Results 321-340 of 5,572 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Curragh Plains Representative Forum (9 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 14. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the coordination that has taken place in the management of the Curragh Plains since the establishment of the Curragh forum and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33933/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Curragh Plains Representative Forum (9 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: My question concerns the Curragh Plains Representative Forum, for which I was full of hope. I was led to believe that it would bring all the stakeholders in Kildare and the Curragh together for the greater good of the public in Kildare while improving the lot of those who live, work and have leisure time in the Curragh. My question is based on the description that was given in the plans....

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Curragh Plains Representative Forum (9 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State. I would appreciate the opportunity to see what arose from the meeting on 27 October. I am delighted that the serious issues of illegal camping and dumping were high on the agenda. I had asked that two issues be addressed. I had asked that ambulance cover for jockeys riding out on the Curragh be included, but my request was refused. Jockeys and workers in...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Curragh Plains Representative Forum (9 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: While I accept that, the issue is about adequate notice for residents in the area. I believe there is a strong will to achieve something positive with the Curragh amenity. I have spoken to many of the stakeholders involved who have great enthusiasm for developing the plains and making them a strong natural feature. I acknowledge the help of Department of Defence officials regarding the...

Topical Issue Debate: State Pensions (Contributory) (9 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: There is an anomaly in the calculation of the entitlement to the State pension. I put it to the Minister for Social Protection that there is ongoing discrimination against those who have taken time out of their careers to care for children, elderly family members, etc. The practical reality of it is that women are impacted. Since I was elected, women have been calling to my office to tell...

Topical Issue Debate: State Pensions (Contributory) (9 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am pleased to note work is under way to replace the yearly average system and I hope the new system will be more equitable. The Minister's statement that those who pay more into the pension fund are more likely to receive pay-outs under the scheme is not necessarily correct. Under the averaging system for pensions, specifically the measure introduced by the Minister's predecessor, Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medical Services (9 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 32. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the recruitment measures that have been employed to deal with the shortage of medical officers in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33846/16]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (9 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 37. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current effective strength of the Permanent Defence Forces in terms of the actual numbers of trained personnel available for operational taskings on a daily basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33847/16]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (9 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 46. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on making Lariam the drug of last resort when prescribing anti-malarial medication for members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33849/16]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (9 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 56. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the latest data on the numbers of persons currently in direct provision for one year or less, one year to two years, two years to three years, three years to four years, four years to five years and more than five years; and the equivalent data for the same date in 2015, in tabular form. [33923/16]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (9 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 57. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of asylum seekers in direct provision awaiting a decision on their right to refugee status; the number of persons who have been granted refugee status but are still living in direction provision centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33924/16]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Migration Data (9 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 58. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Syrian nationals refused access or leave to land here in each year since the start of the war in Syria in 2011. [33925/16]

Social Welfare Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I concur with many of the sentiments expressed by my colleague, Deputy Aindrias Moynihan. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Leo Varadkar, maintains budget 2017 is the first socially just budget in years. However, he needs to redress the wrongs many retired persons or individuals who are due to retire are experiencing because of previous budget measures. Many of them have been...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the chief executive officer of the Irish Universities Association, the presidents of the universities and the head, College of Law and Business of UCC to a discussion on Investing in National Ambition: A Strategy for Funding Higher Education, commonly known as the Cassells' report. Let me put on record the committee's gratitude and thanks to Mr. Peter Cassells, the members of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Professor Barry. He certainly made an excellent case and did a good job in outlining the challenges the university sector faces, of which we are all very conscious. The other presidents will have an opportunity to respond to some of the points that were made and to questions from committee members. Increasing access to university for socially disadvantaged groups has to continue...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I hand back to Professor Barry first.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Professor Nolan certainly makes a compelling argument. I call Professor MacCraith.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Did Dr. Browne want to come in?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I call Dr. Prendergast.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We will go back to members now. I will start with those who have not yet spoken. Senator Gallagher is next.