Results 781-800 of 1,730 for speaker:Aisling Dolan

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Sep 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I note that what we have seen today is a budget of more than €90.4 billion. It is an increase on last year's budget and it is to help families at a time of crisis. Supports are being put in place. There is an increase in the pension, more social welfare supports and greater numbers of people are able to access the fuel allowance. All of this will tackle issues for the most...

Seanad: Budget 2023 (Finance): Statements (27 Sep 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming. This is a cost-of-living budget of more than €90 billion. We see the Government responding to a need and an energy crisis for families throughout Ireland. We hear from the Opposition that retrofitting needs to be done but we need people in place to do that job. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and...

Seanad: Budget 2023 (Public Expenditure and Reform): Statements (27 Sep 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. In terms of the expenditure we are seeing today, this is one of the best budgets we have seen in a long while. It is to manage the cost-of-living crisis. The questions I have are specifically on education. In recent weeks we have had a big call on school transport. More than 6,000 families are waiting. I understand there will be...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Sep 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I am delighted with all that is happening across the country this week. The National Ploughing Championships commenced yesterday and continues today and tomorrow. Very many people attended yesterday and are there today. I look forward to getting there tomorrow at some stage. However, one needs to know where one is going because the event is so huge that it feels like a jungle due to the...

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (21 Sep 2022)

Aisling Dolan: There are a range of amendments. Where the composition of these governing bodies is concerned, it is important that students be included and that the student voice be heard. It has traditionally been a closed shop to students. Senator Higgins referred to the principle of nothing with us without us. It is true that the student voice needs to be heard. It is important that students' unions...

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (21 Sep 2022)

Aisling Dolan: So many more students are coming into our universities and college, which is fantastic, but the need for accommodation is crucial, as the Minister is aware, and the new technological universities will have powers in that regard. In my area, I constantly try to highlight the rent a room scheme and the relief that is available, whereby people can rent out a room within their house. We have to...

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (21 Sep 2022)

Aisling Dolan: Now.

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (21 Sep 2022)

Aisling Dolan: This is landmark legislation. We have a brand new Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Funding will be coming through this brand new body to our institutions. We need to ensure the funding is sufficient to allow them to achieve their maximum potential. We are fighting to maximise the funding for research for these universities. I appreciate the...

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (21 Sep 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I think I must have come in after it. It is wonderful to see this legislation. I acknowledge the work that goes on. Many people in all offices and Departments had sleepless nights. I acknowledge that this legislation is amazing and will be world class. We will see Ireland up there at the top in years to come.

Seanad: School Transport: Motion (21 Sep 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I move: That Seanad Éireann: acknowledges: - the impact of the free School Transport Scheme to mitigate increased costs of living for families in Ireland; - access for 44,000 new eligible students at primary and post-primary level to school transport; - an increase of 16% in new school transport tickets; - increased Government investment in school transport; notes the: -...

Seanad: School Transport: Motion (21 Sep 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I thank the Minister and everyone for their contributions. I am happy to conclude if everyone is happy and has had an opportunity to speak. The Minister spoke earlier.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Transport Issues: Engagement with Minister for Education (21 Sep 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I thank the Chair. There was a joint Commencement matter in the Seanad last week and this evening we have a Fine Gael motion on school transport. We are calling for an additional budget to manage the shortfall in respect of students. There are more than 6,000 students and behind each application there is a family with a story to tell. The Minister has had a fantastic initiative to reduce...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Transport Issues: Engagement with Minister for Education (21 Sep 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I thank the Minister very much.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Sep 2022)

Aisling Dolan: With the budget coming up, we are all looking to the supports that will be put in place. It is really important that we look at the fuel allowance, which the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, has been reviewing. This is hopefully something that we will look at next week. Along with the supports we put in place for individuals and those who are most vulnerable, it is crucial...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Members of the European Parliament (20 Sep 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I welcome our MEPs. I take it that they represent Ireland as a nation when they are in Dublin, as well as the east. I am speaking from the Roscommon and Galway area from the west. My questions here are specifically for Ms Fitzgerald. Reference was made to just transition, which is of major interest to me because Shannonbridge is some ten miles away from Ballinasloe and Lanesborough is...

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) (20 Sep 2022)

Aisling Dolan: Does Senator Higgins wish to continue on amendment No. 52?

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) (20 Sep 2022)

Aisling Dolan: The Minister had finished his response.

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) (20 Sep 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I will bring in Senator Warfield. Senators should note that amendments Nos. 52 to 55, inclusive, are being discussed together.

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) (20 Sep 2022)

Aisling Dolan: Amendments Nos. 56 to 58, inclusive, 75, 76, 84, 115, 142 and 143 are related and may be discussed together by agreement.

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) (20 Sep 2022)

Aisling Dolan: I welcome the visitors in the Public Gallery who are joining us for this debate. Does any other Senator wish to contribute?