Results 401-420 of 2,717 for speaker:Marian Harkin

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (13 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: 239. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if students in non-pilot schools of the computer science course will be allowed to sit the exam for computer science in 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4777/20]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (13 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: 262. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reduce the retention figures for two teacher schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4943/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Orthodontic Services Provision (13 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: 676. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an orthodontic appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4776/20]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Management (13 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: 953. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the regulations in regard to the spraying of forestry plantations with cypermethrin at different times of the year (details supplied); the regulations in regard to set-back distances between adjacent land and the location the spraying is being carried out; the regulations in regard to a notice period to be given to adjacent...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (13 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: 1069. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeline for the release of the latest rail review report on the western rail corridor commissioned in 2019, in view of the fact the publication of the report is already delayed by more than six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5445/20]

Covid-19 (Taoiseach): Statements (14 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: I express my sympathy to the family and friends of those we have lost from Covid-19. I spoke to the Taoiseach last week about face masks. Yesterday, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport said it was likely that facial coverings would be encouraged from next week on public transport, etc. We need certainty on this for three reasons. First, we have to plan. Many face masks can be...

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: So good they named it twice. According to an extensive IBEC survey, many businesses are running out of cash and yet the take-up of some of the liquidity measures announced by the Minister's Department is low. Why is that happening? One of the reasons is that many companies do not want to add to their increasing levels of debt. I have spoken about this previously in terms of their utility...

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: I am happy to hear that the restart grant can be used specifically to cover costs that have accrued while the business was closed. My second question relates to borrowing, and I have previously spoken about the issue of rates. The Government can borrow at less than 1%, yet we are charging between 4% and 5% over the lifetime of the loan. Why are we so out of kilter with our European...

Covid-19 (Finance): Statements (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: Yes we can.

Covid-19 (Finance): Statements (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: I wish to comment briefly on the issue of those returning from maternity leave and their exclusion from the temporary wage subsidy scheme. The Minister has said he will try to find a solution and I welcome that. I have just two comments to make. First, this needs to be done very quickly as many women find themselves in that position right now. Second, the Minister indicated that he might...

Covid-19 (Finance): Statements (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: I appreciate that and I know my constituent will as well. My other question relates to another vulnerable group. I know of people whose properties have been sold to vulture funds. The Minister knows this story. Right now, public auctions are being planned to sell distressed properties. For example, one is advertised for this day week and another for early in June. Now, we are only...

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: The cancellation of the healthcare workers childcare scheme is regrettable, not least because it is hugely inconvenient for the healthcare workers themselves. I have spoken to many providers about this and I get a sense that there has been a certain erosion of trust between the providers and the Department. The issue is consultation. People told me that a 17 page document arrived, it was a...

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: Yes.

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: I asked about the pods and whether, if we are going to move to that model, it would reduce the number of children that could be cared for.

Covid-19 (Employment Affairs and Social Protection): Statements (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: I thank the Minister for her presence. I also thank her, her officials and all the relevant staff throughout the country for working unstintingly and showing great commitment to ensuring that people get their payments. Nothing is perfect, but from what I have seen, this has been first class. I have not been in the Chamber because, in asking questions of a number of Ministers, I have...

Covid-19 (Employment Affairs and Social Protection): Statements (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: I thank the Minister. I am not sure, but are the victims being seen as a priority group?

Covid-19 (Employment Affairs and Social Protection): Statements (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: It is important that they be seen as a priority group because they are largely invisible. My next question is one the Minister, Regina Doherty, has already dealt with here today,namely, self-employed people over 66 years of age whose business was shutdown who are not entitled to the PUP but who can access the temporary wage subsidy scheme. However, a sole trader or the self employed can...

Covid-19 (Education and Skills): Statements (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: I am sharing time with Deputy Pringle. If the Ceann Comhairle and the Minister might indulge me for 30 seconds, I would like to mention that today is World Bee Day. The connection to education is that many primary schools have excellent projects on the importance of bees to our ecosystem. In that context, I want to mention the late Philip McCabe. He was a neighbouring county man of the...

Covid-19 (Education and Skills): Statements (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: I accept that but there have been rumblings around the fact that it was to be the last TU to be completed and was bottom of the list again. I do not want anything to interfere with its progress. The Minister has answered me. As I have 30 seconds remaining I have a question on the calculated grades, to which the Minister can respond in writing. I am aware the Minister is setting the...

Covid-19 (Education and Skills): Statements (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: That is why I clarified.