Results 4,621-4,640 of 9,252 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (22 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank our guests for coming in. I agree with Dr. Ryan that this is a critical conversation, but we have to be careful it does not become an endless conversation. It is important we get a decision on this. The fact that we have a new Department set up means that it is inevitable a decision will have to be made on this issue. We all seem to agree that there is no sustainable funding model...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (22 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: Is that quality declining?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (22 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: We in Ireland do not have the tradition of philanthropy that there is in other countries such as the United States or the United Kingdom. Does Dr. Ryan think there is a role for the private sector in making funding available to third level institutions? I ask Dr. Ryan in particular because I was recently at Munster Technological University and was very impressed by the fact that students on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (22 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: May I ask Professor Hegarty about student loans? The third option put forward by Peter Cassells was that there be deferred payment of fees. I would say that an assessment would show that one of the major avenues to availing of and to getting high disposable income is having a third level education. Huge numbers of people have been able to become wealthy and successful as a result of their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (17 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 140. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will amend the bail laws so as to prevent persons accused of serious assault and of sexual assault and with previous convictions for such offences from securing bail. [8552/22]

Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this important legislation. I commend the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, and the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smith, on bringing it forward. Back in 2014, the Houses of the Oireachtas decided to enact legislation that would provide a statutory protection to whistleblowers, and they were whistleblowers who came from within the public...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme: Discussion (16 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Mr. Deering and Ms Cooney for coming before the committee. The Oireachtas spends a lot of time trying to think of methods by which we can encourage people out of the car onto public transport. However, Mr. Deering is telling the committee that the most effective method of transport for people with disabilities appears to be the car. Is that correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme: Discussion (16 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: Footpaths are very important and essential for someone wishing to avail of public transport who has a disability. How would Mr. Deering judge the quality and effectiveness of footpaths for those trying to avail of public transport?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme: Discussion (16 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: Can we avail of any statistics that give us an indication of the percentage of people with disabilities who are able to drive? Is that something Mr. Deering thinks would be important for us to be aware of?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme: Discussion (16 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am thinking of somebody who has a disability and I would have thought it would be quite difficult to get driving lessons or become acquainted with the method by which one drives a car if one has a disability.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme: Discussion (16 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: One of the criticisms in Mr. Deering's statement was in respect of the six criteria set out for a primary medical certificate. Mr. Deering regarded them as being too restrictive. How would he like to see those criteria changed or amended to make them broader?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme: Discussion (16 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: Would Mr. Deering like to see more of a qualitative assessment as opposed to a strict box-ticking exercise? When you have criteria they necessarily exclude people.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme: Discussion (16 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: Is Mr. Deering saying that in order for that to change we need legislative change because of the provisions of the Finance Act 2021?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme: Discussion (16 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: One thing Members of the Oireachtas can do is change the law. Mr. Deering is telling us we need to amend the Finance Act 2021 by taking out the six strict criteria. I am trying to think about what we can put in their place. Mr. Deering does not believe we should put in another extensive list of criteria but that there should be some method whereby the holistic view of somebody’s...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme: Discussion (16 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: I agree. It is not the best place. It is something that requires an assessment and putting that into legislation necessarily excludes a lot of people. I know the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, will be interested to hear what Mr. Deering has said and I know Mr. Deering does not doubt her commitment to it. Mr. Deering is saying we do not need another talking shop and that he wants to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Services (15 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 117. To ask the Minister for Health the new funding that is being provided for HSE disability services in 2022. [7907/22]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 173. To ask the Minister for Health if homecare workers will receive the pandemic bonus payment. [7906/22]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (15 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 277. To ask the Minister for Finance if the taxation of exchange traded funds is being reviewed; if such funds will continue to be taxed differently than individual stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7471/22]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (15 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 301. To ask the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to making childcare costs tax deductible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8330/22]