Results 61-80 of 4,831 for speaker:Thomas Gould

Gambling Regulation Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 May 2024)

Thomas Gould: I hear what the Minister of State is saying but people in addiction services, those who have family members affected by gambling and those who are in recovery tell us that these free bets, even if they are free to everyone, are a hook to get people into gambling. We have met with the people on the ground and that is what they have told us. The Minister of State made a point about giving...

Gambling Regulation Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 May 2024)

Thomas Gould: I would like to speak.

Gambling Regulation Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 May 2024)

Thomas Gould: I hope the Minister will be able to clarify. One of the requests of the groups and people I have met is that there would be a complete ban on all inducements, including free bets, free spins or that people get €20 or €30 if they sign up. It is my understanding, and I will stand corrected if I am wrong, that the Minister of State said that specific people and groups cannot be...

Gambling Regulation Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 May 2024)

Thomas Gould: I do not want to be confrontational or get into an argument. I sat in for some of the justice committee because my remit is addiction, recovery and well-being. It is very important that this Bill is right. At no stage did anyone feel - maybe I am wrong here - that this would affect sporting organisations and charities. That was never the intention. This was for the likes of Paddy Power,...

Gambling Regulation Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 May 2024)

Thomas Gould: Mr. Ahern and I had a meeting about coaching the other night. He does a lottery for the club every Sunday night, as does Mr. Tommy Collins and another few lads, all of whom are volunteers. I mentioned what was happening and Mr. Ahern could not believe it. He did not know about it. I was talking to people in GAA clubs over the weekend. I was talking to a club treasurer and I asked him if...

Gambling Regulation Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 May 2024)

Thomas Gould: First, I welcome the Minister of State's decision to bring forward amendments in the Seanad. This is a very important Bill. The reason it did not get the scrutiny it needed in the justice committee is that no one thought charities or sporting organisations would be covered. People view gambling as online gambling, betting shops and in-person gambling. They do not look at the GAA, sporting...

Gambling Regulation Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 May 2024)

Thomas Gould: What subsection is that?

Gambling Regulation Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 May 2024)

Thomas Gould: I did not take that from this, but if the Minister of State is giving a commitment that this legislation will ban the use of credit cards, not just online but for all gambling, I accept that. It is in store anyway.

Gambling Regulation Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 May 2024)

Thomas Gould: I move amendment No. 64: In page 92, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following: “Prohibition of Credit Card Gambling 113. (1) A licence to which this section relates shall not be issued by the Authority to an applicant for such licence unless the application is accompanied by an undertaking given by the applicant in the prescribed form stating that if the licence is issued...

Gambling Regulation Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 May 2024)

Thomas Gould: I ask the Minister of State to reconsider his position on this. This is a constructive and positive amendment. It seeks to protect people who are vulnerable and at risk. It would prevent people from losing money they do not have. I take on board the Minister of State's sincerity with regard to the Bill and that he is trying to bring forward the best possible legislation, but we have to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (1 May 2024)

Thomas Gould: 157. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether she will meet with parents and staff of a school (details supplied) regarding their sanctioned ASD classes and her Department's refusal to sanction an extension to allow for these classes to be established. [19765/24]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (1 May 2024)

Thomas Gould: 167. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the supports available for households that do not qualify for social housing, cannot access a mortgage and live in an area with no proposed cost rental; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19540/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Service Executive (1 May 2024)

Thomas Gould: 304. To ask the Minister for Health the reason nursing staff, sponsored by the HSE, did not receive a subsistence payment. [19759/24]

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Pleanáil Teanga Lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht: Plé (1 May 2024)

Thomas Gould: Tá brón orm ach níl ach cúpla focal Gaeilge agam so I have to speak English. First, I will start with Seán Ó Laoi in Gael-Taca. I am lucky and am very proud that both my daughters can speak as Gaeilge. My children can do something I could never do. As a parent, you always hope your children will take one extra step. My wife has a good bit of the language....

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Pleanáil Teanga Lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht: Plé (1 May 2024)

Thomas Gould: I joined the board of management of Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers in early 2010. The school was on the verge of closing down. It had been left in a business park and had no playground or anything like that. It was unbelievable. The school was formed in 1986 by Brother Jack Beausang and some parents in the Farranree area, on the north side of Cork city, who wanted a Gaelscoil. They could not get...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (30 Apr 2024)

Thomas Gould: I spoke to the Minister last week regarding the Before 5 childcare facility in Churchfield. It had a preschool, after-school care, a crèche and adult education. It had everything and was in a DEIS area in the heart of Churchfield and Gurranabraher. It has closed down but €364,000 will get it open. That would get hundreds of kids into childcare in our community but we cannot...

Petrol and Diesel Excise Rate Increases: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (30 Apr 2024)

Thomas Gould: The Government has planned three excise and carbon tax increases on petrol and diesel this year. These increases should not go ahead. The Dáil will be on holidays in August when the review of prices, which the Minister of State talked about, will happen. Does the Minister of State know what happens in August? Parents get ready to send their kids back to school because they are back...

Petrol and Diesel Excise Rate Increases: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (30 Apr 2024)

Thomas Gould: Not all children have the free schoolbooks scheme. That is not in place in August. Will it be in place? The fact is that ordinary people are trying to send their kids to school or college and to go to work. The Minister of State talks about a just transition. Can I explain something? If the Minister of State ever goes to Grenagh in Cork North-Central, which is my constituency, in a...

Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2024)

Thomas Gould: I am supporting a lady in my constituency who is currently in unsuitable housing. She is housed by Cork City Council. She has applied for a transfer and the council has agreed to this. It has offered to her to go on the transfer list and is assessing her situation. She is a survivor of the mother and baby homes. She is someone who the Minister probably knows personally. She has assisted...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Apr 2024)

Thomas Gould: Last Friday, the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB, revealed that 544 families and individuals received notices to quit in Cork city in the first three months of the year. Those are people who are facing eviction in the next few months. Can you imagine being one of those parents not knowing where you and your family are going to live in a few months' time? In a seven-week period, 15,000...