Results 1-20 of 689 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Pádraig O'Sullivan

Report on Examination of School Costs, School Facilities and Teaching Principals: Motion [Private Members] (5 Dec 2019)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: Gabhaim buíochas do na daoine thíos i gCorcaigh a vótáil dom an tseachtain seo chaite. I thank the Acting Chairman for the opportunity to speak this evening on this report. This is my first time speaking in Dáil Éireann and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this discussion. Until recently I was a secondary school teacher in Coláiste an...

Section 39 Organisations: Motion [Private Members] (17 Dec 2019)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: Two weeks ago, we celebrated International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Today, as previously raised in a Fianna Fail Private Members' motion in 2018, we are again highlighting the massive discrepancies in pay for section 39 health organisation and not-for-profit sector workers, many of whom work directly with those with special needs and disabilities. This sector provides health and...

Covid-19 (Education and Skills): Statements (13 May 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I wish to put questions to the Minister on a number of aspects. As he knows, for 15 years I was a schoolteacher, as was Deputy Foley from Kerry. We have a number of questions specific to the leaving certificate. In the context of where we are at with Covid-19, we fully understand this was a difficult decision for the Minister and it did not come lightly. He is moving with the public...

Covid-19 (Finance): Statements (20 May 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: An chéad cheist atá agam, tá sí mar gheall ar mhorgáistí. People who are on the wage subsidy scheme are currently having a difficulty in drawing down mortgages. I am sure the Minister is well aware of it. Will he make a statement on the matter to clarify it?

Covid-19 (Finance): Statements (20 May 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: An dara cheist atá agam, tá sí mar gheall ar an wage subsidy scheme arís. We in this Chamber are well aware that the wage subsidy scheme is a taxable source of income. I am not so sure that message is quite out there among the public. It is out there is some circles but I do not think it is as obvious to most people as it is to those of us in here. Does the Minister...

Outbreaks of Covid-19 in Meat Processing Plants: Statements (21 May 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: We need to acknowledge, given that the majority of the workers we are speaking about in meat factories work extensive shifts of eight, ten or 12 hours, that it is contradictory, as Deputy McConalogue noted, that we in the House are, unfortunately, permitted to sit in the Chamber for only two hours in one day. That is a bit contradictory in light of this debate. We in Fianna Fáil...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (28 May 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: Unlike my colleague, Deputy McAuliffe, I have no problem repeating myself or repeating what has been said earlier in the House. First, I acknowledge that the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, agreed earlier that something will be done to allay the concerns of women returning to work after maternity leave cover. I welcome that response. Perhaps the Minister would elaborate on what is to...

Covid-19 (Justice and Equality): Statements (4 Jun 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I echo the sentiment with which the Minister began regarding the conduct of An Garda Síochána throughout the pandemic. We are all aware of stories in our own communities where gardaí have excelled at what they do. I wish to raise the widespread issue of public drinking. It is found in every constituency but has become increasingly prevalent. It is now commonplace to see...

July Education Programme: Statements (10 Jun 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: As the Minister knows, I was a secondary school teacher for 15 years. I have taught the July provision so I understand how difficult it is to get staff during the summer months to cater for those children's needs, especially during this difficult period, with all the public health advice and all that will be attached to it. I have just three points to make to the Minister. If he cannot...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (Resumed) (10 Jun 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I have a number of queries and would appreciate if the Minister could revert to me. First, I welcome a number of developments in the north side of Cork city in recent weeks. The Lord Mayor of Cork cut the ribbon this week on developments in Knocknaheeny, Blarney Street and Blackpool, and we have the potential development of the St. Kevin's Hospital site on the north side of the city for...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (17 Jun 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I have two queries for the Minister. First, I welcome the announcement of €25 million in funding for the Arts Council. Many politicians here and at local authority level were lobbied hard on this matter over recent months and the funding is broadly welcomed. Following on from that, a number of small cinemas, theatres, local arts groups and arts centres are looking to reopen...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (Resumed) (17 Jun 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I will be parochial as well and mention the particular case of the Glanmire flood relief scheme, which is ongoing as the Minister knows. Glanmire was flooded back in 2012 and after the initial shock that the residents there received, they were delighted that the flood prevention scheme was approved. The scheme was meant to be completed at this stage and it is running approximately two years...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Credit Unions (16 Jul 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: 7. To ask the Minister for Finance the timeframe for the review of the policy framework within which credit unions operate. [16285/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Credit Unions (16 Jul 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I congratulate the Minister on his recent appointment. It is a great personal honour for him and I know that he will do Ireland proud in Europe. I wish him the best of luck in his new venture. I will follow up with a question. The Minister acknowledges that in the programme for Government there are various technicalities that we need to work out in respect of credit unions. There are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Credit Unions (16 Jul 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I have one other point. There is also a commitment in the programme for Government to develop funding options to deliver retrofitting with suitable retail partners such as An Post and the credit unions. I understand the Irish League of Credit Unions has been developing a deep retrofit loan product in recent months. It would be a positive step if this was advanced promptly. Will the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (23 Jul 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: 24. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to increase the supply of affordable housing in County Cork. [17636/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Staff (30 Jul 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: 7. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to address the shortage of teachers in post-primary schools. [19324/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Staff (30 Jul 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: The Minister and I were both formerly schoolteachers and we understand the challenges in terms of teacher shortages in education. This is a problem that predates Covid and the plan to reopen schools in September. I welcome the recent announcement the Minister made regarding 1,080 additional teachers for post-primary schools. Will she provide the House with details on how these posts will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Staff (30 Jul 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: The shortage of teachers has a dramatic knock-on effect on students, teachers and the whole education system. Lack of sufficient qualified teachers and staff instability threaten students' ability to learn and reduce teachers' effectiveness. Teacher shortages at post-primary level need to be tackled in the context of growing student numbers. Every year as principals scramble to fill posts...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Staff (30 Jul 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: Another issue arising with the introduction of these new posts is the timeline for the completion of training. It is welcome that induction training is to be provided to school staff ahead of reopening. Where that training is due to take place and in schools where teachers have just started in new posts, there is likely to be a period where they will have to adjust or acclimatise to their...