Results 70,181-70,200 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 Oct 2023)

Bernard Durkan: 379. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if this jurisdiction is likely to experience a shortage of graduates in the future within a particular area to meet the demand of the corresponding workforce; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45988/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 Oct 2023)

Bernard Durkan: 385. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to what extent he continues to liaise with the technical sector in education with a view to ensuring adequate provision in respect of graduates in both areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45994/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 Oct 2023)

Bernard Durkan: 387. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which he expects science to play an increased role in the higher education sector, with particular reference to ensuring an adequate number of graduates to meet the demands of the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45996/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 Oct 2023)

Bernard Durkan: 389. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the individual areas in the academic or technical sectors showing the greatest requirement in respect of graduates; the extent to which he and his Department continue to respond to this need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45998/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (19 Oct 2023)

Bernard Durkan: 380. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of apprentices currently available; the extent to which this is sufficient to meet requirements; his plans to introduce any new apprenticeship programmes in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45989/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (19 Oct 2023)

Bernard Durkan: 381. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure continued access to third-level for all students seeking to avail of education at this level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45990/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (19 Oct 2023)

Bernard Durkan: 382. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he and his Department have identified any specific obstacles which may impede improvement and achievement in the further and higher educational sectors and impact our ability to continue to establish Ireland's reputation as equal to the best globally in higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45991/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (19 Oct 2023)

Bernard Durkan: 384. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he and his Department propose to broaden the higher education opportunities for undergraduates with a view to maximisation of their opportunities in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45993/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (19 Oct 2023)

Bernard Durkan: 383. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the role he sees for the further and higher education, research, innovation and science sectors in the current year and future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45992/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Costs (19 Oct 2023)

Bernard Durkan: 386. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which higher education costs have increased over the past number of years; the extent of financial assistance now available for all students seeking to avail of third-level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45995/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (19 Oct 2023)

Bernard Durkan: 388. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which he continues to make provision for an increased number of technical graduates/apprentices in order to meet the needs of individual sectors in the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45997/23]

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Oct 2023)

Bernard Durkan: 12. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [45021/23]

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Oct 2023)

Bernard Durkan: Might it be possible to set up an international forum on site and close to the zones of conflict where it could be regarded as the go-to authority to relay grievances on both sides? We must acknowledge that the incursion into Israel by Hamas two weeks ago was not necessarily a friendly gesture, as some would try to paint it nowadays. The retaliation is not a friendly gesture, as some would...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Payments (24 Oct 2023)

Bernard Durkan: 57. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which she remains satisfied that all critical issues anticipated in budget 2024 have been adequately dealt with, notwithstanding the ongoing economic/cost of living issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46441/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Payments (24 Oct 2023)

Bernard Durkan: To what extent is the Minster satisfied that she has touched all the sensitive areas in relation to the challenges that face people who are dependent on a social welfare payment, and particularly in the face of rising costs, the cost-of-living increases, and a whole lot of challenges that manifested themselves as a result of inflation?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Payments (24 Oct 2023)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister for that comprehensive reply. I am not going to prolong my question because other Members' questions are grouped with it. I congratulate the Minister on identifying the areas she has referred to and for acknowledging the fact that there are people who are in particular difficulties at the present time, through no fault of their own, due to the fact that circumstances...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Payments (24 Oct 2023)

Bernard Durkan: No, I am happy. I will let my colleagues in.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pensions (24 Oct 2023)

Bernard Durkan: 74. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider allowing pro-rata pensions on the basis of the proportion of contributions made by the pensioner relative to qualifying number of such contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46440/23]