Results 3,141-3,160 of 6,188 for speaker:Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Act 2018 (Section 36) (Appointed Day) Order 2020: Motion (12 Nov 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: As a Deputy from Cork, I will obviously welcome the fact that the MTU has progressed. It might take us a while to get used to it, but perhaps a good run in the Fitzgibbon and Sigerson cups will do that. I hope that this process will be extended. My colleague, Deputy Conway-Walsh, is anxious for a technological university in the north west. As welcome as this development is, there are...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Further Revised) (12 Nov 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I thank the Minister and Minister of State. I acknowledge that there were good points in the budget, particularly on special education. However, as I have only four minutes, I will focus on some of the areas about which I have concerns, two in particular. The first area concerns capitation. I am aware that there was an increase but it primarily related to the allocation at the start of...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Further Revised) (12 Nov 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I welcome that and I hope it extends to the pupil-teacher ratio.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Revised) (12 Nov 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I thank the Ministers. As we are tight for time, I would like to raise two issues. It is desirable and the objective is that where possible, students should be in publicly funded accommodation on campus or adjacent to campus. The problem is that much of the accommodation provided by third level institutions is through arm's length companies, which have taken an enormous financial hit in...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Revised) (12 Nov 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I appreciate and welcome that. I am talking about public authorities and State bodies generally.

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic (19 Nov 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 137. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the level of Covid-19 restrictions Ireland must enter into to allow Irish dance classes to continue; and the current guidance for Irish dancing teaching organisations. [37722/20]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Engagement with Trade Unions on Keeping Schools Open: Discussion (19 Nov 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: First, I wish to acknowledge once again the enormous work undertaken by all school staff to ensure that schools reopened and that education resumed in the best possible manner, which is in the classroom. However, it is important to note that a great deal more must be done to ensure schools can be safe for school staff and students. For that reason, I and a number of colleagues asked that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Engagement with Trade Unions on Keeping Schools Open: Discussion (19 Nov 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: My question is specific enough and applies to all unions, so picking a union out of a hat, I will direct it to Mr. Boyle of the INTO. It relates to when there is more than one case of Covid in a family. I understood the guidance was that children should return to school after completing self-isolation. However, if there were two cases crossing over in a household children should return...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (24 Nov 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I thank the Minister for being here to take this Topical Issue matter. She will be aware of the burden falling on principals at the moment and of the additional pressures Covid has put on them right across the board, in primary schools, post-primary schools, special schools and so on. Consider those principals who are managing everything connected to Covid, managing the ordinary running of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (24 Nov 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I appreciate what the Minister said but I hoped there might be something more positive. Perhaps in her response she might give an indication of that. I raise this issue in a spirit of trying to see if we can find a solution to it. It is not a huge cohort of schools but where an issue arises in a unit or in terms of the significant number of staff who are dependent on the principal, it is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (24 Nov 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 494. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the next instalment of the PPE and cleaning grant will issue; if this is the second instalment of two or the second instalment of three; and the amount this instalment of the grant entails. [38153/20]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (24 Nov 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 498. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports in place for private bus operators who are providing school transport now that the 50% capacity rules are in place; and her plans to ensure that the additional cost for doubling the fleet is not borne on the operators themselves and then passed onto parents. [38247/20]

Mental Health Parity of Esteem Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Nov 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: May I ask how much time I have so that I can adjust my comments accordingly?

Mental Health Parity of Esteem Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Nov 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I will try not to speak for too long. The Minister of State has provided the World Health Organization's definition of health, which is not simply the absence of disease or a condition. Whatever about the World Health Organization's definition, the reality in our communities and in our health service is that there is not parity of esteem at this point in time. We have to recognise that a...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Dec 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: The Taoiseach will have received correspondence in recent days from survivors of the mother and baby homes and their relatives in Bessborough, County Cork, many of whom are very concerned, particularly in light of the fact that the report has not been published, about the fact that there are plans to proceed with, or applications for planning on, a site that has not been fully investigated....

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Equipment (1 Dec 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 25. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if specific, revised guidance will be provided on ventilation in the winter months; and if she will be providing additional funding to schools for the purchase of air monitoring systems and to make up for additional heating costs. [39970/20]

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Equipment (1 Dec 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: It has become very clear from the science in recent months that ventilation is one of the key factors in tackling Covid-19. At this time of year, with the Irish winter, the cold is becoming very significant. That is not as much of an issue for some modern schools and school buildings as it is for schools with older buildings. Principals are having to make difficult choices with limited or...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Equipment (1 Dec 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: That is an interesting reply and there is much in it to consider. I would make one point, of which I am sure the Minister is very aware as principals certainly raise it with me. I am aware of the updated guidance but it is still the case that windows must be open, although the guidance states the times and extent to which that should be done. Older buildings, examples of which the Minister...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Equipment (1 Dec 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: The Minister said that an air monitor does not increase the temperature of a room but only shows when the windows need to be open. By extension, it also shows when the windows do not need to be open, which would be very useful to many schools that are trying to manage the situation and ensure the welfare of the children in their care, by protecting them from Covid and other types of illness....

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs (1 Dec 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 27. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether special educational units in mainstream schools are not suitable for all children with additional needs; and her plans to increase special educational places and to open new special schools. [39971/20]