Results 761-780 of 2,964 for speaker:James O'Connor

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2022
Vote 45 - Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Financial Statements 2022: National Training Fund
Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022
Chapter 19: National Training Fund (23 Nov 2023)

James O'Connor: Is there anything that could be done to improve the position regarding postgraduate funding? Quite a few PhD candidates have told us that there is a cut-off in the supports available to them if they had spent any time outside Ireland. If they return, they are not eligible, despite having citizenship. The cause of some people returning to Ireland is to do that further education, with the...

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2022
Vote 45 - Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Financial Statements 2022: National Training Fund
Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022
Chapter 19: National Training Fund (23 Nov 2023)

James O'Connor: I suppose it has become a common fact of life in Ireland for many people who have obtained an undergraduate degree or a master's degree here to leave, but they intend to return. Does Mr. Moynes think it would be of assistance if the policy was changed to address this specifically in order to try to tempt people to come back here to pursue further studies?

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2022
Vote 45 - Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Financial Statements 2022: National Training Fund
Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022
Chapter 19: National Training Fund (23 Nov 2023)

James O'Connor: It is worth referencing that the income of the fund, of €951 million, has doubled from what it was in 2017. It is a large sum of money. I wanted to touch on that too. I thank Dr. O'Reardon for his response. On the issues that came up during the Comptroller and Auditor General's audit, non-compliance procurement issues for five IT contracts for project support that totalled just...

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2022
Vote 45 - Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Financial Statements 2022: National Training Fund
Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022
Chapter 19: National Training Fund (23 Nov 2023)

James O'Connor: The Department obtained a sanction from the Department of public expenditure to write off €116,715. It related to misappropriated public funds. Can Dr. O'Reardon give an explanation of what happened there? That refers to funds that were provided to the Waterford Area Partnership CLG by Kilkenny and Carlow ETB and Waterford and Wexford ETB, arising from the overclaiming of rental...

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2022
Vote 45 - Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Financial Statements 2022: National Training Fund
Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022
Chapter 19: National Training Fund (23 Nov 2023)

James O'Connor: It says that the money was used for administrative purposes. What does that mean?

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2022
Vote 45 - Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Financial Statements 2022: National Training Fund
Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022
Chapter 19: National Training Fund (23 Nov 2023)

James O'Connor: Has it provided receipts or any evidence of what it spent that money on?

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2022
Vote 45 - Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Financial Statements 2022: National Training Fund
Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022
Chapter 19: National Training Fund (23 Nov 2023)

James O'Connor: It is worth referencing that if it is claimed under a section need, the money has to be spent on that specific need. I am not taking away from the good work that any organisation does.

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2022
Vote 45 - Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Financial Statements 2022: National Training Fund
Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022
Chapter 19: National Training Fund (23 Nov 2023)

James O'Connor: I appreciate my time is out. We might come back to it. I thank the witnesses

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2022
Vote 45 - Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Financial Statements 2022: National Training Fund
Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022
Chapter 19: National Training Fund (23 Nov 2023)

James O'Connor: Going back to the issue of surpluses, when I was doing my research on the NTF, I read with great interest that there has been a large surplus there too. I want to go into that. The NTF is funded mainly by way of levies on employers collected through employers' pay-related social insurance. The income of the fund in 2022 was just shy of €1 billion, at €951 million. Payments...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (23 Nov 2023)

James O'Connor: Thank you Chairperson. I appreciate you allowing me to raise this matter with committee members and the clerk. I wish to raise an item of deep concern to the public accounts committee in relation to the ongoing financial and regulatory issues in the Football Association of Ireland. The information that has now entered the public domain has made clear that urgent questions regarding the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (23 Nov 2023)

James O'Connor: 8. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department will review the flood supports administered through the Red Cross for those affected whose insurance excess restricts them from accessing the current scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51587/23]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (23 Nov 2023)

James O'Connor: 53. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide the current up-to-date numbers of how much funding has been administered through the Red Cross scheme for flood victims in the east Cork area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51588/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (22 Nov 2023)

James O'Connor: 85. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding application for capital funding, under the additional school accommodation scheme from school (details supplied) for special class accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51314/23]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Management of Passenger Numbers at Dublin Airport: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

James O'Connor: The DAA has known for some time and has been very concerned about the standard of terminal 1 at the airport. I have seen some improvements in catering options and some other things. What plans does the DAA have to improve terminal 1 customer experience? Senator Dooley mentioned overcrowding. This has long been a concern of mine. When you go through airport security, heading down...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Management of Passenger Numbers at Dublin Airport: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

James O'Connor: The news of the C3 machines is interesting. This is new information for me. There will be another floor of airport screening available. Is that correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Management of Passenger Numbers at Dublin Airport: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

James O'Connor: I have previously raised the issue of the capacity constraints and the passenger cap. Inevitably, when the economy is doing well air traffic numbers tend to increase. In Dublin there has been a very significant increase when the economy performs well. It is worth noting that both terminals are in or around their capacity. For the growth of airlines, particularly for our flag carrier, Aer...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Management of Passenger Numbers at Dublin Airport: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

James O'Connor: What is the timeline for this process if everything goes smoothly without any serious challenges?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Management of Passenger Numbers at Dublin Airport: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

James O'Connor: That would be incredible. I am not levelling criticism at Mr. Jacobs on this, but it is interesting that it takes such a long time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Management of Passenger Numbers at Dublin Airport: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

James O'Connor: I have a few questions on that as well. Have there been any developments regarding the Cork to Brussels route? From previous engagement with the airport, I know there is a lot of desire for people in Cork to get that connection. The previous connectivity to that region was much appreciated. It has been poor enough but it definitely is something we want to see being implemented

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Management of Passenger Numbers at Dublin Airport: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

James O'Connor: That is good to hear.