Results 4,561-4,580 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I understand that, but I would like the Leader to indicate when the report will be dealt with in the Seanad which is not sitting next week. It vindicates the whistleblowers involved in the context of the considerable service they have done the State. I have been particularly struck by the public's reaction to the report and its core sense of justice in respect of the issue to which it...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I put my question.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I take the opportunity to express my concern about a report in today's edition of the Irish Independenton easy mortgages for first-time buyers being shored up by the Government. I ask the Leader to ensure a debate takes place on the matter. We do not want further reckless lending. On the previous occasion the banks went bust, it cost us €64 billion.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I welcome the Minister and the panel. I am excited about the content, particular approach and capacity for creativity and critical thinking in the proposed new junior certificate and the reform. I do not agree with the Minister that we have plenty of time left.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I do not have a phone. I do not believe we have plenty of time left. We are in a political stalemate. The unions have turned their backs on the Minister. We are in an information vacuum which is making the situation worse. I do not often say this but my PhD was in the area of instruction, curriculum and assessment. All of the models I examined believed in the integrity of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I will conclude. What is the Minister's plan for these children if the junior certificate award does not have a State component of objective assessment, one that would give them credibility if they have to move?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: There is always an external assessor.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Was it proposed to them? Has the Minister said to them: "Teachers and unions, I will work with you to ensure you have a component of external assessment"?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Minister has not addressed two points. Around the table, we acknowledge that resources are an issue. Will the Minister appoint the co-ordinators of assessments for different schools? When will the announcement be made? How good is the JCSA to the 10% of students who drop out before leaving certificate? They are the most disadvantaged of the lot. The Minister has a duty to ensure...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Why does the Minister not make an announcement? That would show he is moving ahead. I am serious.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I have a follow up question on that point.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is linked to that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is really important because I agree with the Minister that some of those kids, who are not academic even at junior certificate level, need that parallel system into which they can move - that apprenticeship form. However, when one goes to the PLCs offering that, they cannot take students after junior certificate, so that needs to change.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: We need to use this meeting very productively. There is broad agreement around the table that education is losing out here, as well as our kids.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I think there is in the sense that we want the issue to move on and the stalemate to break. I would like to propose a re-engagement with the teacher unions. We should call on the unions to re-engage on the basis of the new information that has been put on the record-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I appreciate that but I am just saying-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I was expelled or thrown out of the committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Anyone can attend a meeting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I was a member of the committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I accept that completely and have no difficulty with that. However, we must be very careful when talking about who cannot participate at committee meetings. There are many committees which do not have enough participants. Let us have a little bit of realism around this.