Results 2,981-3,000 of 11,491 for speaker:Mary Butler

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Needs Education: Impact of Covid-19 (25 Jun 2020)

Mary Butler: If the witness does not mind I will move on because I am limited with time. I have one last question and one point to get across. One of Mr. Egan's conclusions speaks to the need for schools, teachers and special needs assistants, SNAs, to be supported to take part in the scheme as an important component in opening the scheme to a degree by which we can include all children with...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Needs Education: Impact of Covid-19 (25 Jun 2020)

Mary Butler: Does Ms Dempsey have a figure for how many SNAs would be required?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Needs Education: Impact of Covid-19 (25 Jun 2020)

Mary Butler: I thank Ms Dempsey.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Educational Needs: Impact of Covid-19 (Resumed) (25 Jun 2020)

Mary Butler: I thank the witnesses for attending today and for their submissions. I want to try to understand the July provision for those with Down's syndrome and I have read the submission from Down Syndrome Ireland carefully. The parents of Down's syndrome children are upset and I feel they have to right to be upset. We all know the pandemic has been extremely difficult for children and families...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Educational Needs: Impact of Covid-19 (Resumed) (25 Jun 2020)

Mary Butler: I welcome the fact the Department will be meeting Down Syndrome Ireland tomorrow because my main concern is around the pupils. It is not only for those with Down's syndrome but it is for those in post-primary school mainstream classes who presented with the following disabilities: Down's syndrome; deaf or most severe hard of hearing; blind or most severe visual impairment; moderate general...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Educational Needs: Impact of Covid-19 (Resumed) (25 Jun 2020)

Mary Butler: That is very welcome. The children currently in sixth class, who were due to leave sixth class at the end of June this year, and who will go into secondary school, are included.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Educational Needs: Impact of Covid-19 (Resumed) (25 Jun 2020)

Mary Butler: I thank Mr. Ward for the clarity on that. It is most welcome. I wish to ask about July provision. I think the expectation is that 70% of the provision will take place in the child's home. Is that because not enough schools have come on board or the Department does not have enough staff, or is it the norm?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Educational Needs: Impact of Covid-19 (Resumed) (25 Jun 2020)

Mary Butler: We had Inclusion Ireland before the committee earlier. It cited transport as a major issue. Does the Department share its concern in this respect and, if so, what needs to be done to address it? We know that public health information is evolving day by day and week by week, and I know there will be very many challenges with children when they return to school in September and October in...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Educational Needs: Impact of Covid-19 (Resumed) (25 Jun 2020)

Mary Butler: My final question returns to the earlier point I made about parents of Down's syndrome children who were under the impression that, regardless of what stage their child was at in school, they would be able to avail of July provision. How many additional places would be needed to accommodate students with Down's syndrome who are currently excluded? Have the witnesses any idea? Is it possible...

Ceapachán an Taoisigh agus Ainmniú Chomhaltaí an Rialtais: Tairiscint - Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (27 Jun 2020)

Mary Butler: The next speaker will be Deputy Bríd Smith who, I believe will share time with Deputies Paul Murphy and Barry.

Ceapachán an Taoisigh agus Ainmniú Chomhaltaí an Rialtais: Tairiscint - Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (27 Jun 2020)

Mary Butler: We will now move to the Regional Independent Group.

Vote 38 - Health (Revised) (30 Jun 2020)

Mary Butler: I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, on his elevation to the Cabinet last Saturday. I have worked closely with him for the past two and a half years on the health portfolio and I look forward to working with him again. I wish to briefly raise one issue with the Minister that I know he is very familiar with. In Waterford and the south east, cardiac care is...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (30 Jun 2020)

Mary Butler: We all got that text last night to say there will be a vote at 12 noon. I rang the Chief Whip just before I came in here and he said the 12 noon vote is not an issue but there might be votes later on this evening.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: SME Recovery (30 Jun 2020)

Mary Butler: I thank our guests for taking the time to come before the committee. I thank Mr. Moran for his statement. He stated that only €100 million of the €6.5 billion stimulus package has been drawn down and suggested that the funding should be reallocated. To where should the funds be reallocated to support SMEs most effectively? How can we improve what is on offer? What blind...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: SME Recovery (30 Jun 2020)

Mary Butler: I ask Mr. Moran to address the issue of the most effective reallocation of funds.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: SME Recovery (30 Jun 2020)

Mary Butler: I was a small business owner. Yesterday, I met the owner of a small business that specialises in occasional wear for children. Obviously, the business is seasonal and cash flow is essential. Stock has been sitting in the business premises for three months. Suppliers must be paid. I ask Ms McCabe to address the situation faced by that small business owner.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: SME Recovery (30 Jun 2020)

Mary Butler: On RTÉ's "Morning Ireland", Mr. Moran stated that support measures such as the extension of the wage subsidy scheme beyond August must be announced in a timely manner, ideally as part of the July stimulus package, to allow businesses to plan forward. How important is timing in respect of stimulus generally? How important is timing in terms of competing with SMEs in other European...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: SME Recovery (30 Jun 2020)

Mary Butler: I will follow on from that and ask about what happens in the event of a re-emergence of this virus. Concerns have been expressed in this regard by Dr. Tony Holohan and the World Health Organization as world travel begins to reopen. We are seeing all over Europe at the moment that the virus is re-emerging. How potentially devastating could a further period of lockdown be for small businesses?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: SME Recovery (30 Jun 2020)

Mary Butler: In his statement, Mr. Moran called for an immediate liquidity injection of €6 billion followed by a further €9 billion boost. Would a deferred loan scheme with 0% or low interest rates designed to help SMEs in the coming months be an effective way of getting liquidity flowing in the sector?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: SME Recovery (30 Jun 2020)

Mary Butler: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Uasal Moran agus leis an gCathaoirleach.