Results 361-380 of 1,308 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Immigration Status (27 Feb 2019)

Maria Byrne: I was not aware of the prior scheme. Obviously the person about whom I am speaking was probably not aware of it at the time and missed the application date. There are other options and I will certainly explore those. Is there any way for this case to be reviewed or considered? This person has contributed financially by paying tax and in the community. This is a very fine and upstanding...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Feb 2019)

Maria Byrne: I rise to highlight the fact today is anti-bullying awareness day, which is a campaign run by the HSE. If people are feeling unsafe in the workplace, in school or in any walk of life, a helpline is available. It is important that people are aware help is out there and somebody is at the other end of the line to help them. Related to that, it was reported in my local newspaper during the...

Seanad: National Training Fund: Statements (28 Feb 2019)

Maria Byrne: The Minister of State is very welcome. I know of his passion for apprenticeships and training. It is very evident in the work he does. It is something the Government wants to ensure is working right. I have a few questions about one or two of the things the Minister of State referenced in his speech. He talked about quarterly reviews. If something is found to not be working, will he be...

Seanad: National Training Fund: Statements (28 Feb 2019)

Maria Byrne: Next Tuesday at 2.30 p.m.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Educational Supports (5 Mar 2019)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister to the Chamber. On a recent trip to Limerick, I mentioned my interest in using artificial intelligence, social media and a digital strategy in educational supports. In the school we visited, the Minister saw that the pupils used iPads as an aid in education. Many schools have done so well over years with textbooks but more is required in these days of digital...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Educational Supports (5 Mar 2019)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for his reply and welcome the fact that a review is under way. It is up to people to make their submissions to the review. I should have mentioned that a digital safety officer will be appointed, as the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment announced yesterday. The initiative is most welcome across the board because the two initiatives go hand in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Delivery of Services for Students with Down’s Syndrome: Discussion (12 Mar 2019)

Maria Byrne: I thank the five contributors. We are all concerned about July provision. This is where we are coming from regarding the Department's appearance. The son of a friend of mine has Down's syndrome. He is an intelligent child with an awful lot to contribute but his parents find it frustrating that he does not quality for July provision yet a child down with road with autism does. While my...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2019)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister and thank him for this outline on education. Having listened to him, I know he is passionate about it. Living on the Border, he has given him a great insight into the issues that are faced. I commend on the fact there will not be a change in the current co-operation in terms of students crossing the Border and travelling to the UK to college. Many of our students...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Pharmaceutical Sector (26 Mar 2019)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State. I have raised this issue previously in the Seanad and with the Department. It relates to pharmaceutical assistants. The pharmaceutical association made a recommendation to the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, recently that pharmaceutical assistants, most of whom have operated and worked in pharmacies for the past 35 years, should only be allowed to cover...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Pharmaceutical Sector (26 Mar 2019)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State. I also raised this issue with the Minister, Deputy Harris. When pharmaceutical assistants were surveyed, it was discovered that they will be working for only eight to ten more years because it is 35 years since one could become qualified. The course has not been run since the 1980s. Therefore, the last pharmaceutical assistant will have retired in ten years....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Traveller Education: Discussion (26 Mar 2019)

Maria Byrne: I thank the witnesses for their presentations. Much of what I was going to ask has been asked. Ms White of ETBI spoke about the payment of an allowance for some classes. Is this similar to the Youthreach programme? Would students in mainstream education get an allowance? I read the submission from the Presentation Secondary School in Limerick, which I know well from having visited on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Traveller Education: Discussion (26 Mar 2019)

Maria Byrne: I do not think we can tar everyone with one brush.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Traveller Education: Discussion (26 Mar 2019)

Maria Byrne: I missed Mr. McDonagh's presentation and I apologise as I had to take a call. The few minutes I heard demonstrate that he is certainly an inspiration, so I compliment him and his parents. He clearly has great family support so I wish him all the best for the future. He is a role model in his own right to the Travelling community.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Apr 2019)

Maria Byrne: I rise to mark World Autism Day. It is also Autism Awareness Week. I attended a coffee morning this morning with Dóchas in Limerick. I met many children and their families. There was a talk going on and it was a really interesting morning. It was great to get an insight and to hear first-hand from families and from a campaigner who has been 14 years fighting for children with autism...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Garda Stations (4 Apr 2019)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and welcome the Minister of State. I am raising an issue I have raised in the past. At the time the initial Garda response to the call for a new Garda station in Castletroy to serve the greater east Limerick area was that a new station was not warranted. I have had discussions with senior gardaí in Limerick. I have also been in touch with and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Garda Stations (4 Apr 2019)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for her detailed response. I welcome all the new gardaí who have been recruited in Limerick and, on the other side, I congratulate the 26 members who were promoted. It is wonderful that they went for promotions and were successful. Some posts have to be back-filled, therefore, it is not quite the case that this station receives the number required because...

Seanad: Transport Matters: Statements (4 Apr 2019)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister. He and I have had many debates in the House on transport, most recently relating to the inefficiency of buses in Limerick. Following my debate with the Minister, I have had meetings with Bus Éireann and the local authority to get updates on how services might be improved. To date, while there have been some very small improvements, realistically many of the...

Seanad: Transport Matters: Statements (4 Apr 2019)

Maria Byrne: At the request of Senator Higgins, the Leader of the House has agreed to extend the debate by about five minutes so that all Members can contribute.

Seanad: Transport Matters: Statements (4 Apr 2019)

Maria Byrne: Yes.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Accommodation Provision (9 Apr 2019)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State to the House to discuss the 120 replacement beds that are needed at St. John's Hospital, Limerick. In 2017 the Minister, Deputy Harris, visited St. John's and acknowledged that he could see the need for the 120 beds to be replaced. My question is whether St. John's Hospital will be included in the capital plan. University Hospital Limerick is in the news all...