Results 821-840 of 5,754 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: It has been a long time for some Members, so much so that they have forgotten it.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: That is very-----

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I join Senators Norris and Wilson regarding the farce that is Seanad by-elections. Fortunately, the new Senator did not have the same trouble I did in the context of trying to find nine people to sign a nomination form. I thank Fianna Fáil and the nine Independent Members of the Oireachtas who gave me two nominations. I will support Senator Wilson's new Bill to extend the electorate...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (17 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: It is great to see a start.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Special Needs Provision in Second Level Schools: SNPA, NCSE and NAPD (18 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I say to the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, NAPD, that although we may not have always sung from the same hymn sheet in a former professional life of mine, I know the work it does in preparing principals to deal with all the issues we are talking about is incredible. I have seen the agenda for the conferences, along with some of the work and training being done. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Special Needs Provision in Second Level Schools: SNPA, NCSE and NAPD (18 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I went to Finland some time ago. We visited a number of schools. One of the things I looked for in every school was the mixed ability class and the special education student. We visited four large second level schools but they were unable to show me one.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Special Needs Provision in Second Level Schools: SNPA, NCSE and NAPD (18 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: They said to us that the schools in question were new and they had not yet enrolled anyone. They said they were to be found in the school 25 km away, but that the travelling party did not have time to get there. The Irish education system does a good job. We have to look at it. I am like Ms Maher. I want all doors open and I want the three boxes. However, when one special needs child...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Special Needs Provision in Second Level Schools: SNPA, NCSE and NAPD (18 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: On the issue of ownership of assistive technology, I managed the assistive technology in my school for a number of years. We could have as many as 20 or 25 laptops to hand out to students. Technology ages very quickly - the software rushes ahead and the technology chases behind. That has always been the way. If one is lucky, one finishes up after two years with 20 laptops that are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Special Needs Provision in Second Level Schools: SNPA, NCSE and NAPD (18 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Special Needs Provision in Second Level Schools: SNPA, NCSE and NAPD (18 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I wish to touch briefly on the issue of middle management, as the point made by the NAPD is vital

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Special Needs Provision in Second Level Schools: SNPA, NCSE and NAPD (18 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Prior to coming into the Seanad, I spent a great deal of time visiting schools all over the country. I do not know how some principals are still alive, let alone managing their schools. As well as being the principal of the school, the principal is the secretary to the board of management, is in charge of continuous professional development, and must take responsibility for up to 1,000...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Special Needs Provision in Second Level Schools: SNPA, NCSE and NAPD (18 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: We should be listening to the managers.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Special Needs Provision in Second Level Schools: SNPA, NCSE and NAPD (18 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I do not think that is what Mr. Byrne is looking for.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Special Needs Provision in Second Level Schools: SNPA, NCSE and NAPD (18 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: The Chairman should talk to the NAPD and find out what it wants. Its members are the experts on the ground.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Fair play.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: The Senator should get the transcript out this evening.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I would like to welcome the Minister with open arms to the House but, on this occasion, I am afraid I cannot. I congratulate his Department and those who negotiated the Lansdowne Road agreement. A number of unions have signed up to it and some low paid cohorts in the public sector will benefit from it, which should be commended and welcomed. Has the Minister brought this legislation to the...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: The Senator has not voted against a Bill and she should allow me my time. Will the Minister apply the Whip to this legislation? I need to know that because Members have been nominated by organisations that are odds with the legislation. On 13 October 2015, the Minister said in his Budget Statement that "the days of spending cuts are behind us". He further said, "I am pleased to report...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: The credibility of the Government is now at stake. Let us take, for example, An Garda Síochána. The Garda was promised a review under an appendix to the Lansdowne Road agreement which would cover structural, human resources-industrial relations issues together with remuneration.I am not sure what has happened in regard to the structural review but only one serious meeting has...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I ask the Minister to wait a minute. They have been waived, but for how long will they be waived? Unless it is written down somewhere that nobody can get them, Deputies will get €6,000.