Results 521-540 of 5,794 for speaker:James Lawless

Equitable Beef Pricing Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (24 Oct 2024)

James Lawless: Are there no other speakers? It is that time of the evening and that time of the cycle. Only a few of us brave souls are left.

Equitable Beef Pricing Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (24 Oct 2024)

James Lawless: I thank Deputy Browne. I thank Deputy Tóibín for introducing the Bill and provoking the debate. He has attempted to address a significant issue. I have given reasons, which I will recap, as to why the Government is not in a position to support the Bill but, notwithstanding that, I commend the Deputy on his initiative in bringing it forward. I listened with interest to Deputy...

Equitable Beef Pricing Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (24 Oct 2024)

James Lawless: I thank Deputy Tóibín for bringing this Bill forward and for his passionate contribution to the debate. I have listened with interest to his setting out of his stall and I have taken careful note of what he has said. We can all agree that farmers should receive a fair and equitable price for their produce. The programme for Government recognises the economic and social role of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Bus Services (24 Oct 2024)

James Lawless: I thank the Deputy. When I saw this Topical Issue selected, I was reminded of my colleague, Deputy Paul McAuliffe, who raised this issue under Questions on Promised Legislation last week, and I answered. To put in context that exchange, I absolutely recognise the legitimacy of the concerns around the No. 11 bus, and I have spoken with Deputy McAuliffe on it since then as well. It is a very...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Bus Services (24 Oct 2024)

James Lawless: I thank the Deputy. I fully recognise the points he is making and understand them. It is absolutely key, and I am someone who, throughout my career, has been committed to optimising the use of public transport and maximising the take-up of it. It is actually quite a simple formula to make that happen but it is a formula we have to deliver. It has to be affordable and at a reasonable...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Primary Care Centres (24 Oct 2024)

James Lawless: I thank Deputy Ellis for his question. I am glad to have the opportunity to update the House on this matter. A central objective of the programme for Government is to deliver increased levels of integrated healthcare, with service delivery reoriented towards general practice, primary care and community-based services to enable a home first approach. Integral to this is the development...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Primary Care Centres (24 Oct 2024)

James Lawless: It is very welcome, indeed. I note the Deputy's comments. The Minister also very much welcomes the development of the integrated care hub in Omni Shopping Centre and the co-location of the consultant-led services, provided for the enhanced community care specialist teams for people with chronic disease and older persons, and the primary care services provided by Larkhill primary care team....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Regional Development (24 Oct 2024)

James Lawless: I note everything the Deputy says in his very strong contribution. I reiterate that the goal and one of the core objectives of Project Ireland 2040 is strengthening rural economies and rural communities. Building up and improving services for the population requires significant investment in infrastructure, now and into the future. That is undoubted. Prioritising key social and economic...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Regional Development (24 Oct 2024)

James Lawless: Well, the fact it has actually happened is very welcome. I hear the points the Deputy makes. The Government will continue to make efforts to boost NDP delivery and to strive towards regional development.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Staff (24 Oct 2024)

James Lawless: I thank the Deputy. I had not been informed of the outcome of the October appeal. Deputy Tully is telling me it was also refused, is that correct?

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Staff (24 Oct 2024)

James Lawless: I will certainly pick that up with the Minister and have that discussion. I will make sure he is aware of it. Deputy Tully said there are three other children imminently to arrive in the school, is that correct?

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Staff (24 Oct 2024)

James Lawless: It is always difficult with education cases in any scenario, especially in cases when there are a set of rules and a case falls just below the line, such as in this case. I believe the numbers Deputy Tully suggested were 77 versus 78. These calls are always difficult ones. People who are on boards of appeal and hearings having to adjudicate on these cases always find themselves in a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Regional Development (24 Oct 2024)

James Lawless: Yes. The best was saved to last. I thank Deputy Ó Cuív. Before I respond, I pay tribute to him and welcome his family. I have just been informed they are in the Public Gallery. I do not know whether he will have an opportunity to contribute again in this House in the coming weeks. Knowing him, I am sure he will find a couple more opportunities. I wish to put on record his...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (24 Oct 2024)

James Lawless: I thank the Deputy. I know what he is saying and I take careful heed of it. Perhaps such a meeting would be useful. It may be something that could be organised. I reiterate that the Minister has stated that Department of Education officials are very willing to engage with the patron on this matter. I am sure the Deputy's influence with the school carries a lot of weight. He might...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Staff (24 Oct 2024)

James Lawless: It is a busy afternoon, Ceann Comhairle. I thank Deputy Tully for raising this very important matter. I am glad to have the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister for Education, to update the House on the response. On primary school staffing, the key factor in determining the level of staffing resources provided to an individual school is the staffing schedule for the relevant school...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (24 Oct 2024)

James Lawless: I thank the Deputy for raising those concerns and this issue. I am glad to have the opportunity to work through the Department of Education's planning and how the model was arrived at whereby Ériu Community College will relocate from Hansfield to Hollywoodrath. To plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, the Department divides the country into 314 school...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (24 Oct 2024)

James Lawless: I pay tribute to the Deputy's ongoing advocacy for the special education sector and special educational needs resources. He has been a strong advocate for that over the last term. I am taking this question on behalf of the Minister for Education. I will outline on behalf of the Minister how the Department and the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, continue to support children...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (24 Oct 2024)

James Lawless: It is a complex matter, as I understand, and there have been a few twists in the tale already, which is probably unfortunate. I thank the Deputy for raising the question and for his continued advocacy for Ballincollig, Cork and the wider special educational needs sector over the past four and a half years. He has been a strong advocate for them. The Department continues to engage...