Results 2,221-2,240 of 5,825 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Business of Joint Committee (12 Mar 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I remind members to please turn off their mobile phones. Apologies have been received from Deputy Thomas Byrne and Senators Robbie Gallagher and Lynn Ruane. We will go into private session. The joint committee went into private session at 3.37 p.m and resumed in public session at 3.53 p.m.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Delivery of Services for Students with Down’s Syndrome: Discussion (12 Mar 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones or to switch them to flight mode. Mobiles phones interfere with the sound system and make it difficult for the parliamentary reporters to report the meeting. Television coverage and web streaming will also be adversely affected. We have reached the sixth item on our agenda which is engagement with stakeholders on the delivery...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Delivery of Services for Students with Down’s Syndrome: Discussion (12 Mar 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I invite Mr. Ward to make his opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Delivery of Services for Students with Down’s Syndrome: Discussion (12 Mar 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mr. Ward for his presentation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Delivery of Services for Students with Down’s Syndrome: Discussion (12 Mar 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Commencement of the provisions of the EPSEN Act can only be implemented by the Minister, not by officials within the Department. I wish to make it clear that it is a political decision that must be made as opposed a decision made by the Department because it can only follow the policy of the Minister.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Delivery of Services for Students with Down’s Syndrome: Discussion (12 Mar 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Well said.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Delivery of Services for Students with Down’s Syndrome: Discussion (12 Mar 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mr. Ward for the clarification.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Delivery of Services for Students with Down’s Syndrome: Discussion (12 Mar 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Senator has put his finger on the pulse for all of us in everything that he has said. This is something that I feel very deeply and passionately about. I have personal and professional experience in the area. I have a much-loved brother with Down's syndrome. I was a primary school teacher and will always remember a situation that arose before anyone had heard of July provision,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Delivery of Services for Students with Down’s Syndrome: Discussion (12 Mar 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mr. Kelly. That was enlightening.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Delivery of Services for Students with Down’s Syndrome: Discussion (12 Mar 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We are not being critical of those who were appointed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Delivery of Services for Students with Down’s Syndrome: Discussion (12 Mar 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I just wanted to make that clear. I genuinely acknowledge the excellent work teachers do in this area. I get to witness it on an ongoing basis. The compassion, understanding and commitment of the teachers for special needs students in our schools is excellent. I will give the final word to Mr. Ward.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Delivery of Services for Students with Down’s Syndrome: Discussion (12 Mar 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I think that was a very informative engagement. The committee will discuss this further and will issue a report and recommendations. It is important that we consider writing directly to the Minister, both to look for a meeting on this and to address other policy issues which we feel it is important to engage on. I thank stakeholders for giving us their time, experience and expertise this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (6 Mar 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 54. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for issuing the building for a school (details supplied) to tender again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10870/19]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (6 Mar 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 42. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if all school buildings planned will be delayed due to the pre-qualification process review of a school (details supplied) following a recent court case. [10871/19]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (6 Mar 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 247. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11093/19]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (6 Mar 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 248. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the national broadband plan tender progress; when all homes and businesses in County Kildare will have access to high speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11094/19]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Railway Stations (6 Mar 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 269. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the parking infrastructure planned for Newbridge train station, County Kildare, to match the increase in service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11091/19]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Fares (6 Mar 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 270. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 641 of 12 February 2019, if the free InterRail travel will include students who are 19, 20, 21 and 22 years of age and not only those aged 18 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11092/19]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Costs (28 Feb 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 14. To ask the Minister for Finance when the working group on the cost of insurance will complete its work. [9926/19]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (27 Feb 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 19. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he is taking to encourage returning Irish emigrants. [9681/19]