Results 801-820 of 6,783 for speaker:Seán Kyne

Other Questions: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (8 Oct 2013)

Seán Kyne: 68. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the progress report from the National Council for Special Education-appointed working group, tasked with developing a new model for the allocation of resources to schools in line with the NCSE's main recommendations, has been received as expected by the end of September; if the report will be published; and if there will be an opportunity...

Other Questions: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (8 Oct 2013)

Seán Kyne: I thank the Minister. I understood the report was to be published in September. There are ongoing delays, so it will not be until the end of spring. I ask this question in the context of the concerns of parents of children with Down's syndrome and the campaign by Down's syndrome educational quality advocates to have Down's syndrome recognised as a low incidence disability by the Department...

Topical Issue Debate: Dáil Reform (8 Oct 2013)

Seán Kyne: Regarding Seanad reform, a duplication of the Dáil is not required. There is a better role for a second House. For example, the Seanad could play an important role in the scrutiny of EU legislation and fulfil the greater role of national parliaments envisaged under the Lisbon treaty. In such a scenario, the existing Seanad panels could be replaced by new panels organised along the...

Topical Issue Debate: Dáil Reform (8 Oct 2013)

Seán Kyne: I thank the Taoiseach for his response. I also thank him for attending the House to take this Topical Issue. I welcome the assertion that the pre and post-enactment phases will not be watered down. While I accept the point concerning the Whip, it should be possible to consider loosening that grip for non-vital legislation. Those of us who voted on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Pathways to Work 2013: Discussion with Department of Social Protection (8 Oct 2013)

Seán Kyne: I will read the responses to my questions. I welcome Ms Vaughan and her colleagues. I also welcome the proposals made and the plan behind the Intreo offices and the integration of those seeking unemployment benefit and finding employment for them and all that it entails. My concern lies with the removal of community welfare offices from remote areas such as mine in Connemara. It can...

Other Questions: Pension Provisions (9 Oct 2013)

Seán Kyne: 10. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform with regard to the Haddington Road agreement, if the reduction in the pension related deduction, currently at 5% of the salary portion €15,000 to €19,999 and due to be reduced to 2.5%, has been implemented; and if not, if he will indicate the timeframe for the introduction of this measure. [42509/13]

Other Questions: Pension Provisions (9 Oct 2013)

Seán Kyne: I thank the Minister for that clarification. I have been contacted by individuals who believed that this measure would be in effect from 1 July. I will revert to them on the matter. I also acknowledge the Minister's work on the Haddington Road agreement, which signifies the solidarity of public sector workers in restoring our public finances.

Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Oct 2013)

Seán Kyne: It goes without saying that forensic science has transformed crime detection and investigation and enabled police forces to solve crimes that would have remained unsolved in earlier times. We are all aware of forensic science through entertainment and the media, with a plethora of books, films and television programmes on the topic. It is an area that has both influenced and been influenced...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Performance Management and Development System (9 Oct 2013)

Seán Kyne: 16. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the progress of the implementation of phase two changes to the performance management and development system that are currently under way; the take-up of additional skills training courses across Departments as a result of PMDS reviews; and his views on overall progress in renewing the PMDS system. [42508/13]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fisheries Protection (15 Oct 2013)

Seán Kyne: 202. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the scientific data collected on eel numbers here since the introduction of a ban in 2009; his views on the conservation plans; his plans to bring to an end the prohibition on eel fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43598/13]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Provision (15 Oct 2013)

Seán Kyne: 385. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will consider the use of the city-county childcare committees structure for the implementation of the new mentioning system for childcare providers; her views on whether that the CCC structure could undertake this important new task relatively quickly and effectively. [43600/13]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (15 Oct 2013)

Seán Kyne: 442. To ask the Minister for Health if the over 70's medical card provisions will be amended to cover the cost of the medical examination which is required for all persons over 70 when applying for a driving licence which must be renewed every three years. [43599/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Companies Bill 2012: Discussion (15 Oct 2013)

Seán Kyne: I welcome the witnesses. My first question is for Mr. Lenihan. It makes perfect sense that there be proper definition and prohibition of those who are not suitably qualified. Mr. Lenihan referenced the 2003 Act. Were the issues raised in that regard pursued at that stage? If not, why not and what particular issues arose? My second question is to Mr. Gordon. Internationally, how are...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Data (17 Oct 2013)

Seán Kyne: 36. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have turned downed reasonable offers of education, training or employment in each of the years since she began her tenure as Minister for Social Protection; the possible sanctions available on foot of such refusals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43405/13]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Information and Communications Technology Issues (17 Oct 2013)

Seán Kyne: 54. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the progress made in providing a new computer software programmes for the delivery and administration of direct payment social welfare schemes; if all schemes will be administered via a single platform; if she would outline the co-operation and information exchange that takes place between her Department's IT system and that of Revenue. [43404/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Discussion with Minister of State (17 Oct 2013)

Seán Kyne: I welcome the Minister of State to the meeting. He spoke about the return to stability after years of concern about the euro. Ireland plans to exit the bailout in December, which will be very well received among his European colleagues. What has been the feedback from them with regard to that exit? I refer to the concerns about other countries such as Portugal and Greece, and also the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Seirbhísí Eitilte (22 Oct 2013)

Seán Kyne: 93. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht an mbeadh sé in ann a chinntiú go gcuirfear sochair shocheacnamaíocha na seirbhíse san áireamh sa scrúdú a dhéanfar maidir leis an oibleagáid seirbhíse poiblí i leith na seirbhíse aeir d'Oileáin Árann agus nach mbeidh an scrúdú sin teoranta...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Business Closures and Job Losses: Discussion with National Off-Licence Association (22 Oct 2013)

Seán Kyne: I welcome the group here today. As a Deputy elected in 2011, I would not be so familiar with the debate on the groceries order at the time. It is a matter on which the committee might hold a discussion to see what was the rationale at the time and whether it can be considered or what are the ins and outs of that area. Without giving any personal view on it, I support the call for a debate...

Local Government Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Oct 2013)

Seán Kyne: Like many Deputies, I am a former member of a local authority, having served on Galway County Council for seven years. As a representative of the Connemara local electoral area, I felt the system worked quite well. Local government is currently overseen by the Local Government Act 2001, which consolidated previous legislation on local government. The Putting People First document, which...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Oct 2013)

Seán Kyne: Earlier this week I was criticised on social media for tabling a parliamentary question on social welfare policy and spending. I was slightly puzzled as I found it difficult to understand why people felt it was inappropriate that I would table a question on how €20 billion, or 40%, of our State spending is allocated. I firmly believe that a Deputy who is disinterested in the way...