Results 5,141-5,160 of 9,820 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (13 Dec 2016)

Thomas Byrne: 259. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will review the pyrite remediation scheme to deal with the issue of category one homeowners and others that find themselves in limbo due to the fact they live in a pyrite estate. [40106/16]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (13 Dec 2016)

Thomas Byrne: 260. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of category one pyrite affected homes here. [40107/16]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (13 Dec 2016)

Thomas Byrne: 262. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if a review is underway of the pyrite remediation scheme. [40109/16]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Resolution Board Data (13 Dec 2016)

Thomas Byrne: 261. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of pyrite damaged houses in County Meath that have applications for remediation under the pyrite remediation scheme; and the number that have been remediated. [40108/16]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Dec 2016)

Thomas Byrne: Bhí áthas orm éisteacht leis an mBreitheamh Mac Aonghusa agus í ag taispeáint dúinn tábhacht na Gaeilge i nGaillimh. Bhí scéalta difriúla sna meáin an tseachtain seo caite. Tá áthas orm é sin a chloisteáil. Much of what has been said speaks for itself. I wanted to ask Dr. Day something. I thank her for being here...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Dec 2016)

Thomas Byrne: The witnesses have a wider perspective on Brexit than simply education, but we are the education committee. I have spoken to a number of academics privately since the referendum on Brexit and since the beginning of the current Dáil. Some of them seem to believe a land of milk and honey awaits with Brexit in that Irish universities could access research funding that otherwise would go...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Dec 2016)

Thomas Byrne: If we are to maintain excellence, we need a better funded system.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Dec 2016)

Thomas Byrne: I thank everybody for coming here today on the case that they are making, not only today but on an ongoing basis. I agree with the comments of the other committee members that they are a credit to society, in fact, to the education system that we have at present, and of course to their families who have served them well. If, for example, we were to take as a given what Mrs. Justice...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Dec 2016)

Thomas Byrne: I will make some observations. A decision will not be made by this committee. Some of the previous speakers wished us well in making our decision. We will not be making the decision. We will possibly be giving recommendations but it will be for the Oireachtas as a whole and the Government to make a decision. On farmers, there is always a debate about capital assets but the truth is the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Dec 2016)

Thomas Byrne: I do not have any questions but some of the comments made have raised questions with me, which I have sent on to the committee, in regard to the other experts we need to hear from arising from this discussion. For example, we probably need to hear from someone who knows the German system, and we have heard about the Australian system but we probably need to hear from someone with direct...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (7 Dec 2016)

Thomas Byrne: My colleague Deputy Anne Rabbitte who was to take the question for my party leader has said she thinks the Pope should visit Galway. The Taoiseach might bear this in mind. Given the considerable controversy caused when the last Government shut the embassy in Vatican City, it is good that relations with the church and, in particular, the Holy See now seem to be on a better footing. We...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Water Conservation Grant Applications (7 Dec 2016)

Thomas Byrne: 158. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a payment of the water grant was not awarded to a person (details supplied). [39054/16]

Topical Issues Debate: Public Parks Provision (6 Dec 2016)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for what he has said and the positive and constructive approach the Department has taken which I noted in my initial contribution. He believes the matter will be sorted out and has said the Department is examining various mechanisms to ensure we can have a linear park. I also understand the Department's concerns about ensuring value for money from its point of...

Topical Issues Debate: Public Parks Provision (6 Dec 2016)

Thomas Byrne: I am grateful for the opportunity to raise this important issue. It is one I raised previously when I was a Member of the Seanad and, indeed, it has been raised by many members of the local authority in County Meath, including by my colleague, Councillor Seán Smith. It is an issue related to the continuation of the good relations the community has with the Department of Education and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (6 Dec 2016)

Thomas Byrne: 175. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding schemes that are available to schools and preschools that need to acquire agility and sensory play equipment for students with special education needs. [38793/16]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage (6 Dec 2016)

Thomas Byrne: 377. To ask the Minister for Health when it is proposed to add new PKU-suitable foods to the various reimbursement schemes in view of the acute difficulties being experienced currently by those in need of them. [38784/16]

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Supplementary) (30 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Minister and his officials for their attendance. Savings of €24 million on teacher salaries have been forecast arising from lower than anticipated substitution costs. While this substantial saving is clearly welcome, the Minister is only allocating €10 million next year for a pay increase for young teachers. If teachers are working harder or substitution is not...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Supplementary) (30 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: Overall, the proposed Supplementary Estimate appears to be benign in that the Minister is proposing to increase the Department's net voted allocation from €8.2 billion to €8.3 billion. The capital budget is being increased by €100 million from €427 million. While I welcome the decision to build more schools, the proposed increase amounts to approximately 25% of...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Supplementary) (30 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: Many view it as meaning that construction will start.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Supplementary) (30 Nov 2016)

Thomas Byrne: In other words, the phrase "construction will start" does not mean that it will start-----