Results 4,541-4,560 of 5,087 for speaker:Kathleen Funchion

Topical Issue Debate: Company Closures (30 Jan 2018)

Kathleen Funchion: With the greatest respect, the Minister's reply contained little that will allay fears among the schools in question. The issue of public private partnerships is a debate for a different day as it would not help the schools in question to discuss it now. The projects are at different stages, with some ready to go and staff waiting to be given the keys to the new buildings. These projects...

Topical Issue Debate: Company Closures (30 Jan 2018)

Kathleen Funchion: I am pleased to have the opportunity to discuss this issue. The ability of the collapse of a private company in another jurisdiction two weeks ago to have such an impact on the completion of school buildings in Ireland is, unfortunately, the direct result of public private partnerships. Our schools or other public buildings cannot be at the mercy of public private partnerships going wrong....

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Teachers' Remuneration (30 Jan 2018)

Kathleen Funchion: 186. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the timeframe to act on the issue of pay inequality following the conclusion of the pay review. [4413/18]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (30 Jan 2018)

Kathleen Funchion: 252. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timeframe to end the pay inequality for teachers in view of the fact that we have now had over seven years of same. [4412/18]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (30 Jan 2018)

Kathleen Funchion: 253. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which a position that is contrary to the principle of equal pay for equal work can be justified in view of the fact there is no plan to resolve the pay inequality issue. [4414/18]

Shortage of Teachers: Motion [Private Members] (24 Jan 2018)

Kathleen Funchion: We support this motion and I thank Deputy Byrne for bringing it forward. It is not rocket science to know that teacher shortages are caused by pay inequality. People who qualify as teachers now, having worked hard and probably having taken out a loan, will be on lower pay than those they work beside. On top of that he or she is not going to be able to afford housing, either mortgages or...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Affordable Child Care Scheme and Related Matters: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Kathleen Funchion: I would like to start by acknowledging the work of the Minister in this area and in the context of her portfolio in general. I mean no disrespect to former Ministers, but I think she is the most progressive individual who has worked in this area. I do have a few criticisms as well, but I think-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Affordable Child Care Scheme and Related Matters: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Kathleen Funchion: I will start with the good news. It is not an easy role, and I think the Minister is doing a good job. My first question on the ACS concerns the review. I welcome that, and I am looking forward to seeing exactly what will be contained in it, as are many others. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, was mentioned. If it is the case that the cost of child care is a lot more than what...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Affordable Child Care Scheme and Related Matters: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Kathleen Funchion: It is a very good course but some providers with a high number of children with additional needs did not receive a place on the course while other providers with fewer children with additional needs did. It is always difficult to figure that out. It is good to hear that more people are doing it this year.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Affordable Child Care Scheme and Related Matters: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Kathleen Funchion: Yes.

Technological Universities Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (23 Jan 2018)

Kathleen Funchion: I move amendment No. 23:In page 19, to delete lines 9 and 10 and substitute the following:“(iii) not less than 4 or 10 per cent (whichever is greater) of student representatives of the technological university, nominated by the students’ union, in accordance with its own procedures,”.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Emergency Works Scheme Funding (23 Jan 2018)

Kathleen Funchion: 202. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will provide financial support to the board of management of a school (details supplied) to enable it to repair the damage done to the playground and the perimeter fence separating the school from the Donagh river by the severe floods in August 2017. [2974/18]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (23 Jan 2018)

Kathleen Funchion: 203. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to visit County Donegal and meet the board of Donegal Education and Training Board and a delegation of parents and teachers regarding delays in securing a site for the three-school campus at Buncrana, County Donegal; and if his officials are treating this matter with urgency and ensuring that all options for securing a site are...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (23 Jan 2018)

Kathleen Funchion: 204. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delays in progressing the extension works at a school (details supplied); and if these delays will be addressed by his Department. [2976/18]

Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jan 2018)

Kathleen Funchion: I genuinely welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate. I know we often start our contributions with a line like that but I feel strongly and passionately about this. It is probably one of the most important issues that we will ever discuss in the Chamber. My colleague, Deputy Crowe, touched on the history of how the State has treated women. If we look at how we have treated...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Annual Report of Ombudsman for Children 2016: Discussion (16 Jan 2018)

Kathleen Funchion: I will be brief. When a person raises an issue or a complaint with the Ombudsman for Children, which finds in that person's favour, but he or she still has a difficulty with the service - we are talking about the HSE in this regard - what does the person do? Does he or she come back to the ombudsman time and again? What is the best advice the ombudsman can give? I agree with Dr. Muldoon's...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland Administration (16 Jan 2018)

Kathleen Funchion: 382. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the introduction by SUSI of the third party representative process (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55159/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Administration (16 Jan 2018)

Kathleen Funchion: 383. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that independent bodies such as an organisation (details supplied) send resource packs to schools which causes concern for parents that their children may be exposed to unsuitable materials; if it is at the discretion of the teacher or school to review such packs; if training has been provided to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Institutes of Technology (16 Jan 2018)

Kathleen Funchion: 453. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a site was identified in Wexford town for the development of a university campus; if so, the location of same; and the proposed date for the commencement of works. [1904/18]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Administration (16 Jan 2018)

Kathleen Funchion: 454. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the rationale behind SUSI's new third party representation process; and the rationale for not now accepting email consent contrary to its email dated 5 December 2017 outlining the new process. [1906/18]