Results 4,821-4,840 of 5,762 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Dr. Flannery and Dr. Doris. Next are Dr. Larkin and Dr. Corbet.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Dr. Larkin and invite Dr. Corbet to make his presentation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Dr. Corbet. We have had four excellent presentations. We are all agreed that we are in crisis in respect of third-level fees, both currently and given the demographics coming down the line. Ultimately, we have to do what is fair to students, their families, universities, and the taxpayer, particularly as the taxpayer has a significant stake in this.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Senator for that interesting comment. I will not take up too much time myself as we need to get back to the four experts and professionals. However, areas of concern to me would include equity of access and ensuring that, no matter what, we are not putting more barriers in the way of students. I was going to say young people but sometimes older people want access as well. The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I accept that, but whoever would be in government would have to ensure that did not happen. We are in a situation where we need the Government of the day to invest in higher education. No matter what happens in terms of finance down the road, we absolutely need investment at this point. We sat here and listened to the leaders in the area from the universities and the institutes of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Senator has made her point.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is about breaking the cycle and encouraging the next generation to have the wherewithal to do more for their kids and to have a more level playing field.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Yes, please. Members can submit written questions to the secretariat who will forward them to the delegation for reply and we would appreciate if the witnesses returned on another occasion.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Dr. Doris. We will move on to Dr. Larkin.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Thank you. We will give the final words to Dr. Corbet.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is worth asking.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Through the Chair please. We are finishing up now. Did Senator Ó Clochartaigh ask this earlier?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Guys, come on, please. We still have to get to our minutes and correspondence.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am not allowing any supplementary questions on this.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am conscious of time because some of us are speaking in the Dáil shortly. I thank the four witnesses for their attendance and contributions. It was an insightful debate and it was worthwhile to have two directly opposing views on what is a very difficult subject. It was a very productive session and we all learned a lot from their insights and observations. We look forward to...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Revised) (2 May 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I remind members, officials and those in the Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they will interfere with the broadcasting equipment. The meeting has been convened to consider the Revised Estimate for Vote 26 - Education and Skills, which was referred by the Dáil to the committee with an instruction to report back. I formally...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Revised) (2 May 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I must check something. We did not get it beforehand, but we have now been given the Minister's opening statement. Would he like to make it before we move on to questions on the subheads?

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Revised) (2 May 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Absolutely, after he makes them.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Revised) (2 May 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: If the Minister would like to give his opening remarks now, that is what we are used to.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Revised) (2 May 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister. His statement was appreciated. In future, it might be useful for us to have his opening statement prior to the meeting in order that members would have an opportunity to scrutinise it. I suggest that we deal with subhead A3, primary teacher salaries, on page 10 of the committee secretariat's briefing document. Deputy Byrne had indicated that he wished to speak about...