Results 2,461-2,480 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Costs (27 Feb 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister for his continued support of this particular concept and the ability it has to deliver to a wider range of students with wider skills, wider potential and needing wider opportunities. Thus far, is the programme having the results the Minister had expected or anticipated? To what extent can that be furthered?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Costs (27 Feb 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I welcome the progressive nature by which the Minister is proceeding. Does the Minister remain satisfied that the progress to date in investment and in outcomes is likely to continue into the future and that the resources will be available?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Further and Higher Education (27 Feb 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister for his refreshing and informed attitude to the question and the concept. When advanced in years, being almost 100 at the time - he was almost 100 when he died - a student asked Professor Galbraith when he stopped learning. His immediate answer was that he was still learning.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Costs (27 Feb 2024)

Bernard Durkan: 21. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which higher education costs have increased or fluctuated over the past number of years; the extent to which the proportion of the national budget under that heading has varied in the past six years; if continued access to third level education for all students seeking to avail of it will be ensured; and if he will make a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Costs (27 Feb 2024)

Bernard Durkan: This question seeks to ascertain and acknowledge the expenditure on this sector of education over the past number of years, how it is progressing and how the expenditure is succeeding in addressing the issues that need to be addressed in that particular area. Will the Minister make a statement on the matter?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Further and Higher Education (27 Feb 2024)

Bernard Durkan: This is an interesting question in that it proposes to utilise the skills and experience of those previously in the workforce who have learnt through the long road how to deal with the issues that arise. It asks the Minister if he proposes to utilise their skills and abilities in the way that is suggested to empower them possibly for a third age, but for a second age anyway.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Further and Higher Education (27 Feb 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I believe it was John Kenneth Galbraith, the famous American economist, who first thought up this idea. He proved the point that utilising the skills and experience that were already available could reap benefit to the economy tenfold. He did not expect those who were retired to carry out a long day’s work, as they had previously experienced, and he suggested that they should take...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education and Training Provision (27 Feb 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. What advice would he give to industry and businesses of all sizes in the face of the challenges that lie ahead, given the supports that are available through Skillnet?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Policy (27 Feb 2024)

Bernard Durkan: 10. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if Ireland is likely to experience a shortage of graduates in the future within a particular area to meet the demand of the corresponding workforce; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9019/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Policy (27 Feb 2024)

Bernard Durkan: This question is similar to the previous one. Is the Minister satisfied that graduates are coming on stream in sufficient numbers to be able to fill the vacancies in the workforce at all levels and to be able to expand and grow their own interest and knowledge as well?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Policy (27 Feb 2024)

Bernard Durkan: Is the Minister satisfied that the general uptake in the areas of academic and technical skills is sufficient to fill the jobs and vacancies that are likely to appear in the future? Given the level of foreign direct investment in this country, what skills are likely to be required for the foreseeable future?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Policy (27 Feb 2024)

Bernard Durkan: To what extent is the Minister satisfied with the supply of students to third and fourth level from secondary schools in view of the accommodation difficulties that have arisen in some parts of the country? Our population is growing and demand in that area will continue to be high. In that context, is the Minister satisfied that enough is being done to meet the accommodation requirements of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education and Training Provision (27 Feb 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I am asking this question on behalf of Deputy Bruton. Will the Minister outline the extent to which he plans to develop Skillnet Ireland in its capacity to accelerate adaptation to the challenges of sustainability and the digital transformation of business models?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education and Training Provision (27 Feb 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister. To what extent has he been in a position to identify weaknesses within the system and specific areas where business and enterprise might be under pressure to meet the challenges of the future? Does the Minister believe sufficient resources are available to those businesses and to Skillnet Ireland to meet those challenges?

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Feb 2024)

Bernard Durkan: Today I again bring up the issue of the Castletown estate, Celbridge, where there is a stand-off between the local people and the OPW. I make a special appeal to the senior Minister at that Department, who is taking the Order of Business today, to listen please to what the local people are saying. They have no reason at all to prolong any engagement that might be seen to benefit them....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Access to Cash Bill 2024: Discussion (27 Feb 2024)

Bernard Durkan: The minutes of the joint committee's meeting on Wednesday, 21 February 2024 were discussed at our private meeting earlier. Are they agreed? Agreed. In today's first session, the committee will engage with the Department of Finance to begin pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the access to cash Bill 2024. On behalf of the committee, I welcome: Mr. Oliver Gilvarry, assistant...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Access to Cash Bill 2024: Discussion (27 Feb 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I thank Mr. Gilvarry. Does anybody else wish to contribute at this stage? No. I call Deputy Doherty.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Access to Cash Bill 2024: Discussion (27 Feb 2024)

Bernard Durkan: We will have two more speakers and then we will try to bring the discussion to a halt.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Access to Cash Bill 2024: Discussion (27 Feb 2024)

Bernard Durkan: We must move on now, but we can take up this point in the next section anyway.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Access to Cash Bill 2024: Discussion (27 Feb 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I call Deputy Jim O'Callaghan.