Results 2,941-2,960 of 6,188 for speaker:Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Accommodation (30 Jul 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: As a brief aside, I was just outside with the parents, staff and board of management of Firhouse Educate Together. An illustration of the situation we have found ourselves in over many years is the fact that there has been demographic growth but the Department has been too slow in planning for a new school building. Consequently, that school is being forced to move all the way to Citywest,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Accommodation (30 Jul 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I welcome the increase in the minor works grant but that will not do it for every school. Not every school can convert a room or make extra space within a classroom. The grant will deal with issues such as hot water also, and that is welcome, but it will not satisfy every need. I believe the Minister knows that. For schools in that position, the undertaking they will have to make in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (30 Jul 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 4. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the school transport scheme will need to be expanded in view of Covid-19 and social distancing; and the steps that will be taken to ensure that no child that participated in the school transport scheme in 2019-2020 will be denied a seat in 2020-2021. [19312/20]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (30 Jul 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Among several welcome elements in the roadmap, which includes things that we had called for over time, some have raised huge questions and require significant clarification. One of the biggest is school transport. Some 120,000 children are carried every year by school transport programmes. Among any of the operators I have spoken to there is very little clarity and they have had very...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (30 Jul 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I heard Dermot O'Leary of the National Bus and Rail Union, NBRU, on the radio some days ago, shortly before the plan was published. He was speaking about whether he thought any additional capacity could be found and he expressed some scepticism. He is a stakeholder and I would hope that any engagement would have included unions such as the NBRU. He, like most of us, would have anticipated...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (30 Jul 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I have not disputed that but I asked about capacity. The Minister mentioned everyone who applies, but what if for any reason the capacity must be reduced. The providers, Bus Éireann, taxis and various companies, will have their own considerations. I asked the Minister this question which is what parents want to know. Of course they want to know about safety, where they will be...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (30 Jul 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Yes or no?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Further Education and Training Programmes (30 Jul 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I hope the Minister of State will not take this in an adversarial way but this is an issue that needs to be resolved. A small number of institutions offer post-primary and further or higher education. 12 o’clock They seem to be located in the south east in particular. There is some confusion as to the fact there are guidelines relating to higher and further education, there is...

Future of School Education: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (30 Jul 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Record it. It is as simple as that, a Cheann Comhairle.

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

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: We had a good debate on Tuesday evening during which we addressed some of the issues that related to the return to school and I will not go into some of them on this occasion. It was a good debate on an important issue related to the funding of education, the pupil-teacher ratio and overcrowded classrooms. I appreciate that Deputies felt the need to protest tonight over speaking time...

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

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Through no fault of the Minister's I probably did not leave enough time for her to reply. She is eating into my colleague's time so perhaps she could respond to me in writing. I will let my colleague put his questions.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (30 Jul 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 17. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to significantly reduce class sizes in primary schools in view of the fact that Ireland has the highest-class sizes in Europe and the need for social distancing due to Covid-19. [19307/20]

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

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 58. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the provision being made for students, teachers or school staff that are immunocompromised and will be concerned regarding the return to schools and that it may not be in accordance with health advice to attend. [19303/20]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (30 Jul 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 67. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken to tackle the lack of special school places and places in ASD units nationally; and the way in which she plans to address same for September 2020 when children return to school. [19304/20]

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

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 68. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans for leaving certificate students wishing to study at UK institutions through UCAS and other institutions outside of Ireland that require their calculated grades in August 2020 to secure their course; and her views on whether alternative plans should be put in place for these students to make sure they do not miss out on their...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: State Response to Recent Spike in Covid-19 Cases (Resumed) (26 Aug 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I thank Professor Nolan and Dr. Glynn for their efforts to date in fighting this pandemic, which have been extraordinary. I know the people of this country are grateful as well. I have six minutes and that is to include answers so, as much as I appreciate public health and epidemiology are complex and do not lend themselves to brief answers, I would appreciate it if the witnesses could be...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: State Response to Recent Spike in Covid-19 Cases (Resumed) (26 Aug 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I have been contacted by many school staff and parents regarding the difference between those at high risk and those at very high risk. Many school staff in particular have been concerned. They have been certified by Medmark as fit to return to work as they are only high risk. They are upset and worried by this and they feel compromised. They are also unhappy at the relative lack of...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: State Response to Recent Spike in Covid-19 Cases (Resumed) (26 Aug 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: That is a useful insight because, from speaking with school staff, children and their families, this issue requires a more tailored approach. Dr. Glynn may have seen the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Foley, last night on "Prime Time". She outlined what would happen in an instance of a symptomatic child or staff member in a school. Many of the answers pivoted on the GP being...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: State Response to Recent Spike in Covid-19 Cases (Resumed) (26 Aug 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I thank Dr. Glynn.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (2 Sep 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Go raibh maith agat to all of our guests for being here today. I thank them for their work and that of the members of their unions in the past couple of weeks because I know the effort has been phenomenal and major sacrifices have been made for the benefit of the children of this country. I think I speak for many people when I say that we are grateful. Perhaps it is time for those media...