Results 1,241-1,260 of 3,777 for speaker:Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Flexible Work Practices (17 Nov 2022)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: 117. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he intends to expand the provisions of flexible working and remote working contained in the Work Life Balance Bill 2022 to all employees, beyond those who are in care relationships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56948/22]

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Second Stage (22 Nov 2022)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: Before I address my substantive points, I note that one of the benefits of sharing the duties of chairing the House with the Ceann Comhairle is that one gets to listen to debates in depth. Much of the debate on the Bill has been good. I do not know whether anybody has eulogised the budget. All Members across the House have pointed to aspects they believe are good. Deputy O'Donnell...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Operation of the Social Welfare Appeals Office: Department of Social Protection (9 Nov 2022)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: I just want to remind members who might be participating online that if they wish put questions, they might use the raise hand function on MS Teams. I will put a couple of questions for the moment, if that is okay. I just want to echo what the Chair said with regard to in-person oral hearings. I can see how the temptation would be to move to remote hearings as it is handier for everybody...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Operation of the Social Welfare Appeals Office: Department of Social Protection (9 Nov 2022)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: It was mentioned in the Department's opening statement, which referred to providing “for all appeal decisions to be notified to the parties affected by the decisions within 15 working days.”

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Operation of the Social Welfare Appeals Office: Department of Social Protection (9 Nov 2022)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: On the Irish language issue, our guests will understand people's frustration. Irish is the first language of the State, yet people are often forced to do their business through English. Mr. McKeon said that 900 of the Department’s staff have been identified as capable and competent in Irish. What yardstick is being used for that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Operation of the Social Welfare Appeals Office: Department of Social Protection (9 Nov 2022)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: It is a discussion that has been had many times at Comhchoiste na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus Phobal Labhartha na Gaeilge as to how we could use the common European framework, for example.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Operation of the Social Welfare Appeals Office: Department of Social Protection (9 Nov 2022)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: Is the Senator happy with that? Are there any supplementary questions?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Operation of the Social Welfare Appeals Office: Department of Social Protection (9 Nov 2022)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: In that case, I will bring in Deputy Collins.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Operation of the Social Welfare Appeals Office: Department of Social Protection (9 Nov 2022)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: Does Deputy Collins have any supplementary questions?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Operation of the Social Welfare Appeals Office: Department of Social Protection (9 Nov 2022)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: As no other members wish to contribute, that concludes our consideration of this matter. I thank the officials from the Department for their constructive and positive engagement with this committee. We will shortly discuss our next consideration of this matter in private session. For the moment, go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (23 Nov 2022)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: 143. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a citizenship application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58189/22]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (23 Nov 2022)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: 144. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of an application for a naturalisation certificate by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58190/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2022)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: 7. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress that has been made on fulfilling the Government commitment to increase recruitment in the Defence Forces by 2,000 by 2028; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58350/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2022)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: This issue has already been teased out in the discussion this morning. There is a well-acknowledged issue around recruitment and, in particular, retention in our Defence Forces. I ask about the progress made on fulfilling the Government commitment to increase recruitment in the Defence Forces by 2028.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2022)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: I thank the Minister. One of the central challenges, which is well understood and which Deputy Berry talked about, concerns medical officers. We are in an economy close to full employment and there are working terms and conditions elsewhere, such as being able to go home at 5 p.m., which make the Defence Forces less attractive. The Minister rightly acknowledged that the numbers have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2022)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: I acknowledge that much of that increased commitment and focus is down to the Minister’s genuine interest in this area. I know he has a genuine interest in the Naval Service in particular. We have never seen the need for us to control our own waters more clearly demonstrated. I am thinking currently but am also looking ahead. There will be increased activity as we develop our...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (24 Nov 2022)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: I know the Tánaiste's Department leads on the oversight of work permits from non-EU and non-EEA countries. I have engaged on this specific issue previously with the Minister of State, Deputy English. The critical skills occupation list was last updated in June 2022, relatively recently, but is there sufficient cross-departmental engagement on addressing specific skills shortages in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Emergency Planning (24 Nov 2022)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: 46. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to improve the capacity of the Office of Emergency Planning in view of the increasing frequency and impact of adverse weather events due to climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58349/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (24 Nov 2022)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: 142. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has considered the possibilities afforded by integrating the school transport system into the wider public transport network to unlock efficiencies of scale and network design; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57828/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (24 Nov 2022)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: 134. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria for admission to the summer provision programme; the way that the criteria have changed over the expansion of the scheme; the number accommodated across the different strands to provide for different needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58178/22]