Results 1-20 of 12,393 for speaker:Louise O'Reilly

Parental Choice in Education: Motion [Private Members] (8 May 2025)

Louise O'Reilly: I thank the Social Democrat Deputies for tabling the motion this afternoon and giving us a chance to have this discussion. Similar to Deputy O'Rourke, as well as being a parliamentarian I am a parent. It is a long time since I had a child in primary school but in order for her to be able to attend an Educate Together school I had to fight very hard simply to get her a place. This is the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Gaeltacht Policy (8 May 2025)

Louise O'Reilly: 132. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for an update on proposed Gaeltacht service plans. [14506/25]

Childcare: Motion (7 May 2025)

Louise O'Reilly: I commend my colleague, Deputy Claire Kerrane, on the motion this evening and on all the work she has done inasmuch as has been outlined. We were the only party that went to the electorate with a credible, well-thought-out, well-constructed plan to deliver affordable public childcare. At the last election, both of the parties of Government, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael - I am not sure...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Primary Care Centres (1 May 2025)

Louise O'Reilly: I thank the Minister of State for being here to discuss the Topical Issue concerning the need for primary care services for my constituency of Dublin Fingal West which is, as I am sure the Minister of State is aware, one of the fastest growing constituencies in this State. We also have a very young profile; we do not necessarily fit with the profile of the rest of this State. There is no...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Primary Care Centres (1 May 2025)

Louise O'Reilly: What I heard was "you must wait, you must travel, you are not getting the services." I have been at this for nine years. We have a primary care centre and it is a white elephant or whatever that expression is. It is not being utilised to its greatest extent. There are empty rooms and diagnostic suites that should and could have facilities in them to ensure people did not have to get into...

International Workers’ Day: Statements (1 May 2025)

Louise O'Reilly: I would like to make a brief comment. I would like Deputy Lahart to correct the record. He stated that the minimum wage had consistently gone up. Of course, it has gone up many times, as recommended by the Low Pay Commission, but it was the Deputy's party, Fianna Fáil, that cut it. It is not true to say that the minimum wage has always gone up. It was cut by the Deputy's party in...

International Workers’ Day: Statements (1 May 2025)

Louise O'Reilly: I am a bit disappointed but not a little bit surprised that the senior Minister did not stay for the full duration of the debate. He rarely does when it has anything to do with workers' rights. I wish everyone here a very happy May Day, especially those people who work here in the Oireachtas, the people who cook and clean for us, the ones who keep this place running. On May Day we...

International Workers’ Day: Statements (1 May 2025)

Louise O'Reilly: Hear, hear.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Schemes (1 May 2025)

Louise O'Reilly: On carers.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Schemes (1 May 2025)

Louise O'Reilly: Certain groups of people, including seasonal workers and school caretakers, in particular, are excluded from pay-related jobseeker's benefits and allowances. Seasonal workers are every bit as unemployed when they are not working; it is just that they are unemployed for a specific period. Will the Minister give some consideration to including those people, who we rely on and lean on in the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Payments (1 May 2025)

Louise O'Reilly: On a point of order, there was a lot of consternation and an awful lot of Dáil time was given over to Deputies in the Lowry group who insisted on having recognition. They got it and now they have a question on the Order Paper but they have not turned up to take it. I want that to be recorded because there was a lot of chat and consternation in the House, as the Minister knows. At the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Payments (1 May 2025)

Louise O'Reilly: There are 190,000 children in Ireland today classified as at risk of poverty. Child maintenance is essential. I find it incongruous that although child maintenance is absolutely essential, it is included in assessments for some necessary supports. I welcome the Minister’s words. I hope he will work with me across party lines on this matter. No one will disagree with the idea...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Payments (1 May 2025)

Louise O'Reilly: We will consider this as part of the work programme if I have anything to do with it. The Minister rightly highlighted that it is confusing when different methods of assessment are used. While he said there are sometimes valid reasons for this, there are actually no valid reasons for including child maintenance in assessments. The louder we say that and the more people we say that to, the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Payments (1 May 2025)

Louise O'Reilly: 83. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he is aware that there is a disparity in the assessment of child maintenance across different forms of supports; if he will give consideration to standardising this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21758/25]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Payments (1 May 2025)

Louise O'Reilly: While I am aware the Department does not use child maintenance as a criterion by which to assess, it is alone in that regard. It is incredibly hit and miss across local authorities. Some count it whereas others do not. Does the Minister agree that child maintenance is for children and should not be considered as part of means tests for essential supports for adults and families? I hope...