Results 4,781-4,800 of 5,631 for speaker:Mairéad Farrell

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (24 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: We will write to it and extend the invitation. As we know, this was flagged with it at the beginning of October. If it says it cannot do 7 November, which is after ten days, we can state we are more than happy to meet it next week. It is in the public domain that the Dáil will not continue for much longer after 7 November. In the short period of time we have available to us, this...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (24 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: For clarity, has the Comptroller and Auditor General dealt with the 2022 accounts previously?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (24 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: It will depend, then.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (24 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: At election time so many different things are up in the air. It is an issue of great concern for us with regard to the spending of public money. It is also an issue of great public concern. It is very important that the committee can hold people to account and hear what exactly is going on and get to the bottom of it. We will issue the invitation and say there is no problem and that we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Update on the Draft Curriculum Specifications at Primary Level: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: My first question relates to the level of Irish language that students have when they come out of what we might call English-language schools. There needs to be a strong focus on the Irish language in the curriculum, but I understand there is going to be a reduction in the time spent on the Irish language of 30 minutes per week. Is that correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Update on the Draft Curriculum Specifications at Primary Level: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: For the average school, will it mean 30 minutes less?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Update on the Draft Curriculum Specifications at Primary Level: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: What is the thinking behind that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Update on the Draft Curriculum Specifications at Primary Level: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: I apologise but I am conscious of my limited time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Update on the Draft Curriculum Specifications at Primary Level: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: The council is introducing another language from third class onwards. I understand what Dr. Sullivan is saying about people being rushed. If an additional subject is being introduced, however, will that not add to people being rushed?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Update on the Draft Curriculum Specifications at Primary Level: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: But there is less for Irish, no?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Update on the Draft Curriculum Specifications at Primary Level: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: On that, I have a feeling that, really and truthfully, we are seeing a huge increase in the number of exemptions for the Irish language. We know people come out of 13 years of education feeling they do not have the confidence to speak in Irish outside of the school setting, and perhaps not even within that setting. At the same time, we are seeing a decrease in the amount of time we have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Update on the Draft Curriculum Specifications at Primary Level: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: Realistically, does that not depend on the teacher, if it is not specifically within the clár ama?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Update on the Draft Curriculum Specifications at Primary Level: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: To be honest, Dr. Sullivan has not convinced me on that point. Regarding a third language, and I think it is good for kids to learn as many languages as possible - that is the time to learn them - what standard will the teachers of that other language have? Will they have had to have done Erasmus studies in that language? Will they have studied it to a large extent at third level or how...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Update on the Draft Curriculum Specifications at Primary Level: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: Great. That will be good for teachers and students alike. I thank the witnesses.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Nov 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: Hear, hear.

Carer's Allowance: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (6 Nov 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: I am sure the Aire Stáit and his Government colleagues agree that the work carers do is extremely important and that carers deserve to be recognised for that work and supported in return. It is work done with love to allow our family members, friends, neighbours and members of our community who need care to continue to live at home and remain in their communities. It is work done by...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (6 Nov 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: I have raised with the Taoiseach so many times the issue of vulture fund-owned student accommodation. We now know that vulture funds own almost as much student accommodation as the universities themselves. We now have a situation where in Cork and Dublin, there is more vulture fund-owned student accommodation than beds owned by the universities themselves, and Galway is actually getting to...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (7 Nov 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: Members are reminded of the provisions within Standing Order 218 that the committee shall refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government, or the merits of the objectives of such policies. Members are also reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (7 Nov 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: Can we agree to note the listing of accounts and financial statements? Is that agreed? Agreed. As usual, the listing of accounts and financial statements will be published as part of our minutes. I will move to correspondence. As previously agreed, items that were not flagged for discussion for this meeting will be dealt with in accordance with the proposed actions that have been...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (7 Nov 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: I add my frustration that we do not have Children’s Health Ireland or the board in front of the committee today. This committee is incredibly important because we look at how public money is spent. We always need to show respect to the taxpayers and how their money is spent. That is a critical part of the committee’s work. It is frustrating when this committee is trying to...