Results 41-60 of 133 for children speaker:Robbie Gallagher

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Nov 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: I join my colleagues in welcoming Senator Pippa Hackett to the House this afternoon. I had the pleasure of meeting Senator Hackett, her husband and her two children earlier today. I also welcome Deputy Catherine Martin, who comes from Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, to the Gallery. Their party leader, Deputy Eamon Ryan, is also present. Senator Hackett is in very good company. This is a...

Seanad: Traveller Culture and History in Education Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (16 Oct 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: .... When the Minister sums up the debate, I would welcome hearing that he will personally ensure the Bill progresses to its destination as quickly as possible. It is important that all Traveller children are given an equal footing. I would like to see their ambitions realised as they go through the school system. I am very happy and proud to support the Bill and I will be keeping a close...

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: ...at the border region; - the formulation of an effective strategy to combat the worsening drugs crises; - increased surveillance of drug distribution networks and legislative changes to facilitate action against those who are using children as part of those networks; - the provision of increased numbers of Drugs Task Forces; - budget provision that will enable the Gardaí to...

Seanad: Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019: Second Stage (2 Oct 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: ...to be hoped the legislation will improve the enforcement and standardisation of responses to emerging challenges in the education sector in the years to come. Fianna Fáil has consistently raised the need to safeguard children from the negative impact of using digital devices. While the Government has issued circulars on the issue, evidence collected by education and training board,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Oct 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: ...the commitment, dedication, passion and hard work of the Glaslough TidyTowns committee and volunteers. One of the pleasing aspects of the win is the number of young people who were involved. The children from both local schools have embraced all that is good about Glaslough and TidyTowns and I was delighted to see so many of them at last night's event. They all look forward eagerly to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Respite Care Services (25 Sep 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: ...in both counties. The issue shines a light on the chronic lack of childcare facilities available to families in Monaghan and Cavan and it highlights the chronic need for a separate facility for children.Ideally, we should have a childcare facility for adults and a separate facility for children. We all know that being a carer is a tough, 24-7 and 52 weeks of the year job. These people...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Respite Care Services (25 Sep 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: ...interim facility was due to be commissioned. Due to the fact that Annalee View is not available, what is the current situation with the interim facility? An additional separate respite service for children has been promised. The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, indicated that he is looking into that. I ask for a progress report on that service. I would appreciate if greater...

Seanad: Relationships and Sexuality Education: Statements (25 Sep 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: ...It is timely that we are having this conversation. I also noted from the Minister's contribution that no decisions of any kind have been made and it is important to make that point. Parents are the prime educators of children and it is important that, whatever agreed policy or platform we ultimately produce at the end of this process, the vast majority of all the stakeholders buy into it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Eligibility Criteria of Student Universal Support Ireland: Discussion (12 Sep 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: ...go on to further education, and that is the backdrop to why we are all here today. For a certain cohort of people there is no help or financial assistance given to them whatsoever for sending their children to college. If one is living in rural Ireland, or does not live close to the cities of Dublin, Cork, or Galway, then the cost of accommodation is a major issue, and it is increasing...

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: ...work they do. I would like someone to grasp the nettle once and for all so that members of the Defence Forces can take pride in their work, can see a future for themselves, their wives and their children and can stay in the forces. There is no point in the taxpayer spending money to train them to a high level, only to discover that they cannot stay in the forces after their training has...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jun 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: ...and political communities will wrap their arms around the Kelly family during the difficult days, weeks and months that lie ahead. I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to his wife, Bernie, their five children, his father, Donal, his mother, Jacqueline, and all his siblings and extended family. I wish to reassure the Kelly family that they will remain in the thoughts and prayers of those...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: ...for another meeting. This is the second day on which we have heard presentations from witnesses on this area. I have come away with the conclusion that the system, as we have it, is failing the children concerned, as well as the parents of those children. It is failing the schools and teachers as well. I can see that in many ways the finger is being pointed towards the schools. That...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (30 May 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: ...direction, which is unfair. We have learned in the meeting that schools do not have the necessary machinery or infrastructure to do the job properly. The system is failing not just the parents and children involved but also the schools, teachers and principals. The Department appears to be turning its back on the issue, given that it does not seem to want to know the scale of the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: ...which has been waiting somewhere between three and four years and are still awaiting an appointment. It is vitally important that we remember that there are real people behind those figures - children, their parents and families, who are left suffering while waiting for an appointment. Something needs to be done about this. I ask that the Minister comes to this House to advise us of the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Apr 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: ...resources in this particular area. Last year, for example, the service supported 260 people, mostly women but some men. It is important to remember that this support also involved over 400 children. We all know that domestic violence and marriage breakdown are traumatic for those involved, particularly children. Will the Leader ask the Minister to expedite the review and ensure that...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: State Pensions Reform (2 Apr 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: ...in the State contributory pension.These people have lost out financially due to a decision made by the Government in 2012. Most of them are women who took time out to look after and rear their children. I understand that a review is under way in relation to the post-budget 2012 band rates. While I welcome the review, I am disappointed to learn that as of 8 March 2019, only 4,254 reviews...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Traveller Education: Discussion (26 Mar 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: ...would benefit from increased education in this area. Some of the points that jumped out at me include the importance of having teachers from the Traveller community. What can we do to encourage children and young adults from the Traveller community to take up teaching? Are there any incentives we can put in place to address that? The home is vitally important for all our...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: General Practitioner Services Provision (26 Feb 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: ...cards and that those people will be seen at some point. What about the people who are working and do not have a medical card? How are they meant to survive and where are they meant to go if their children are sick if there are no GPs available?

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Insurance Costs (13 Feb 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: ...This puts added pressure on businesses that are getting it tight at present, and clearly more needs to be done. I read recently in one of the national newspapers that a business owner who runs a play centre for children, which is quite common throughout the country, has seen the premium go from €2,500 up to €16,000 over the past five years. Clearly, this is crippling and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: General Scheme of the Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019: Discussion (12 Feb 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: ...to take on apprentices. We need to pay them properly. At the moment it is simply not happening. I will move on to the issue of clarity for families that are thinking about sending their children to colleges in the North of Ireland. The Minister and I, being from Donegal, understand, and Deputy McLoughlin also outlined, that for students along the Border, going to a college in the...