Results 1,041-1,060 of 1,493 for speaker:Eileen Flynn

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Mar 2024)

Eileen Flynn: The trespass legislation in this country stops the Traveller community from being a nomadic people. Since 2017, Travellers have been recognised as an indigenous people of this country but we do not have the right to be able to travel. One of the recommendations from the committee is to repeal the trespass legislation. Legislation dating from 2002 that deals with trespass blocks Travellers...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Mar 2024)

Eileen Flynn: May I ask one further question? This may come back to bite me but I wish to address the issue of hate crime legislation. The witnesses are professionals who deal with discrimination every day. I am strongly in favour of hate crime legislation. I came into the Oireachtas with a vision of bringing in legislation that protects people who are part of minority groups. Do CLM and FLAC support...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Planning for Inclusive Communities: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Mar 2024)

Eileen Flynn: I thank the Minister of State for coming before the committee. I have done some work with him over the past few months and credit where credit is due, I believe he tries his best for people. People with disabilities come from all walks of life and how does Traveller accommodation that is not fit for purpose fit into the CAS programme to look after children with disabilities who are from the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Planning for Inclusive Communities: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Mar 2024)

Eileen Flynn: The Minister of State spoke about funding for Traveller accommodation. For the record, since he took this role he has been easy to work with and, most importantly, funding has been drawn down. It is only fair to put the record straight.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Planning for Inclusive Communities: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Mar 2024)

Eileen Flynn: Yes, very much so.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Planning for Inclusive Communities: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Mar 2024)

Eileen Flynn: I do not want to, because this is the Joint Committee on Disability Matters. I will say, however, that the Minister of State's feedback on parks for the children is extremely welcome.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Planning for Inclusive Communities: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Mar 2024)

Eileen Flynn: I thank him for that.

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Mar 2024)

Eileen Flynn: Yes.

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Education Policy: Department of Education (11 Apr 2024)

Eileen Flynn: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. For me, sitting here, I have written down many statistics and figures that have been thrown out in front of us this morning. I am thinking of my little four-year-old at home who wants to be a doctor. She is in early education. When she grows up she wants to be a doctor, and I hope with all my heart my child has the same equality of opportunities as any...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Education Policy: Department of Education (11 Apr 2024)

Eileen Flynn: It is the lack of implementation. I believe in fairness. I believe we are all in politics for the right reasons and that we work in NGOs for the right reasons. We start off on a good footing and we want better equality of opportunities for all children. However, we genuinely need the political will to implement the things that already exist and we already have. The community is...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Education Policy: Department of Education (11 Apr 2024)

Eileen Flynn: I am interested in hearing more about reduced timetables and health assessments. As a member of the education committee, I am aware that there are some children who must be on a reduced timetable because it is better for them and their ability to learn and take in information. However, there are too many Traveller children on reduced timetables, unfortunately. Many parents believe their...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Education Policy: Department of Education (11 Apr 2024)

Eileen Flynn: It is really important that we look at the positives too and I would say that Traveller parents are more aware of reduced timetables, have more information on them and know that they can intervene. It is important to acknowledge that. I hope that when we get the next report, we will see that the figures have dropped. When we talk about children with additional needs or complex needs, that...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Education Policy: Department of Education (11 Apr 2024)

Eileen Flynn: We had a meeting with the Department in November, which was very good. I left it feeling so energised, that the Department was trying its best in respect of equal opportunities for members of the Traveller community in the education system. I have had mothers come up to me in Labre Park halting site to tell me that their child is on a reduced timetable and that Tusla does not have anything...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Education Policy: Department of Education (11 Apr 2024)

Eileen Flynn: The hot meals and the breakfast clubs for children are very much welcomed by the Traveller community. I have a lot of criticism because I can see history keep repeating itself. I know the good work that individuals in the Department of Education and organisations are doing. Again, when that young woman or man reaches the age of 16, what happens? Is that down to poverty? When we were in...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Education Policy: Department of Education (11 Apr 2024)

Eileen Flynn: Before the meeting closes, I want to say that next Thursday, we will be joined by Travellers in the Seanad Chamber for a meeting of this committee. The meeting will cover the subjects scrutinised by this committee, including education, employment, accommodation and health, including mental health. I would love the Departments to look in and see the line-up of speakers that we have - young...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Education Policy: Department of Education (11 Apr 2024)

Eileen Flynn: I think we are launching NTRIS on 25 April.

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Education Policy: Department of Education (11 Apr 2024)

Eileen Flynn: My stepsister is a youth worker in Exchange House Ireland. She was saying that the Department was in there a few weeks ago with some young children.

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Education Policy: Department of Education (11 Apr 2024)

Eileen Flynn: Approximately six months ago I was talking about extra activities for Travellers. A young girl wanted to start Irish dancing, but did not have the money to do it. I asked myself who I could contact to get this child the support to go into Irish dancing. Again, I signposted the mother back to the local community. Can we maybe look at special additional funds for Travellers who want to be...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Education Policy: Department of Education (11 Apr 2024)

Eileen Flynn: At a launch on poverty day last year, I raised the issue of education and the need for more home school liaison teachers. I know the importance of the home school liaison teacher from when I was coming up through school, whether it was getting that bar of chocolate or cup of tea, or having someone you could talk to. It was what really supported me to come through the education system. I...