Results 41-60 of 1,020 for speaker:Jennifer Murnane O'Connor in 'Dáil debates'

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Apr 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: A sum of €10 million.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Payments (25 Apr 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I welcome that we now realise from our meetings that the Green Paper was not going to work. However, the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities in 1996 recommended there should be a gradual payment to meet additional everyday costs associated with disabilities. This has come up with me recently too. There is no overall payment to cover the cost of disability in Ireland....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Meals Programme (25 Apr 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: This is a good news story for children. Some families might not have as much as others. At least they know their children are going in every day and getting a hot meal, which is a game-changer. All schools, but particularly primary schools, should provide these meals. Schools can now reapply. We need to contact all the schools in order that they know about this. The programme needs to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Meals Programme (25 Apr 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: 9. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department has measured the progress and success of the school meals programme in the context of diet, attendance and educational attainment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18078/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Meals Programme (25 Apr 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Has the Department measured the progress and success of the schools meal programme in the context of diet, attendance and educational means?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Meals Programme (25 Apr 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister. I strongly agree with her about the hot school meals programme. It is absolutely excellent not only for DEIS schools but for every school included in the programme. The Minister announced hot meals for an additional 900 primary schools. Ten of those schools are in Carlow. These are schools that I had been working with. They are rural schools. For all the schools...

Weather-Related Supports for Farmers: Statements (Resumed) (24 Apr 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Like all the other speakers I have farmers coming into my office from Borris, Bagenalstown, Tullow, Hacketstown, Rathvilly and Carlow itself - I have covered them all - and they are telling me they did not get to sow winter corn. They talk about bringing back seed because they did not get to sow. It has become a huge issue this year. Potato farmers are constantly on to me about how poor...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Apr 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I want to ask about what is happening for children with diabetes in St. Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny. The hospital lost two clinical nurse specialists in late 2023 and for some reason has not been able to recruit replacements. The hospital has insulin pumps but nobody is trained to use them. I have met several very upset parents who have children with type 1 diabetes. These children...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Enterprise Support Services (18 Apr 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I agree with the previous speakers. I have met many small business owners in County Carlow. Their businesses are barely surviving. Grants are becoming a huge issue. Their outgoings are so much. We all welcome the living wage, the PRSI and all the different sick leave we are now looking at. It is important because people are living longer and it is important they are having a good...

Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Apr 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Deputy O'Dea is sharing with Deputy Crowe. That is fine. I thank the Minister, and as we know, auto-enrolment is a sort of mandatory pension system where employees are auto-enrolled into a quality-assured retirement savings system with freedom of choice to opt out. I am going to ask the Minister about that in a minute. It is important that we give employees the option. This new system...

Road Safety: Statements (17 Apr 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State. As we know, the number of road fatalities has increased significantly in recent years. There were 188 in 2023, the highest number since 2014, when the number was 192. Already in 2024, up to yesterday, there were 63 compared to 49 this time last year. This is really worrying. The total number of collisions is up 58 this year compared with 45 at this time...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disadvantaged Status (16 Apr 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I welcome the DEIS initiative for schools in areas with the highest deprivation, which is really important. However, I see this even in County Carlow in schools that I am working with now. For example, some of the schools have hot meals but they have no funding for snacks or breakfast. The supports are vital. There is the added struggle for the same students to access the public health...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (16 Apr 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister. As she knows, the works that can be undertaken under the minor works scheme include maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds. However, many schools are finding that the costs have risen substantially and they are seeing a huge shortfall. The Minister has seen in areas such as housing, and in regard to all grants, that the costs of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (16 Apr 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: This funding is really welcome. It is so important. I note that it is planned to go to nearly 90 school building projects, which are currently at tender stage. The Minister announced that in the last few weeks. I welcome that. There are two capital projects for schools in County Carlow. One is, as the fellow said, "shovel ready" and ready to go. When will the announcement be made for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (16 Apr 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: 59. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the minor works grant; when she expects this to be paid this year for schools in Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16156/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (16 Apr 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I am looking for an update on the minor works grant. When does the Minister expect this to be paid for schools in Carlow? Will the Minister make a statement on the matter?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Programme for Government (20 Mar 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: 5. To ask the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [9336/24]

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Mar 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I wish to raise the issue of hospitals not providing transport for patients on discharge. I have a patient who attended St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny. She had an irregular heartbeat and chest pains. She was discharged home. She was put into a taxi which cost €99. She had to pay it. The hospital has no transport. It is a huge concern. Previously she has gone to hospitals in Naas...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Post Office Network (7 Mar 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I agree with previous speakers. We are so lucky to have our post offices, particularly in rural Ireland, because they play a significant role in that area where people are able to meet and the services and postmasters are excellent. However, we need to make sure we keeping adding on extras, be they banking facilities or something else. I am a firm believer that people should be able to tax...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Schemes (5 Mar 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I welcome the Government's Town Centre First plan. As the Minister knows, Tullow, County Carlow, now has a town regeneration officer who will manage the implementation of the plan locally and work with the town team but to me the really good thing is that work is being done with the community representatives. That is the game-changer and I really welcome it. It was announced that...