Results 641-660 of 1,730 for speaker:Aisling Dolan

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Feb 2022)

Aisling Dolan: Today is a true occasion for me. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his comments earlier. As is the case for so many colleagues, today is about being able to bring our families into the House. It is a true occasion because it is the first time we can do that in two years. I thank the Cathaoirleach, my colleagues and the ushers for making this a special occasion. Being a representative is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Feb 2022)

Aisling Dolan: Today, 24 February, war was declared by Russia on the Ukraine, a European country of over 40 million people. This is war and the worst conflict in Europe since the Second World War. How many survivors of that war are alive? How long do we have living memory of a war that changed the course of history? We brought the EU into being to prevent this type of aggression that is now happening in...

Seanad: Mental Health and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Statements (24 Feb 2022)

Aisling Dolan: The Minister of State is very welcome to the House to speak with us about CAMHS. I am a member of the Joint Sub-committee on Mental Health. As many colleagues have said this evening, we have seen the impact of Covid-19 over the past two years. It has been shocking. We have heard from our experts. We have heard from psychiatrists. We have had communities come in to speak to us. I know...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Mar 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I wish to speak about the Skillnet funding that has been announced today for businesses in this country. This funding is for SMEs and microenterprises and has been allocated from the Brexit adjustment reserve fund, which totals over €1 billion. That fund, which was channelled through the Department of Foreign Affairs, was designed to support countries impacted by Brexit. We already...

Seanad: Situation in Ukraine: Statements (1 Mar 2022)

Aisling Dolan: We must be clear that the Irish people and the Irish Government condemn Vladimir Putin. It is not just that. There is a war on democracy. Democracy in countries around the world is failing. Ukraine, as a democracy of 40 million people, is being invaded and attacked. Increasing sanctions have been introduced. I know, through the Minister, that aid has been offered to the Ukrainian...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Facilities (2 Mar 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I wish to share time with Senator Buttimer, if that is okay?

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Facilities (2 Mar 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I welcome the Minister of State with responsibility for community development and charities. I also thank him for taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister. We are requesting an update from the Department of Rural and Community Development on how we can support open access to school buildings after hours for communities and youth organisations through the CLÁR programme...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Facilities (2 Mar 2022)

Aisling Dolan: This is crucial. The Minister of State mentioned in his response that schools are encouraged to make their facilities available for wider community use but we need something stronger to provide that where boards of management face challenges in that respect, we will engage with them to find out why school facilities are not being made available in certain areas. The Minister of State will...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Facilities (2 Mar 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I appreciate that response and thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: Credit Union Sector: Statements (2 Mar 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming.

Seanad: Credit Union Sector: Statements (2 Mar 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I thank the Minister of State. Senators Casey, Keogan and Maria Byrne will each speak for seven minutes.

Seanad: Credit Union Sector: Statements (2 Mar 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, for statements on the credit union sector and the importance of community banking. We have all spoken about levels of trust. We see that in all of our towns and villages. As Senator Murphy said, there are significant challenges to access banking services in our smaller towns when our traditional banks are closing down. It is incredible....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (22 Feb 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I welcome all the witnesses. We are talking about future funding at third level. The allocation of over 6,000 student places over the past two years, in incredible circumstances, including Covid lockdown, was a phenomenal achievement on the part of third level colleges and the Department. I note there is an additional €430 million in capital funding and that 45% of that will go...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (22 Feb 2022)

Aisling Dolan: It is a promotion.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (22 Feb 2022)

Aisling Dolan: Professor Derek O'Keeffe.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (22 Feb 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I thank Mr. Miley. I appreciate that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (22 Feb 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I suppose we also need to look at the National Training Fund and apprenticeships. Does Professor Hegarty from the Higher Education Colleges Association wish to make a quick point?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (22 Feb 2022)

Aisling Dolan: It is very awake.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (22 Feb 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I agree completely. How can we encourage employers who are now getting €2,000?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (22 Feb 2022)

Aisling Dolan: The return for employers is also in recruitment and retention, and access to third level qualifications provided by the State.