Results 21-40 of 133 for speaker:Sarah O'Reilly

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Engagement on Matters Relating to Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (9 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I thank the witnesses for coming in today. I agree with Deputy Guirke that they do great work I also thank Ms Tighe for giving her testimony. It is sad that people in her situation have to fight so hard for everything that they get. Carers generally do not have the energy or time to put in that fight. One of the issues I have is that women - it is primarily women - are being judged...

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Engagement on Matters Relating to Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (9 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: Sorry, I did not hear that. How much?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Engagement on Matters Relating to Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (9 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I mentioned the back to school allowance, which should be attached to the child based on the costings Ms Hasson provided. Is the number of people offering foster care reducing?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: A few days ago, the Department of justice confirmed a plan to move over 2,000 people out of their accommodation. These people have been granted asylum but are still stuck in IPAS accommodation. They will be sent to emergency homeless accommodation instead. This new Government plan is causing chaos around the country, with county councils refusing to co-operate because they do not have beds...

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy: Statements (8 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I thank the Minister of State for coming here and wish her the best of luck because it is not for the faint-hearted. Between 2011 and 2023, 1,410 babies were born addicted to drugs in this country. This is a sad statistic. It shows how early addiction can start for some. Other statistics released to Aontú after parliamentary questions show that in the past ten years, there have...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: On 30 June, the Irish Independent published the result of its investigation into the regulation of how sick certs are issued. There are serious limitations to telemedicine and areas where it can be exploited. The newspaper revealed that in some cases sick certs were issued without having any phone or video consultation with the patient. It has correctly been described as a bit of a wild...

Seanad: EU Regulations: Motions (3 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I welcome the Minister. Reading through the proposed motions, the first thing that struck me was that we could have been doing this all along ourselves and, indeed, we have been doing it to an extent. Ireland should not have opted into the EU migration pact when we have the full capability to govern and legislate on migration ourselves. Now, we find ourselves in the scenario where we will...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I wish to express my deep concern over the European Union's attempts to enforce hate speech legislation on Ireland, legislation that would undermine our national sovereignty, erode free expression and impose a one-size-fits-all model out of step with our Constitution. Before the general election, the Government suddenly recognised its lack of popularity among the general public and removed...

Seanad: Sea Fisheries: Statements (2 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I welcome Deputy Dooley’s new Ministry and wish him the best of luck in his work. There is much to be done. The marine sector in this country has faced unbelievable challenges in recent years. Many of these hardships have been the direct result of Government policy and legislation and the implementation and interpretation of those policies and that legislation. Ongoing...

Seanad: Sea Fisheries: Statements (2 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: The penalty points. We are an outlier in Europe.

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (2 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I support the Bill and the amendment. I commend Senator Ryan on her powerful testimony. The report from Women's Aid makes for difficult reading. More women contacted the organisation last year than ever before. I have been reading the details of the report and they are shocking. I agree with this amendment in that if children are present that factor should be considered when the sentence...

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Rural and Community Development Matters: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (2 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I thank the Minister very much for attending today. I read his statement, and I would like to give the Minister a little bit of feedback on some of the schemes, although I know he has not asked for it. The rural regeneration development fund, RRDF, is an excellent scheme and excellent work is going on throughout the country. The level and quality of the projects that are going on are very...

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Rural and Community Development Matters: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (2 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I am hoping that scheme can be rolled out. May I ask one more question?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Rural and Community Development Matters: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (2 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: No.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Rural and Community Development Matters: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (2 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I want something noted about the community centre investment fund, which is really good. It sounds like the Minister is getting really good value for money with the figures he mentioned. Was it €33 million?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Rural and Community Development Matters: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (2 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: As am I. Will it be continued?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Rural and Community Development Matters: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (2 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: That is an excellent scheme.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Rural and Community Development Matters: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (2 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: My last question is for the Minister of State and concerns the Charities Regulator. I am aware of an organisation looking for charity status which has been in the process for seven years. Has the regulator a full complement of staff? Is there a backlog in processing applications?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Rural and Community Development Matters: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (2 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: Does it have its full complement of staff?