Results 501-520 of 5,097 for speaker:Mairéad Farrell

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (17 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: 157. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on plans to improve rail transportation services in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42226/24]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (17 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: 158. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is committed to making public transport in rural areas accessible to passengers with mobility issues; the improvements he is making in that regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42227/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (17 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: 198. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a child with scoliosis (details supplied) will be offered school transport. [42310/24]

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (16 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: I met a mother of three young children who has recently gone back to work two days a week. She was contacted and advised her medical card will be removed. Her going back to work for two days a week is good for her family, her mental health and the local economy, to which she is contributing. I know financial thresholds in respect of the medical card have not changed in the past ten years....

VAT Rate for Hospitality Sector: Motion [Private Members] (16 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: A business owner told me today: "Without a business like mine, there would be no Atlantic Way." This is a business owner who has felt the impact of the lack of Government support or interest across the west and that is what I hear back from businesses across the west. When we talk about SMEs, as we all know in this Chamber, we are talking about so much more than one business. We are...

Disability Services: Motion [Private Members] (15 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: Tá sé iontach go bhfuil sé seo curtha os comhair na Dála ag mo chomhghleacaí, an Teachta Pauline Tully, anocht. Ar ndóigh, tá sé iontach go bhfuil daoine anseo atá in ann a gcuid tuairimí a roinnt linn mar go bhfuil sé fíorthábhachtach go gcloisfear tuairimí na ndaoine seo. Ón athbhreithniú a rinneadh maidir le...

Transparency and Social Value in Public Procurement Bill 2024: First Stage (15 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: Tairgim: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to give further effect to Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 and for that purpose to provide for certain reporting functions in relation to procurements to which that Directive applies, to amend the Companies Act 2014 and to provide for related matters. A Thaoisigh agus...

Transparency and Social Value in Public Procurement Bill 2024: First Stage (15 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: Tairgim: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education Needs of Visually Impaired Students: Discussion (15 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: I thank the witnesses for coming in front of the committee. I will follow on from Deputy Hourigan’s questions. Ms Agbona explained her experience regarding the lunch break, the social side and transition year. It is powerful to hear this. It is good that we are having this conversation and that it is on the record of the committee. I thank her for that. I will start with a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education Needs of Visually Impaired Students: Discussion (15 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: Can Ms Agbona give an example of that? For people like me who are learning and for those who will look back at this meeting, it would be important to give an example of that stark difference. It is positive to hear this but it should be happening throughout a child or a teenager’s learning experience.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education Needs of Visually Impaired Students: Discussion (15 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: That is powerful. Thank you.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education Needs of Visually Impaired Students: Discussion (15 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: I am aware that we will have the Department in and I want to be able to ask the questions. We are saying it should be incorporated into support plans. Ms Walsh said that different schools do it differently. Should there be something like a circular from the Department indicating what is best practice?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education Needs of Visually Impaired Students: Discussion (15 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: I want to talk about the technology and when it fails, but I wanted to ask another question. As a committee, we went to a school with children who are deaf. The kids would probably call themselves teenagers and they were all taller than me. One of the things that really stood out to me was how they described things like transition year work experience being very difficult. Dr. McCarthy...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education Needs of Visually Impaired Students: Discussion (15 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: Excellent.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education Needs of Visually Impaired Students: Discussion (15 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: Will Ms O’Dwyer explain how exactly how that works for someone who does not know?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education Needs of Visually Impaired Students: Discussion (15 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: Would anyone else like to come in on that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education Needs of Visually Impaired Students: Discussion (15 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: That is a really good point. I have another question. A friend told me how when she was transitioning from school to third level that there was a massive improvement to access to supports. Why is that? She said the figures qualifying under the DARE scheme had dropped while she was in college. Is that still happening? She found there was a huge difference between school and college. ...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education Needs of Visually Impaired Students: Discussion (15 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: That makes absolute sense. Looking at assistive technology, is there enough technical outreach or supports when technology fails? What happens when it does?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education Needs of Visually Impaired Students: Discussion (15 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: The printer is a classic example.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education Needs of Visually Impaired Students: Discussion (15 Oct 2024)

Mairéad Farrell: That is really important. I have just one more question because I know I am over time. Could Ms Walsh elaborate on how the digital papers pilot could be optimised? How can we make the experience work for children with multiple diagnoses, who may need even more support in availing of the option? Are enough resources being put into this area? That is something I could raise with the...