Results 5,261-5,280 of 5,757 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 61. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way in which partnerships have been encouraged between the Defence Forces and the private sector in the County Kildare area with a view to increased research, innovation and enterprise development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39822/16]

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Agencies Data (13 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 64. To ask the Taoiseach the number of State boards under the remit of his Department or its agencies in tabular form; the total number of members of each board; the number of women on each board; and the percentage of each board that is made up of women. [39352/16]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Early School Leavers (13 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 194. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the examination of additional supports to groups working with early school leavers that has taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39408/16]

Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (8 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am absolutely delighted to hear this news. For the Kildare people who use the services and their families, as well as the staff at Lakeview unit, this is really good news. The fact that the physical design will be updated - making it a brighter building and a better place for people to be treated in and to work in - is also very welcome, as is the addition of eight new units. I am really...

Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (8 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: This is an area with which the Acting Chairman, Deputy Durkan, is very familiar as it is in his constituency. I thank the Minister of State for being here for the debate. The Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, visited Naas General Hospital recently. I know this through social media and newspapers. It is regrettable that other Deputies in the constituency were not invited, because...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I warmly welcome our distinguished guests. We have in attendance our youngest stakeholder yet, Ms Jane Hayes-Nally, who is very welcome. We are delighted to have the input of second level students. I welcome Mrs. Justice Catherine McGuinness, chairman of the governing authority at NUI Galway, Professor John Hegarty from the Royal Irish Academy, Dr. Catherine Day, chairman of the governing...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mrs. McGuinness. I should have acknowledged that she is a former Member of the House also, having been a Member of the Seanad for many years. She gave great and distinguished service to the Seanad. I call Professor John Hegarty from the Royal Irish Academy, RIA, to make his opening statement. I understand the statement has been circulated to all members.

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Professor Hegarty. I now call Dr. Catherine Day who is representing UCC. We are privileged to have her with us following her long career in Brussels and elsewhere in Europe. I am sure she has seen many examples of very good practice throughout the education system across Europe.

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Dr. Day for her presentation. Members can ask questions and indicate whether they want clarifications on anything that has been said by the first three contributors but first I will address a few questions to Mrs. Justice McGuinness. I noted from her submission that she agreed with the idea that the funding system should involve the State's students and employers. She called for an...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Dr. Day for her comprehensive response to the queries we raised. I call Professor Hegarty.

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Professor Hegarty. I now call Mrs. Justice McGuinness.

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mrs. Justice McGuinness for her comprehensive responses.

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: We are certainly all facing into a lot of uncertainty as a result of the impact. One thing is absolutely clear and that is the need for Ireland to invest in its third level strategy going forward for the benefit not only of students but society, business and families. We will now go to our three remaining witnesses. The first is Ms Annie Hoey, the president of the USI. We have Ms Hoey's...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I ask Mr. Kieran McNulty, who is the president of the students union at TCD, to make his contribution.

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mr. Kieran McNulty for his contribution. I ask Ms. Jane Hayes-Nally, president of the Irish Second-Level Students Union, to make her contribution. It is very important we hear the representative voice of the students who hopefully will be going on to third level in the next few years. Jane, you are very welcome.

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Ms Hayes-Nally. I am sure her Mum and sisters are very proud of her today. Ms Hayes-Nally paints a good and clear picture of the stress that can impact on family life in terms of funding decisions. As the eldest of eleven, I totally understand where she is coming from. What is clear from the last three presenters is that they feel an income contingent loan system would not be...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: To be fair, I do not think any members are dismissing that option. We are discussing the different challenges and problems that each option can present. There is no straightforward solution. No matter what we produce collaboratively for the Minister, there will be no straightforward way. It is up to us to look at, to learn and to face up to the hard challenges and tasks when making...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: Apart from the whole issue of funding the sector, reform of the system is badly needed too. There is no point in having no fees when the cost of sending a student to college is high. One has to go hand in hand with the other. Linking in with businesses is very important. Ring-fencing the levy and increasing it was mentioned earlier. We have to look at the whole apprenticeship and skills...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mr. McNulty. Would Ms Hoey like to respond?

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Ms Hoey. The whole reason we are having this debate is the systematic under-funding in third level over the last number of years, particularly given the increase in the number of students. Having listened to the presidents of the universities and institutes of technology in regard to the huge pressures they are under at this time, the debate is very relevant. We need to have it and...