Results 181-200 of 7,634 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

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]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (23 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 305. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when funding will be made available for repairs to prefabs at a school (details supplied) while they wait for their new extension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50007/25]

Migration: Statements (18 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: For too long Government policy on migration has been a story of reaction, crisis and abdication of duty. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have allowed our system to be dictated by profiteers and unchecked market forces, utterly failing communities and those seeking protection alike. Our international protection system, for example, is not fit for purpose. Decisions and appeals still take far...

Special Education School Places: Motion [Private Members] (17 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I want to start my concluding remarks by saying that some of the utterances from Deputy Danny Healy-Rae were ignorant, ill-informed, insensitive, offensive and disgusting. He should withdraw them. They represent the height of ignorance. The debate, otherwise, was important. It is incredibly frustrating. I say that on my behalf and on behalf of anyone with an interest in this matter....

Special Education School Places: Motion [Private Members] (17 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I mentioned FUSS Ireland and the Equality in Education group, but across the length and breadth of this State, parents are fighting for their children. That should be leveraged. The Minister of State should work with them and deliver for them.