Results 4,061-4,080 of 4,197 for speaker:Pádraig O'Sullivan

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

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I thank the Chair. I was letting Deputy Cahill know that many of my questions overlap his so if he hangs on, he may get some clarification. I welcome the Minister. She has had a tough brief since she was elevated and that needs to be acknowledged. She has done sterling work, despite all the criticism that the Department has received in the media and so on. The main motivation has been...

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

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I thank all the members of the HSE. I have only five minutes and want to run through a number of questions. On the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, will the HSE be encouraging or recommending that patients who are travelling to the North for appointments or operations should continue to do so? What advice is the HSE explicitly giving to those patients?

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

Pádraig O'Sullivan: That is fine. Given the unpredictable yet devastating impacts of the Covid pandemic, is the HSE considering a backup plan for the winter months in the event of a second wave so as to allow services to resume as close to normal as possible? Linked to that question and specifically in respect of cancer patients, if there are future outbreaks of Covid-19 that might be worsened at the height of...

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

Pádraig O'Sullivan: My final question relates to testing in respect of meat processing plants and direct provision centres. The latest update provided by the HSE is that this process has commenced. Can Mr. Reid confirm that the process is under way and, if so, can he provide further details on it?

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

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I begin by commending the work of NPHET and all its members in recent months, it is much appreciated. First, on meat factories and plants, there is a village in my constituency, Watergrasshill, with a meat factory where there were 120 cases some weeks back. I seek clarity on the HSA inspections. They seem to be mostly pre-announced rather than random inspections. Why is that? Will that...

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

Pádraig O'Sullivan: It was on the meat plants, the testing therein and the matter of random versus pre-announced inspections.

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

Pádraig O'Sullivan: That is fine.

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

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I will give it to Deputy McAuliffe.

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

Pádraig O'Sullivan: Five should be sufficient. I welcome the Minister's attendance to answer our questions. I have a number of queries, which I will keep brief, as I am interested in hearing the answers. Recently, we came across the omission of post offices, credit unions and banks from regulations on face coverings. I assume that this relates to security concerns at such facilities. Will the Minister...

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

Pádraig O'Sullivan: At present, many of those tests seem to be prearranged or preannounced, as opposed to random testing. Will this practice change or will it continue?

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

Pádraig O'Sullivan: Sorry, I mean to ask about randomised inspections.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Staff (30 Jul 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: Another issue arising with the introduction of these new posts is the timeline for the completion of training. It is welcome that induction training is to be provided to school staff ahead of reopening. Where that training is due to take place and in schools where teachers have just started in new posts, there is likely to be a period where they will have to adjust or acclimatise to their...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Staff (30 Jul 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: 7. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to address the shortage of teachers in post-primary schools. [19324/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Staff (30 Jul 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: The Minister and I were both formerly schoolteachers and we understand the challenges in terms of teacher shortages in education. This is a problem that predates Covid and the plan to reopen schools in September. I welcome the recent announcement the Minister made regarding 1,080 additional teachers for post-primary schools. Will she provide the House with details on how these posts will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Staff (30 Jul 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: The shortage of teachers has a dramatic knock-on effect on students, teachers and the whole education system. Lack of sufficient qualified teachers and staff instability threaten students' ability to learn and reduce teachers' effectiveness. Teacher shortages at post-primary level need to be tackled in the context of growing student numbers. Every year as principals scramble to fill posts...

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

Pádraig O'Sullivan: 62. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to reduce the burden placed on parents through voluntary contributions. [19323/20]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Driver Licensing Service (30 Jul 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: 204. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the National Driver Licence Service will only accept credit or debit card payment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19809/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (28 Jul 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: 936. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18164/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (23 Jul 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: 24. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to increase the supply of affordable housing in County Cork. [17636/20]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (23 Jul 2020)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: 69. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to provide reforms for those on social housing waiting lists in order that those living near the borders of local authorities have access to a wider choice of lettings near the location they live. [17637/20]