Results 1-20 of 1,088 for speaker:Kathleen Funchion in 'Dáil debates'

Housing and Homelessness: Statements (22 Mar 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: I am glad to get an opportunity to speak on such an important issue for the constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. I was first elected to local government in 2009. In my time in local and national politics, housing has been one of the single biggest issues facing my constituency. It is not surprising that there is a housing crisis, given that little social housing has been constructed in recent...

Housing Issues: Statements (14 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: Since the last time the Dáil discussed the housing situation two to three weeks ago, I have dealt with ten families presenting as homeless or at risk of homelessness in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. I am sure that is not unique to me. Deputies from all parties and none have been dealing with this situation as well. What people in this situation are looking for are solutions...

EU-UK Relations: Statements (21 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: I understood I was sharing time with Deputy Ó Caoláin. I have a very short speech, everyone will be glad to hear. First, I commend Deputy Clare Daly. Her speech was fantastic. The passion and emotion she showed was fantastic as is the fact that she went out there. The Brexit referendum, which takes place on 23 June 2016, could have profound ramifications for this island. I...

EU Migration and Refugee Crisis: Statements (28 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: As a country that has such a long history of emigration, our response to the refugee crisis - I use that term for want of better words, as I am not am a fan of it - has been nothing short of disgraceful. For generations, Irish people have moved abroad to live and work. I am sure that nearly every Deputy in this House has an experience to relate of emigration through family or friends. My...

Crime: Statements (5 May 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: I wish to focus on rural crime. It is important to remember that crime does not discriminate between urban and rural areas. It is also important that in discussing this issue we reflect on the worrying increase in crime in rural areas in recent years. There is a real sense of fear in communities where people are particularly vulnerable. The reality is that it is a result of cutbacks to...

Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (17 May 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: I congratulate the Minister on her appointment and wish her every success in her new role in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. I look forward to working constructively with her. I thought yesterday's briefing was excellent. I was happy to attend it. It was very useful. I hope similar briefings will be organised in the future. I hope the appointment of the Minister, Deputy...

Mental Health Services: Statements (Resumed) (24 May 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: I wish the Minister of State all the best in her new role. I want to focus on two areas. The first relates to mental health among our children and young people. We all know there has been a significant increase in the number of children and young people suffering in relation to mental health, particularly with anxiety and depression. I commend the role that the Child and Adolescent...

United Kingdom Referendum on European Union Membership: Statements (27 Jun 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: In the aftermath of the Brexit vote there are a number of important issues to focus on and I would like to deal with two of those in my contribution to this debate. First, while Sinn Féin campaigned for and supported a "Remain" vote, it is important that this is not viewed or interpreted in any way as a ringing endorsement of the current structure, set-up or mindset of the EU...

Protection of Life in Pregnancy (Amendment) (Fatal Foetal Abnormalities) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (30 Jun 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: I commend Deputies Wallace and Clare Daly for bringing this issue forward and I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on it. For me, this is about two things; it is about choice and respect. It is about respecting the choice of a woman when faced with the devastating news of a foetal fatal abnormality. It is about respecting her choice to access a termination in that situation. I...

Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (5 Jul 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: As somebody who worked in the trade union movement until my election to this House in February this year, I welcome the Bill and the opportunity to speak to it. Before speaking to it, however, I urge the Minister and Fianna Fáil Deputies to re-read it because, based on some of the ridiculous statements made, clearly they do not understand it. I also invite them to work alongside...

Au Pair Placement Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (13 Jul 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: While the Bill acknowledges the need for the regulation of this sector, Sinn Féin cannot support it as it does not go far enough. It is not sufficient in its current form and in its recommendations as my colleagues have and will continue to outline in their contributions. As party spokesperson on child care, I will focus briefly on the elephant in the room, which is the cost of child...

Domiciliary Care Allowance: Motion [Private Members] (19 Jul 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Comhghairdeas in your new role. One of key issues in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny is that of the domiciliary care allowance, DCA. Parents struggle to apply for and obtain the allowance, while there is the added pressure of not automatically getting a medical card. I commend the work of parents who fight daily for their children...

Financial Resolutions 2017 - Financial Resolution No. 2: General (Resumed) (13 Oct 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: I will confine my comments on budget 2017 to the child care scheme. I acknowledge the Minister's efforts in terms of the early years sector and welcome some of the steps she has taken in tackling the crisis of child care costs for some families. However, we have a broken system that has been haphazardly plastered over year after year with ad hocmeasures. It is a sector which has been...

Funding for Education: Motion [Private Members] (18 Oct 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: I welcome some of the positive aspects in budget 2017 on education, such as the increase for resource teachers and special needs assistants. One serious obstacle, however, is the rising costs for parents of sending their children to school. The Bill calls for a multiannual increase to school capitation rates and I support this as it could put a stop to the need for voluntary contributions...

Funding for Education: Motion [Private Members] (18 Oct 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: I did not raise that.

Services and Supports for People with Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: Motion [Private Members] (19 Oct 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: I welcome the motion and commend Deputy Butler for bringing it forward. I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on the issue. There is plenty of information in the public domain to substantiate the very valid calls for increased supports to all those affected by the condition of dementia. We understand that Ireland’s population is ageing at a rapid rate. We also know that the...

An Bille um an gCúigiú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An tOchtú Leasú a Aisghairm) 2016: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Repeal of the Eighth Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (25 Oct 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: I commend Deputy Coppinger on bringing the Bill forward. My colleague has already set out our position. Let me make it clear that we support the right of a woman to seek a termination of pregnancy where her life and mental health are at risk or in grave danger. We support the introduction of legislation to allow for terminations in cases of fatal foetal abnormality, rape and incest. In...

Calais Migrant Camp: Statements (2 Nov 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: When one thinks about this situation one thinks about one's own children and families, and that is actually what we really need to do - some Deputies have already made reference to this. As a mother, I think about my own two boys and how one of my greatest fears is not being able to protect them or not being able to be there for them but I know that I am lucky enough to have family and...

Public Sector Pay: Motion [Private Members] (8 Nov 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: I am conscious of time so I will cut to the point. I want to compare our situation as Deputies to workers in the child care sector. A national demonstration and strike has been organised by hundreds of child care professionals for Tuesday of next week. This is a result of the sector's absolute frustration and exasperation with the refusal of the Government to acknowledge the worsening...

Social Welfare Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill and I thank Deputy Mitchell for sharing her time. Sinn Féin advocated for an equality-proofed budget and this was reflected in the proposals we made in our alternative budget for 2017. We said from the start that fairness needed to be at the heart of the budget. We said that given that some financial improvements had happened across some...