Results 21-40 of 468 for speaker:Liam Fitzgerald

Seanad: Primary Education: Motion. (11 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: The union has a legitimate right – a duty – to publish lists. I am sure the Minister and the Government would love to divert massive resources to deal with the schools on the list, but it is a matter of making choices. I want to outline a few principles to the House, and the Opposition in particular, about making choices and prioritising. We must face a few unpalatable facts. It has been...

Seanad: Primary Education: Motion. (11 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: We are talking about a Government with a proud record of achievement since 1997.

Seanad: Primary Education: Motion. (11 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: Capital funding has increased fourfold from €124 million in 1997 to €508 million in 2003.

Seanad: Primary Education: Motion. (11 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: Capital funding for primary and post-primary schools has risen from €93 million to €338 million over the same period, an increase of more than 350%.

Seanad: Primary Education: Motion. (11 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: At the same time, capitation funding has risen from €57 to €101 per pupil in primary schools. This has been one of the ongoing bones of contention for teachers. I know because I had 12 years of it when I taught in an inner city school. The funding has been almost doubled. No one can dispute that this is a spectacular expansion in the education capital programme and the primary capital...

Seanad: Primary Education: Motion. (11 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: —as well as to eliminate substandard accommodation. That determination is unflinching and I can give that commitment to the House. Notwithstanding that, it is acknowledged that there will be a slowdown in the rate of expansion of the building and refurbishment programmes over the coming year. We do not deny it. At the same time, the need for the refurbishment of existing accommodation is...

Seanad: Primary Education: Motion. (11 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: I do not defend any party for encouraging this culture, but it existed and was pervasive until recently. It will change.

Seanad: Primary Education: Motion. (11 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: It has begun and we are delivering already. The slowdown in the expansion of the schools building and refurbishment programme is due to economic factors. Reality must prevail and we must cut our cloth to suit our measure. Given our overall economic position, the Minister and the Department have done very well to bring forward a programme that is expansionist but at a slower rate. A number of...

Seanad: Primary Education: Motion. (11 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: This list is nothing new and it has been in place for many years. We accept that there is an increase in the number of schools on the list, but there is an historical reason for this which must be taken into account. It is easy to suggest that the capital programme for primary buildings should be raised to €250 million per annum for the next five years.

Seanad: Primary Education: Motion. (11 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: However, such an aspiration belongs to the world of Cinderella. I thank God that, as a result of action on the part of this Government, the primary education sector moved away from Cinderella's world many years ago.

Seanad: Primary Education: Motion. (11 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: —that have been brought forward in the past five years. Education is safe in the hands of the Minister.

Seanad: Primary Education: Motion. (11 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: It happens to some.

Seanad: Primary Education: Motion. (11 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: Grant aid is available for that.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: Does the Leader agree that the Minister for Education and Science's intention is to conduct an audit and wide-ranging review of all special needs in the education system? Does she also agree that if Senators had listened to the INTO representative this morning, they would have established that ongoing consultations have taken place with the union representing teachers in the special needs...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: Does the Leader also agree that our pupil-teacher ratio would stand up to any European comparison?

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: Senator Hayes was very envious at the time. (Interruptions.)

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Feb 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: There was widespread surprise at the announcement on "Morning Ireland" by the general secretary of IMPACT that there is a dispute between education welfare officers in Dublin and the Education Welfare Board. To the best of my knowledge, this morning's announcement is the first indication of the dispute. Those who have been directed and given guidance and who are, therefore, empowered and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Feb 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Will the Leader ask the Minister for Education and Science to come before the House to debate the radical reorganisation he has already set in train in his Department, particularly in the light of the Cromien report published a number of years ago in which some key recommendations were put forward? A number of community-based structures were set up by the Government in recent years, but the...

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I also welcome the Minister of State and endorse the sentiments and commendations extended to him. Equally, I commend Senator Maurice Hayes for chairing the forum, which has been widely praised. Some of the questions I had wished to put to the Minister of State have already been asked. I am heartened by his reply in respect of tax harmonisation. I am delighted that he has again affirmed that,...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I am not as well read as the Senator.