Results 3,021-3,040 of 6,188 for speaker:Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs (1 Dec 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: It is very positive that additional ASD units are being opened in schools across the State. Undoubtedly, we need many more. The demand for units is constantly growing. However, my question focuses on the fact that while those units fulfil a very important role, they are not suitable for everyone. I am concerned that we are not building enough special schools and that there may be some...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs (1 Dec 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I agree with every word of that response but the key part that we need to drill into is the part that says where it is assessed that it is not possible or suitable for a child to be educated in such a unit and that they have a greater or different need. Generally, that relates to special schools. There is concern among those involved in special schools and in units that there is resistance...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs (1 Dec 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I am aware of much of that. Some positive things are happening in the special education sphere in Cork albeit that it is coming from one of the lowest bases. It is in a very challenging place even compared with other parts of the country. The Minister of State mentioned greenfield sites. Some special schools are in buildings that are just not fit for purpose. They need a greenfield site...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Equipment (1 Dec 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 25. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if specific, revised guidance will be provided on ventilation in the winter months; and if she will be providing additional funding to schools for the purchase of air monitoring systems and to make up for additional heating costs. [39970/20]

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Equipment (1 Dec 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: It has become very clear from the science in recent months that ventilation is one of the key factors in tackling Covid-19. At this time of year, with the Irish winter, the cold is becoming very significant. That is not as much of an issue for some modern schools and school buildings as it is for schools with older buildings. Principals are having to make difficult choices with limited or...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Equipment (1 Dec 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: That is an interesting reply and there is much in it to consider. I would make one point, of which I am sure the Minister is very aware as principals certainly raise it with me. I am aware of the updated guidance but it is still the case that windows must be open, although the guidance states the times and extent to which that should be done. Older buildings, examples of which the Minister...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Equipment (1 Dec 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: The Minister said that an air monitor does not increase the temperature of a room but only shows when the windows need to be open. By extension, it also shows when the windows do not need to be open, which would be very useful to many schools that are trying to manage the situation and ensure the welfare of the children in their care, by protecting them from Covid and other types of illness....

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Dec 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: The Taoiseach will have received correspondence in recent days from survivors of the mother and baby homes and their relatives in Bessborough, County Cork, many of whom are very concerned, particularly in light of the fact that the report has not been published, about the fact that there are plans to proceed with, or applications for planning on, a site that has not been fully investigated....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (1 Dec 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 47. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a guarantee will be given that the intimate role of special needs assistants, SNAs, is acknowledged and that SNAs who require medical grade masks will be provided with same. [39976/20]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: DEIS Scheme (1 Dec 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 84. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if all DEIS band 1 schools will be included in the one-point reduction in the pupil teacher ratio promised in budget 2021. [39975/20]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (1 Dec 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 77. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration is being given to expanding choice in the 2021 leaving certificate exams further; if she is considering additional measures to mitigate the difficult preparation that these students have had in the run up to their leaving certificate; and when students can expect the contingency plan for leaving certificate 2021 to be released....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (1 Dec 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 106. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether many private bus operators are operating at 50% capacity on their school services in line with the recommendations of her Department; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this has come at a significant cost that has been passed on to parents; and if her Department will intervene to provide these private...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (1 Dec 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 408. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when parents can expect to receive payments under the school transport grant. [40026/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances (1 Dec 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 763. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the release of the findings of the review of the FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring system undertaken by his Department in 2019; and if he will consider extending the availability of the FreeStyle Libre to all persons with type 1 diabetes [40375/20]

Mental Health Parity of Esteem Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Nov 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: May I ask how much time I have so that I can adjust my comments accordingly?

Mental Health Parity of Esteem Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Nov 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I will try not to speak for too long. The Minister of State has provided the World Health Organization's definition of health, which is not simply the absence of disease or a condition. Whatever about the World Health Organization's definition, the reality in our communities and in our health service is that there is not parity of esteem at this point in time. We have to recognise that a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (24 Nov 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I thank the Minister for being here to take this Topical Issue matter. She will be aware of the burden falling on principals at the moment and of the additional pressures Covid has put on them right across the board, in primary schools, post-primary schools, special schools and so on. Consider those principals who are managing everything connected to Covid, managing the ordinary running of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (24 Nov 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I appreciate what the Minister said but I hoped there might be something more positive. Perhaps in her response she might give an indication of that. I raise this issue in a spirit of trying to see if we can find a solution to it. It is not a huge cohort of schools but where an issue arises in a unit or in terms of the significant number of staff who are dependent on the principal, it is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (24 Nov 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 494. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the next instalment of the PPE and cleaning grant will issue; if this is the second instalment of two or the second instalment of three; and the amount this instalment of the grant entails. [38153/20]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (24 Nov 2020)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 498. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports in place for private bus operators who are providing school transport now that the 50% capacity rules are in place; and her plans to ensure that the additional cost for doubling the fleet is not borne on the operators themselves and then passed onto parents. [38247/20]