Results 3,001-3,020 of 4,884 for speaker:Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Has Ms Dempsey come across cases of parents who do not have transport using taxis to get children to school? I am working on a few cases in the disability sector where bus services have been cut and some of the affected families do not have a car. This is becoming a big issue because these families must use a taxi, which they cannot afford. Are the Department and the NPCPP trying to come...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I am dealing with a case where a child with a disability who had a place on a bus last year cannot get a place this year. As Ms Dempsey said, that service should be free. It seems there are one or two cases slipping through the net this year.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Are the votes taking place now?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I know that these hard times are very challenging. We addressed representatives of the teaching unions this morning and I brought up the following matter which I think is important. The Minister reached an agreement that three primary substitute teachers will be available for every 12 schools across towns in the country. In the likely event that the three substitute teachers are already...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: My concerns are about rural towns and counties. My daughter is the school principal in Myshall. That school did not make the panel so it, and other rural schools like it, must look for substitute teachers. A panel was not put in place for them and the Minister might look at that issue in the long term. The Minister also spoke about the minor works programme. Her announcement that...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: State Response to Recent Spike in Covid-19 Cases (26 Aug 2020)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Is the HSE considering saliva tests for schoolchildren? When will that be done? It is so important for children in particular. I ask Mr. Reid to revert to the committee with a timescale for that to be done. As he knows, children are going back to school. We do not wish to be back here in four months' time and the HSE to still be considering that measure. It is important that Mr. Reid...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: State Response to Recent Spike in Covid-19 Cases (26 Aug 2020)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I ask that written answers be provided to my other questions, particularly that relating to the timescale for testing. It is becoming a significant concern. Many Deputies are being contacted regarding cases where this is an issue. It is so important. Testing and tracing is the only solution to deal with the spikes that are occurring, particularly in light of the fact that children are...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: State Response to Recent Spike in Covid-19 Cases (26 Aug 2020)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: We need to do a lot more testing. My concern would be that we are not doing enough testing. I thank the witnesses and I will raise my concerns again at the next session.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: State Response to Recent Spike in Covid-19 Cases (Resumed) (26 Aug 2020)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I am sharing time with Deputy Lawless. I pay tribute to all our health professionals, as I did during the earlier session with the witnesses from the HSE. It has been a very trying time during which the focus has been on protecting lives. We, as Members of the Oireachtas, have to be very careful that we put people's health and lives first. As we head into the cold and flu season, there is...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: State Response to Recent Spike in Covid-19 Cases (Resumed) (26 Aug 2020)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister. Are we conducting random testing at our airports and are we considering random testing in schools? This is very important now with all our schools going back in the next few weeks. It is welcome that the Dáil is sitting next week but I am asking the Minister about legislation. Over the past few months, we have seen that the Garda did not have any legislation to...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: The Situation in Meat Processing Plants (13 Aug 2020)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank all the witnesses for being present. I will ask the questions first and then get the answers. What measures are being taken to address the fact that some workers are without a PPS number, which holds them back from claiming the Covid payment? How many staff have received full payment from MII members while self-isolating for Covid reasons? How many staff of MII members receive...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: The Situation in Meat Processing Plants (13 Aug 2020)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Yes, MII.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jul 2020)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I want to raise the same issue. Yesterday, the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Anne Rabbitte, met the Enough is Enough group, which is campaigning for services for adults and children with disabilities. It was very moving to hear from families who have really been affected by the strain and stress of the past few months. Many of them feel they have had no support. I...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (30 Jul 2020)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: 684. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost to restore the standard capitation rate for pupils in primary schools to €200 which was the rate in 2010 prior to cuts; and her views on whether this is a diminishing cost in view of the falling enrolments in primary schools. [20299/20]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Post-Leaving Certificate Courses (30 Jul 2020)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: 686. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if post-leaving certificate students prohibited from undertaking practical exams due to Covid-19 restrictions are to be graded under a predicted grade system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20399/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (30 Jul 2020)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: 1443. To ask the Minister for Health if ionafornid treatment in the rare disease progeria will be licensed here; if the State will be providing the financial burden of hospitals providing such treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20964/20]

Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No. 2) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jul 2020)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I also want to speak about musicians and artists. Ireland is known for its music and song, which are part of our tradition. We are very proud of that tradition when we go to America or elsewhere abroad. I am very concerned that we do not have any supports in that area. We need to address this and give support to people who have worked and paid taxes all their lives. Through no fault of...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jul 2020)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I also welcome the package for the reopening of schools. It is very important. One of the biggest issues relates to social distancing for students in third to sixth class. That has become a big issue and many schools have contacted me in that regard. The Minister has asked all schools at what stage any planning applications they have made are. The Taoiseach will know that there are about...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme (29 Jul 2020)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: 72. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to make rent supplement more easily available to victims of domestic violence. [18973/20]

Residential Tenancies and Valuation Bill 2020: Second Stage (28 Jul 2020)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I wish the Minister well in his new role. We have very challenging times ahead. While I welcome the extension of the rent freeze and ban on evictions, we need to take time to future-proof the rental sector. We need to take a long-term view of what criteria are used to evict tenants. We also need to encourage small landlords back into the system and protect vulnerable tenants. Some...