Results 6,021-6,040 of 9,832 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Capital Programme (27 Mar 2018)

Thomas Byrne: 419. To ask the Minister for Health if capital investment is planned for the laundry department of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital; his views on whether the facilities and equipment of the laundry department need improvement and investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14004/18]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners Audits (28 Mar 2018)

Thomas Byrne: 141. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of external reviews which have taken place in the Revenue Commissioners in respect of taxes due; and the number of these reviews that have resulted in repayments to taxpayers as a result of external reviews in each of the past five years. [14338/18]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Centres Data (28 Mar 2018)

Thomas Byrne: 147. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the OPW heritage facilities which are staffed by tour guides but which do not have parking or toilet facilities for visitors. [14306/18]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Recreational Facilities (28 Mar 2018)

Thomas Byrne: 148. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will proceed with a playground at a location (details supplied) for which planning permission was obtained some time ago. [14307/18]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (28 Mar 2018)

Thomas Byrne: 152. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the minimum amount of children needed for a school bus service, either to establish or retain a service. [14309/18]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Question Heading (28 Mar 2018)

Thomas Byrne: 280. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the membership of the working group on the Hill of Tara. [14299/18]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Question Heading (28 Mar 2018)

Thomas Byrne: 281. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the working group on the Hill of Tara will report on its work. [14300/18]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Question Heading (28 Mar 2018)

Thomas Byrne: 282. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will meet local residents in relation to the Hill of Tara. [14301/18]

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Revised) (28 Mar 2018)

Thomas Byrne: I refer to programme A, first, second and early years education, on the current side. I do not want to delay the meeting but I do have some questions. I acknowledge that contained within that are the commitments in the confidence and supply agreement in respect of the pupil-teacher ratio and guidance counsellors. It is welcome that the pupil-teacher ratio will drop to 26:1 at primary level...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Revised) (28 Mar 2018)

Thomas Byrne: May I query some of the points the Minister made?

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Revised) (28 Mar 2018)

Thomas Byrne: Will the Minister set out clearly his view on the equalisation of teacher pay scales and whether he supports the principle of equal pay scales for teachers? He should indicate whether he will make such a statement at the teacher conferences next week. There has been enough talk about this issue. The parties in the Dáil, except for Fine Gael, are united on this. What the unions or,...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Revised) (28 Mar 2018)

Thomas Byrne: I would like to add to that briefly. Some time ago, I tabled a parliamentary question on the subject of section 29 appeals in respect of expulsion, suspension or admission. The figures I received in reply, which are on the record of the Dáil, show that children with special needs are disproportionately more likely to be users of the section 29 system. It is utterly disproportionate....

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Revised) (28 Mar 2018)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister cannot blame the unions.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Revised) (28 Mar 2018)

Thomas Byrne: It was certainly prioritised by the teachers' unions.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Revised) (28 Mar 2018)

Thomas Byrne: I am shocked the Minister has decided to blame the trade unions. It is fair enough to throw Fianna Fáil into it. We were in government up to 2011. We fought an election against the Minister under sustained criticism by him at the time. We are seven years on from that.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Revised) (28 Mar 2018)

Thomas Byrne: Seven years on from that, the Minister turns around to blame the trade unions. It is just extraordinary. The comment should be withdrawn by the Minister. A Government decision is required, not a decision by the trade unions. The teachers' unions rejected the pay agreement at the time. Perhaps the Minister will give us more details on those pay talks, to which I am not privy, and the...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Revised) (28 Mar 2018)

Thomas Byrne: Did the Deputy raise the gender issue under skills development?

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Revised) (28 Mar 2018)

Thomas Byrne: I was going to raise the same issue. The only point I will make is it is one of the few areas of gender equality where we are disgracefully embarrassed by the figures. There is a collection of reasons for that. Deputy Catherine Martin has asked about it.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Revised) (28 Mar 2018)

Thomas Byrne: I have a question for the Minister. Where does capital expenditure on further education come into the Estimates? Is it in the grant to SOLAS under this heading or is it part of capital expenditure? Does it exist at all?

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Revised) (28 Mar 2018)

Thomas Byrne: Is that under the capital head?