Results 24,501-24,520 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Risks to Mental Health of Pregnant Women: Professor Veronica O'Keane (25 Oct 2017)

Bernard Durkan: I knew the Chairman would and I thank her. Not all European countries have similar unrestricted access to abortion facilities. The UK is one of the least restrictive, in comparison to Germany, where there is fairly extensive counselling before and after. I would like Professor O'Keane's comments on this. My final point, among many, is if a woman has a miscarriage, very often she requires...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Termination Arising From Rape: Mr. Tom O'Malley, NUI Galway; Dublin Rape Crisis Centre; and Dr. Maeve Eogan, Rotunda Hospital (25 Oct 2017)

Bernard Durkan: I acknowledge the work done by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre over many decades in providing help, support, advice and counselling to women in very distressed situations who have often been brutalised and may have been thrown out of their homes, raped or both and may be pregnant. That should be acknowledged at the outset. The question I want to raise relates to the under-reporting of rape and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Termination in Cases of Foetal Abnormality: Termination for Medical Reasons Ireland (25 Oct 2017)

Bernard Durkan: We need to acknowledge the importance of the witnesses' words to the committee in highlighting these issues, which, to passers-by and those not directly affected, are not issues at all but which have an impact on those who are directly affected in a way the witnesses have described very adequately. We have all in our various lifetimes had similar brushes with the same experiences. It serves...

Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Oct 2017)

Bernard Durkan: The Central Bank consolidation Bill has been promised for a considerable time. Would it be possible to lay it before the House with some urgency, given the need to introduce a new code of conduct affecting third party bankers who have taken over many of the banks' distressed loans and are putting extraordinary pressure on borrowers, including through the repossession of family homes?

Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Oct 2017)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Taoiseach.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of Children's Health Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Bernard Durkan: I will start with the safety issue. I congratulate all involved in bringing the children's hospital to the level it has arrived at. It is as a result of the dedication of everybody, including the Department of Health and the board, that it has been successfully brought to this stage. I offer my good wishes for the rest of it as well. I will address the question of safety. I am a bit...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Funding (25 Oct 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 92. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the funding of third level education in the future, with particular reference to student fees; his further plans on the specific nature in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45007/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Funding (25 Oct 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 137. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which the issue of higher education grants can be resolved in order to ensure that all those wishing to avail of a third level education have the means to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45256/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Costs (25 Oct 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 138. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which higher education costs have increased over the past number of years; the extent to which the proportion of the national budget under that heading has varied in the past ten years; his plans to ensure continued access to third level for all students seeking to avail of third level education; and if he will make a statement...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Expenditure (25 Oct 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 139. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which he remains confident that investment in education and the sciences at all levels will continue to be available in the future having particular regard to the need for excellence in the face of growing competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45258/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (25 Oct 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 140. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address the concerns of the fourth level education sector in view of the increasing importance of achieving the highest level of qualification and an ability to compete effectively internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45259/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (25 Oct 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 141. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he remains confident that Ireland's education system at preschool, primary, second, third and fourth levels remain poised to ensure an educational system on par with the best internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45260/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Recruitment (25 Oct 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 142. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the number of extra teachers likely to become available at primary and second level in 2017 will beneficially impact on pupil teacher ratios throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45261/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Recruitment (25 Oct 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 145. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the number of extra teachers likely to become available at primary and second level in 2017 will beneficially impact on pupil teacher ratios throughout County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45264/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (25 Oct 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 143. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which special needs places remain available at primary and second level in all schools throughout the country; the areas most under pressure in this regard to date; his plans to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45262/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (25 Oct 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 144. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which special needs places remain available at primary and second level in all schools throughout County Kildare; the areas most under pressure in this regard to date; his plans to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45263/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (25 Oct 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 146. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which places to facilitate children with autism at primary and second level remain available throughout County Kildare; the areas in respect of which the greatest demand exists to date; the expectation to meet this demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45265/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (25 Oct 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 147. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the number of special needs assistants required at primary and second level throughout County Kildare is being met and likely to be improved throughout 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45266/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (25 Oct 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 148. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which adequate provision is being made to meet the full extent of primary and second level school requirements in Celbridge, County Kildare; the provisions already in place and contemplated; if the provisions already made remain adequate to meet the demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45267/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (25 Oct 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 149. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which adequate provision is being made to meet the full extent of primary and second level school requirements in Naas, County Kildare; the provisions already in place and contemplated; if the provisions already made remain adequate to meet the demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45268/17]