Results 3,821-3,840 of 4,073 for speaker:Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Other Questions: Third Level Institutions (22 May 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Yes, my officials have informed me of that. As the Deputy will appreciate, given the commercial sensitivities involved, I am not in a position to comment on price details. However, I can confirm that DIT is acting on professional property advice.

Other Questions: Third Level Institutions (22 May 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Again, there are commercial sensitivities involved. This is being dealt with by DIT, which is acting on professional property advice. However, I repeat that, in addition to the disposal of any DIT properties, this will require the approval of the Minister for Education and Skills.

Topical Issue Debate: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (23 May 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Deputy Brassil for raising this important issue. I acknowledge he raised it earlier today with my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, on the Order of Business. As the Deputy knows, under the terms of the student grant scheme, assistance is awarded to students who meet the conditions on funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic...

Topical Issue Debate: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (23 May 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: We are aware of the issues and difficulties faced by the family. There has been contact. The Minister told the Deputy this morning that the SUSI grant scheme is currently being reviewed. As of now, the highest income limit for a family of the size in question is €59,595. If a family's income exceeds this threshold – these are the rules I have — the applicant will not...

Residential Tenancies (Student Rents, Rights and Protection) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (29 May 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The main objective of the Bill is to allow students the full protection of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2016 in terms of rent predictability measures and other protections specific to tenancy agreements. The Bill has been introduced in response to the recent price increases in certain privately run purpose-built student accommodation complexes. One in Dublin 9 has seen an increase...

Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (30 May 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Deputy O'Reilly for raising this matter. I am taking this debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, and wish to apologise on behalf of the Minister who cannot be present due to a prior commitment. I will make sure to convey to him the matters raised in this debate. St. Michael's House special school was established in 1982 and is located...

Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (30 May 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: It is pretty positive.

Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (30 May 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I am sure the Deputy can appreciate, as most people in the country can, that dealing with legal conveyancing takes time. I confirm the Department is committed to progressing this project and will continue to liaise with Fingal County Council. The acquisition process for a permanent site is under way. The Department is aware of the limitations of the current temporary accommodation and...

Topical Issue Debate: Educational Supports (30 May 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I am taking this debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Richard Bruton. I apologise on his behalf as he cannot be present owing to a prior commitment. I will, however, make sure to convey to him the matters raised in the debate. I know Lisdoonvarna very well. Education provision on an inclusive basis is a fundamental principle of the education and...

Topical Issue Debate: Educational Supports (30 May 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The school recently applied to the independent staffing appeals board for a teaching post in English and has been granted an additional half post. Should it receive more enrolments in September, the board of management can apply again in October for further support. The school has also applied for an additional post based on its developing status. A decision on this application will be...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Access to Higher Education (30 May 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Senator Ruane for raising this important matter. The programme for Government included a commitment to prepare a report on the barriers to lone parents accessing higher education. This was carried out by the National University of Ireland Maynooth which was engaged by the Department of Education and Skills to conduct the review. The review was overseen by a steering committee...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Access to Higher Education (30 May 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank the Senator. I know that group is meeting either today or tomorrow. I will ask it to look at that proposal.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Teagasc Courses (30 May 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Senator Daly very much for raising this matter. I wish to apologise on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Creed. He is not able to be here this morning as he is taking oral questions in the other House at the moment. As we all know, the green certificate is delivered by Teagasc and has been developed to meet the training requirements for part-time and full-time farmers. It is...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Teagasc Courses (30 May 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank the Senator and I will report to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed. I emphasise that the green cert part-time programme is an adult education programme and not a school leavers' programme. The age threshold of 23 years is the accepted convention for adult education across the vocational sector in Ireland.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Maternity Services Provision (30 May 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Senator Lombard for raising this issue today. I am taking this Commencement matter and apologise on behalf of my colleague the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris. The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Daly, could not be here today. The Minister wishes to acknowledge that waiting times are often unacceptably long and he is conscious of the impact of this on...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Maternity Services Provision (30 May 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank the Senator again. I will undertake to talk to the Minister for Health about the opening of the theatre and the appointment of consultants and staff to operate it.

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (12 Jun 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: He never has a point.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Home Care Packages (13 Jun 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Senator Burke. The first part of my answer on behalf of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, will deal with the Senator's question as tabled. I will also address the second part of his question, regarding the day-based system versus the hour-based system. The main social welfare schemes for jobseekers are the jobseeker’s allowance...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Home Care Packages (13 Jun 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I will.

Topical Issue Debate: School Patronage (19 Jun 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it gives me an opportunity on behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Richard Bruton, to set out for the DáiI the position on voluntary reassignment of patronage under section 8 of the Education Act 1998. As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister has announced new plans aimed at accelerating the provision of...