked on very...

Parental Choice in Education: Motion [Private Members] (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: Today's debate has been beneficial. I have listened carefully to contributions made by all Deputies, each important and warranting consideration. The Minister, Depute McEntee, who was in the Chamber until just now, has given particular updates and outlines of current work happening within the Department and the planned work to increase the number of multidenominational schools where parents...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Air Services (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank Deputy Currie for raising this matter which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport. From the aviation safety perspective, the regulation of the recreational and commercial use of drones, or unmanned aircraft systems as they are technically known, is provided for under European Union regulations that are directly applicable to Ireland. Two drone-specific EU regulations...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Air Services (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: Aviation is obviously a highly regulated area, but I agree with the Deputy that the rapid pace of drone innovation and its commercialisation have created a challenge. The Government is aware of the impact of that and of the growing drone sector, particularly in the context of the increasing volume of operations. The programme for Government includes a commitment to finalise and implement a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Legislative Reviews (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank Deputy Sherlock for raising this important issue and for offering me the opportunity to respond. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 was commenced in 2023, and it represents a landmark legal reform in this country. The Act replaced the 1871 Victorian-era wards of court system with a rights-based model for tiered decision support arrangements. It is a key component...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Legislative Reviews (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I reiterate that the Minister’s aim is to ensure the most effective operation of the assisted decision-making (capacity) legislation and to ensure that its principles are upheld and that its objectives of promoting and enshrining the rights of those with capacity difficulties to retain as much autonomy as possible are realised. We must always make sure that our laws are working for...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy for the question and for giving me the opportunity to reply on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth and to outline how the Department is working to ensure that there is appropriate school accommodation in place to meet the school place needs of all children. I stress that enabling students to receive an education appropriate to their needs is an ongoing priority...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: Again, I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I reassure him that I will convey that concern back to the Minister to ensure that continued engagement takes place. I have no doubt that the Deputy will continue to raise it and engage on it himself too.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: At the outset, I stress that enabling students with special educational needs to receive an appropriate education is an absolute priority for this Government. It is the Government's priority to ensure all children have an appropriate school placement and that the necessary supports are provided to our schools to allow children with special educational needs to flourish and prosper. There...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I restate that in excess of 28,000 children are now being supported in special schools and classes. The number of special classes has increased by 100% since 2020. It is the statutory responsibility of the NCSE to work with schools to provide sufficient special education provision each year. As I outlined, budget 2025 provides funding for 400 new special classes - up to 300 additional...