Results 881-900 of 2,066 for speaker:Joe Flaherty

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Schemes (19 Apr 2023)

Joe Flaherty: 68. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if, notwithstanding the decision on the basic income scheme for a person (details supplied), there is any recourse that a review can be made on the decision; and if not, if there is an opportunity to reapply for the scheme again in 2023. [18446/23]

Irish Sheep Sector: Statements (30 Mar 2023)

Joe Flaherty: I welcome this opportunity to discuss the state of the sheep sector. I had hoped the Minister could have used today's slot to announce additional supports for the sector. Notwithstanding that, I welcome his commitment that his Department is continuing to investigate what additional supports can be made available to support the sector. I stress, though, to the Minister and the Department...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education and Training Provision (30 Mar 2023)

Joe Flaherty: I thank the Minister. I welcome the second half of the group of sixth year pupils from the Newtownforbes national school, Scoil Mhuire. I am conscious that the last meeting of the council took place in October. At that time, there was a discussion on potential policy directions for priority under the theme of strengthening the governance to build a joined-up skills ecosystem. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (30 Mar 2023)

Joe Flaherty: 59. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will address an anomaly where recently approved applications under the undocumented scheme are precluded from the SUSI grant support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15551/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (30 Mar 2023)

Joe Flaherty: I welcome the students from Scoil Mhuire National School in Newtown Forbes, who have a keen interest in further education. Will the Department help to address an anomaly whereby recently approved applications under the undocumented scheme are precluded from Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, grants, and will the Minister make a statement on the matter, please?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (30 Mar 2023)

Joe Flaherty: I thank the Minister for his reply. I am reminded of the supermarket offer, "Buy one, get one free," as he is covering both of his Departments. It is timely for me and some of the other Deputies present. I welcome the Minister's update. It is the most promising update I have received to this point. This is a major issue. Many families that came here are, strictly speaking,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (30 Mar 2023)

Joe Flaherty: I appreciate that, if the student were naturalised, it would remedy the situation, but that is an expensive route for a family that is only after exiting undocumented status to take. Even when we try to do things right, there are sometimes unintended consequences. This is one of those situations. I welcome that the Minister will engage with both of his Departments on trying to find a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education and Training Provision (30 Mar 2023)

Joe Flaherty: I am a most unlikely sub. Will the Minister provide an update on the work of the National Skills Council, including its proposed 2023 work plan, and make a statement on the matter?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education and Training Provision (30 Mar 2023)

Joe Flaherty: The OECD report will be timely and will inform what is a dynamic sector for us. The council brings education and training providers together with representatives from business to respond effectively to skill needs. Every Deputy will agree that the council is a forum that has effected significant change. This is an evolving scene, with the training needs of multiple industries changing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Joe Flaherty: I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee. I will start with Ms Clinton. Sometimes we are very cynical about Americans but they seem to have stolen a march on us in this area. A service provider from New York has come over and done some work with St. Christopher's Services disability centre in Longford. It referenced the quota in place for employers in the United States that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Joe Flaherty: We are probably some distance down the road from it. Does Project SEARCH have a presence in Ireland at present?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Joe Flaherty: That was referenced earlier.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Joe Flaherty: What does it need to scale? Some well-intentioned person decided to go with it in Naas. Does it need a significant push to try to replicate it throughout the country?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Joe Flaherty: We are fortunate to be members of this committee. Something we are learning is that we need transitional services. They are key. Reflecting on what Ms Clinton has said, we are probably looking at a multidisciplinary and multidepartmental team involving the Departments with responsibility for further education, health, education and social protection. If people and families are fortunate...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Joe Flaherty: I would imagine that would be an easy fix. If I am in receipt of the disability allowance and I manage to get a job, I can go for it but I will need that security blanket whereby, if it does not work out, I will not have to engage in a battle royal to get back my payment. Is that correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Joe Flaherty: I commend Ms Tonge on the wonderful work she is doing. Her centre has a range of supports and that is evolving all the time. Does she see any obvious gaps in the supports it is providing? Is there something else she has realised, perhaps in the past year or so, that it should be doing?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Joe Flaherty: A dedicated service.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Joe Flaherty: I am just conscious of time and the Chair might indulge me with one further question. We have mentioned time, and the other big issue is money. In my experience, the SUSI grant is not autism friendly, not least if the student struggles during the year. I am not speaking specifically about UCD but I have come across several instances of students who have begun first year, really struggled...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Joe Flaherty: I am conscious of one student whose application has just come through today and the same is true in respect of other branches. Students have almost completed their first year the second time around, therefore, and their grants are only just coming through. Is there anything else we could do within SUSI to assist students, aside from making repeating easier? Perhaps we could look at...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Nursing Homes (28 Mar 2023)

Joe Flaherty: 92. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will prioritise the right of homeowners in nursing homes to rent out their vacant homes without it affecting their non-contributory pension entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15137/23]