Results 4,441-4,460 of 6,188 for speaker:Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Wind Energy Generation (2 Jun 2022)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I thank the Minister. I ask him again if there is a plan for the resourcing of those key bodies. How clear a signal can the Minister give to those who are planning offshore floating wind projects about the timeline for and scale of the auction? Those details are not in place as yet. Those involved need a clear signal.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Wind Energy Generation (2 Jun 2022)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Can the Minister indicate approximately when this will happen?

Planning and Development Regulations (Amendment) (Solar Energy for Schools and Community Buildings) Bill 2022: First Stage (2 Jun 2022)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to make provision for the installation of solar panels on school and community buildings without the need for planning permission, and for this purpose to amend S.I. No. 600 of 2001. Putting solar panels on the schools is a no-brainer. There are 4,000 schools in the State. The overwhelming majority do not have solar...

Planning and Development Regulations (Amendment) (Solar Energy for Schools and Community Buildings) Bill 2022: First Stage (2 Jun 2022)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (2 Jun 2022)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 20. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to tackle the shortage of affordable childcare places in Cork city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28118/22]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (2 Jun 2022)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 49. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to reduce the costs of childcare for ordinary families.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28119/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Review of Out-of-School Provision Report and Education and Supports Provision for Ukrainian Students: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I thank the Ministers and officials for attending. My first question is more of a procedural one. There are a number of capable people listed as being on the review group but it is not entirely clear which of them wrote the report. Will the Minister clarify who was responsible for drafting the report and if it was agreed at a meeting of the review group? Did anyone make amendments?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Review of Out-of-School Provision Report and Education and Supports Provision for Ukrainian Students: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Can the Minister not identify the person who came up with the first draft?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Review of Out-of-School Provision Report and Education and Supports Provision for Ukrainian Students: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Okay. There are two major points I want to raise. I raise again the situation in the Cork Life Centre. I know this was an overall review but this saga has been going on for some time. There has been back and forth but it seems to be difficult to finally get to an arrangement that allows Cork Life Centre to continue in a sustainable way and to retain the staff who are committed to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Review of Out-of-School Provision Report and Education and Supports Provision for Ukrainian Students: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: The response to queries raised regarding the life centre for at least a year has been that this review was forthcoming. I do not know that that was entirely fair to the centre or to people like us who asked questions in good faith about it. The Department knew the report only dealt with children up to 15, while the Cork Life Centre deals with children up to 18. This review, no matter how...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: This is a very significant challenge. I acknowledge the excellent work being done by schools, by REALT and by school communities. I also acknowledge the Department has been under very severe pressure on this. I am sure not everything is perfect but significant work is going on. I acknowledge the work of the Department in ensuring these children who are coming from a very grim situation...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Is the Department looking at exam centres for people to do Ukrainian exams?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: We could suspend the meeting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I think that should be okay.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I will not keep the Minister long. As with the previous Department, I commend the work being done by his Department and people on the ground in further and higher education institutions to support people in the area of English language. It is obviously very important. While it is not the same with respect to scale, Ukrainians are not the only refugees. I think of the people fleeing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: The Minister is right. If the Afghans were programme refugees, as the Syrian refugees were, perhaps they would qualify. I understand that to be the case and they would enjoy particular entitlements.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I do not understand the exact modalities of how the protection directive applies to Ukraine but the oppression and suffering Afghans have suffered is no less and in some instances may be greater. It is invidious to try to compare conflicts in any event-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: -----but, either way, I ask the Department to look at that. The numbers involved are not enormous. I am aware that when people come here and seek asylum there has to be a determination made of their status and everything connected to that. I also know there are scholarship schemes at certain universities run for people in direct provision. Having said that, I do not believe we can...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I gave that example because I had an experience that caused me to reflect on the situation. I visited a number of schools in Waterford and at one school I happened to ask the principal if the school had any Ukrainian students. He said he had been late to meet me because I was finding a place for two Afghan children. It is just that we should not forget those children either.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I emphasise the point made previously that Ukrainian students coming here will in many instances have suffered severe trauma. The Minister alluded to mental health supports. I emphasise that point on which I do not need a response. The issue of apprenticeships has been addressed, as far as I can gather. When tradespeople who arrive here need their papers, does that fall under the remit...