Results 3,121-3,140 of 3,241 for speaker:Brian Ó Domhnaill

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: There are 7,800 resource and learning support teachers compared with approximately 2,000 in 1998, an almost 300% increase in the number of teachers in mainstream schools supporting children with special educational needs. Some 1,100 other teachers are in our special schools supporting children while hundreds more work in special classes. How much time remains?

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The full implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 is being deferred.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is being deferred. Many sections of the Act have commenced, including those——

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: ——promoting an inclusive approach to the education of children with special needs and those establishing the National Council for Special Education.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I thank the Cathaoirleach and apologise, but I wish to make one point. Resource teachers and special needs assistants will continue to be deployed to meet the needs of children with special educational needs at primary and post-primary levels. Children will continue to receive an education appropriate to their needs and it is important to point out that there are no changes to current...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" and substitute the following: "—recognises that the Government has very tangibly demonstrated its commitment to people with a disability, and that people with a disability continue to be a priority for this Government; notes the greatly increased funding base for disability services that has been built up over recent years,...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, who has responsibility for the office for disability and mental health and who exercises additional responsibilities in the Departments of Health and Children, Education and Science, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I acknowledge the work he has done since he took up office. He has been to the fore in...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I am entitled to make a contribution and I would like the opportunity to do so.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I do not interrupt Members very often.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I welcome the debate on the budget later this afternoon and on the Finance Bill when that comes to the House. It would be remiss of me if I did not mention the budget in light of comments made by Senators on the Opposition side. I welcome the budget, which was a brave and decisive step taken by the Minister for Finance in challenging economic times. If an alternative Government had been in...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I refer to this because it was referred to by the Opposition. This figure is approximately——

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It was an additional spend proposed by the Fine Gael Party which would have incurred an additional cost of €10,000 per annum per taxpayer.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: If that had been adopted, the Irish people would have been in a grave situation today.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I welcome and call for a debate on the schools building programme. I welcome the additional allocation of €75 million announced in yesterday's budget. It will assist primary, secondary and third level educational development. There is an opportunity to seek value for money in schools building projects for the years ahead. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Education and Science to...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I call for a debate on the fishing industry. We were to have a debate prior to the recess in the summer. My colleague from Cork, Senator O'Donovan, is anxious to have this debate. Not only should we consider salmon and sea fishermen but also inland fishermen, especially those along the River Foyle in the Lifford and St. Johnston areas who find themselves in a distressing position. I call...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I am glad to have the opportunity to refer to a number of educational projects in my area that are being considered by the Department at present. Each board of management and parent group is anxiously awaiting a positive decision thereon. There was a very interesting debate on education this evening. I particularly welcomed the comments by the Minister to the effect that he intends to...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: This Bill will improve services and delivery and give effect to the programme of social housing reform. These are outlined in the Developing Homes, Sustaining Communities document, a policy document published in February 2007 by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It updates provisions in previous legislation and replaces nine housing Acts from 1966 to 2004....

Seanad: Energy Policy: Motion. (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Ba mhaith liom ar dtús báire buíochas a thabhairt don Aire Stáit as a bheith anseo linn tráthnóna. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, for his contribution to what has been a good debate on what is being done trying to move away from our dependence on fossil fuels and non-renewable energy sources to renewable energy sources. The Opposition may have its views but when...

Seanad: Energy Policy: Motion. (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I second the motion. Given the ever increasing cost of energy, this is one of the most important issues faced by Ireland and the world. Anyone who drives to a service station to fill the tank of a car, jeep or bus cannot but notice the difference in price compared to six months ago. Energy is all around us and is needed for the growth or formation of almost everything. There are many...

Seanad: Energy Policy: Motion. (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: That is very good of Senator O'Reilly.