Results 3,381-3,400 of 8,015 for speaker:Jonathan O'Brien

Teaching Council (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (18 Feb 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: I apologise to the Minister for missing the beginning of her contribution, but I will get a copy of her speech. We welcome the opportunity to discuss the Bill which we will support. There is a major amendment to be tabled on Committee Stage, which the Minister has outlined, on public hearings being the default position. We have not seen the wording of the amendment but we support all the...

Order of Business (19 Feb 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: I wish to ask about the outstanding reports of the Constitutional Convention. We were supposed to debate the reports within four months of their completion by the Constitutional Convention. While I understand that all Departments have signed off on the reports, a number of them are outstanding as regards discussion. Will the Government set aside time over the next period of weeks to discuss...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Higher and Further Education Grants: Discussion (25 Feb 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: Can we take the presentation as read, given that Mr. Power must leave at 2.30 p.m.? I suggest that so there is ample time for questioning.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Higher and Further Education Grants: Discussion (25 Feb 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: Estrangement is the issue with which we deal most in my office. I know that strict criteria are needed in this regard but some of the documentary evidence requested is very difficult for people to provide. Students providing evidence from the Department of Social Protection have been told it is not adequate and that additional evidence is required. Will the officials comment on this issue?...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Higher and Further Education Grants: Discussion (25 Feb 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: Is it focused on only one area or is that 19% right across all of-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Higher and Further Education Grants: Discussion (25 Feb 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: How many High Court cases have been taken on appeals?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Higher and Further Education Grants: Discussion (25 Feb 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: I had another question.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further Education and Training Programmes Expenditure (26 Feb 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: 213. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of expenditure on rented accommodation in the further education and training sector by education and training board area during each of the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8486/15]

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (26 Feb 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: We tabled our amendments before we saw the Government's amendments; therefore, we will not oppose section 3, 4 or 5. We will study the Government's amendments, but I give notice that we may table amendments to sections 2 to 5, inclusive, on Report Stage.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (26 Feb 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: I move amendment No. 5:In page 9, between lines 16 and 17, to insert the following:"8. The Minister shall report to the Houses of the Oireachtas on an annual basis on the use and extent of voluntary contributions by schools with a view to phasing them out.". This matter has nothing to do with the Bill, but that it is a miscellaneous provisions Bill has given us the opportunity to table an...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (26 Feb 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: I appreciate that this Bill is not the place to do that, but it is an opportunity for us to put the matter on the agenda again. When drafting legislation to give some structure to the situation, having it ruled out of order because it would be a cost to the Exchequer is frustrating. By their nature, voluntary contributions are essential for many schools if they are to keep operating, given...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (26 Feb 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: I am willing to withdraw the amendment, given the Minister of State's commitment that the issue will be dealt with under the education (admission to school) Bill or the parents charter.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (26 Feb 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: I move amendment No. 7:In page 9, between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following:"9. The Student Support Act 2011 is amended, in section 16(3), by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (d)--"(d) whether he or she has been or is self-supporting having regard to information provided by bodies including but not limited to GPs, student support organisations, student unions,...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (26 Feb 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: I disagree with the Minister of State. With all due respect, while the Minister may have discretion to specify the criteria to be applied, she has failed to do so to date. The criteria are very strict. I do not accept the Minister of State's view that the amendment is unnecessary. It would specify the criteria and list the groups or bodies which could provide independent verification of...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (26 Feb 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: She has been indicating that since she took office, but she has not-----

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (26 Feb 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: Will the Minister of State give me a commitment that he will bring forward an amendment on Report Stage to tighten the provision?

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (26 Feb 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: Discussions will not provide the evidence students need to prove that they are estranged from their parents or guardians. Without that commitment, I will press the amendment.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (26 Feb 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: No, on one of the amendments my name is spelt incorrectly. When will the Bill come before the House again?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Technological Universities (3 Mar 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: 111. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on development of technological universities here, including the proposed merger between Cork Institute of Technology, County Cork and Tralee Institute of Technology, County Kerry. [9095/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Technological Universities (3 Mar 2015)

Jonathan O'Brien: Will the Minister for Education and Skills provide an update on the development of technological universities with a particular focus on Cork Institute of Technology and Tralee Institute of Technology?