Results 221-240 of 4,073 for speaker:Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Topical Issue Debate: Protected Disclosures (10 Jul 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The Department is not aware of any specific instance where the record of the Committee of Public Accounts needs to be amended arising from anything stated by an official of the Department or the HEA on 24 May.

Topical Issue Debate: Protected Disclosures (10 Jul 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: May I finish? It is a matter for the representatives of CIT to determine whether there is a need to correct any statement they made at the meeting.

Topical Issue Debate: Protected Disclosures (10 Jul 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Deputy Alan Kelly, Deputy John McGuinness and Deputy Marc MacSharry for raising this issue. The Deputies will be aware that the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 provides a detailed and comprehensive legal framework to allow any worker who is penalised for making a protected disclosure to secure redress. The Act is supplemented by the procedures that all public bodies are required...

Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (27 Jun 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I absolutely hear what the Deputy is saying. I was a principal for 16 or 17 years and I do not know any principal who would leave the school at the end of this week and go off until September. I know hundreds of principals around the country and they work during the summer holidays. I thank the principals for the work. I do not foresee the issue the Deputy mentioned. I believe people...

Topical Issue Debate: Student Grant Scheme Administration (27 Jun 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Deputy Penrose for raising this important matter. In 2017, the Department of Education and Skills allocated more than €400 million in access measures to assist students from under-represented groups to participate in and complete higher education. It is anticipated that the student grant scheme will benefit circa 80,000 students in 2017-18. The principal support provided...

Topical Issue Debate: Student Grant Scheme Administration (27 Jun 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The Department also provides funding for the student assistance fund. This fund is available in various publicly funded higher education institutions. The student assistance fund provides financial assistance to students experiencing financial difficulties while attending third level. Students can be assisted towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books and class...

Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (27 Jun 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Under the assistive technology scheme, as set out in my Department's circular on the matter, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment that are required for educational purposes. As the Deputy will be aware, equipment is provided under this scheme for children with more complex disabilities who, to...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Citizenship Applications (26 Jun 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I have taken notes on the person's position. I apologise for the absence of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan. I cannot comment on individual cases. However, I am happy to set out the position generally in respect of the processing of applications for citizenship. The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, sets out the law governing Irish citizenship...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Citizenship Applications (26 Jun 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: It must be remembered that Irish citizenship is a great privilege and naturalisation is a privilege and not a right. The Minister is under no obligation to grant a certificate of naturalisation. As already stated, the onus is on the applicant to disclose in his or her application all appropriate information and evidence to demonstrate that he or she satisfies the conditions for a...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Student Accommodation (26 Jun 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I have met and spoken with the students' union in Dublin City University, DCU, and NUIG, where there were particular problems during the last term. To answer the Senator's question, student accommodation is being built. At the end of May last, 2,990 student bed spaces had been completed since the launch of the Rebuilding Ireland report. Nationally, there are 7,070 student bed spaces...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Student Accommodation (26 Jun 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: No.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Student Accommodation (26 Jun 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: First, I reiterate that the RPZ restrictions do not apply to student accommodation. Second, we must make sure that any solution proposed is constitutional, robust, does not have any unintended consequences and can withstand scrutiny from different perspectives, including those of owners and students.

Topical Issue Debate: School Patronage (19 Jun 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The Department has been contacted by some of the parties but has indicated this is a matter for the patron. I take the Deputy's point that he is asking the Minister to meet Archbishop Martin and obtain from him the request necessary for a transfer of patronage to take place. The Department has indicated it would review positively any request to transfer patronage in this case.

Topical Issue Debate: School Patronage (19 Jun 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it gives me an opportunity on behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Richard Bruton, to set out for the DáiI the position on voluntary reassignment of patronage under section 8 of the Education Act 1998. As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister has announced new plans aimed at accelerating the provision of...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Home Care Packages (13 Jun 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Senator Burke. The first part of my answer on behalf of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, will deal with the Senator's question as tabled. I will also address the second part of his question, regarding the day-based system versus the hour-based system. The main social welfare schemes for jobseekers are the jobseeker’s allowance...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Home Care Packages (13 Jun 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I will.

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (12 Jun 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: He never has a point.

Topical Issue Debate: Educational Supports (30 May 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I am taking this debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Richard Bruton. I apologise on his behalf as he cannot be present owing to a prior commitment. I will, however, make sure to convey to him the matters raised in the debate. I know Lisdoonvarna very well. Education provision on an inclusive basis is a fundamental principle of the education and...

Topical Issue Debate: Educational Supports (30 May 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The school recently applied to the independent staffing appeals board for a teaching post in English and has been granted an additional half post. Should it receive more enrolments in September, the board of management can apply again in October for further support. The school has also applied for an additional post based on its developing status. A decision on this application will be...

Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (30 May 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: It is pretty positive.