Results 181-200 of 7,638 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Recruitment and Retention of Special Needs Assistants: Discussion (24 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: What will come out of that? Ultimately, it is not-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Recruitment and Retention of Special Needs Assistants: Discussion (24 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: There is a major issue and difference in terms of the criteria that apply in the context of sanctioning SNAs for schools and the work they are doing in real terms - a lot of preventative work and supporting children in addition to assisting with primary care needs. There is an indication the Department is open to a wider definition of the role. Is that the case? Specifically related to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Recruitment and Retention of Special Needs Assistants: Discussion (24 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I apologise for interrupting but maybe with the time left to me this might be a helpful way to address it. I am making the case that there is an unmet need in schools at present. Ms Corcoran is saying that the Department is looking at an expanded definition of the role of an SNA. Has any analysis been conducted on what the actual workforce should look like in this State if we introduce an...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (24 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 14. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the rationale for the proposed changes to driving learner permits (details supplied; if there is evidence that points to the benefit of treating learner drivers who have not passed their test after 7 years as beginners; if the potential cost-implications of this for those on low incomes has been considered; and if he will make a...

School Transport: Statements (23 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important subject. This year is not just another episode in a long-running saga of Government failure on school transport. This year represents a new low. In addition to the usual annual debacle, never before have we had the situation on such a scale where tickets were issued and routes confirmed but, at the eleventh hour, in some cases the day...

Education (Affordable School Uniforms) Bill 2025: First Stage (23 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to make provision whereby the Minister for Education shall make regulations governing the implementation of an affordable school uniform policy in schools; and for this purpose, to amend the Education Act 1998. I welcome the opportunity to introduce the Education (Affordable School Uniforms) Bill 2025 along with...

Education (Affordable School Uniforms) Bill 2025: First Stage (23 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence and Children and Young People: Discussion (23 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank both witnesses and the Chair.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence and Children and Young People: Discussion (23 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I am. I thank the Chair and the witnesses. I have been listening in. I have a question for Mr. McWeeney and for Ms Lynch from the National Parents Council. Picking up on the piece on AI in education, Fionn gave an example in terms of how he uses AI for cramming before exams. There are some concerns with the leaving certificate reform that people will not use it just for studying...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence and Children and Young People: Discussion (23 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I am, and I thank the witnesses. I have been listening in. To pick up on the running issue of regulation and specifically in relation to the recommender algorithms, I will start with CyberSafeKids and then anyone else can come in on it. Does CyberSafeKids have recommendations of specific actions? Does it require legislation? Is it regulation? Can Ireland act on its own or does it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence and Children and Young People: Discussion (23 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I presume these are restrictions that can be made at the flick of a switch, literally, by the social media and tech companies at their end.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence and Children and Young People: Discussion (23 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: We have looked to Australia. There is an argument against that kind of blunt ban. Are there places that use this more targeted and nuanced approach?

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Early Childhood Care and Education (23 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 71. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures she is taking to address the shortage of childcare places in County Meath; when she will deliver on the Programme for Government commitment to provide State-owned services where gaps exist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49706/25]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Disabilities Assessments (23 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 87. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the waiting lists for assessments of needs in CDNTs in County Meath; the way in which the waiting lists in 2025 compares to 2023 and 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49707/25]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (23 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 175. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he is taking to protect motorcyclists on our roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49930/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Schooling (23 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 287. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures being taken to ensure that students educated at home have equal access to the newly implemented additional assessment component in the first tranche of subjects, namely biology, physics, chemistry and business which is 40% of their leaving certificate exam. [49859/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Schooling (23 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 288. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which the newly implemented additional assessment component for the first tranche of subjects will affect students taught at home; and the oversight will be provided to ensure fairness and equity for these students undertaking their studies outside of the traditional school environment. [49860/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Disabilities Assessments (23 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 296. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures being taken to ensure that the statutory timeframes for assessments of need under the Disability Act 2005, and obligations under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004, are aligned with school placement deadlines, in order that children with additional needs are not excluded from education in breach of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Disabilities Assessments (23 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 297. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which it is acceptable that a child (details supplied), red-flagged for developmental concerns since the age of two, whose family had to go to court to secure access to therapy and an educational report, was left waiting almost two years for a cognitive assessment only to be informed too late to apply for a special class and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (23 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 304. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the extension of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50006/25]