Results 941-960 of 1,585 for speaker:Micheál Carrigy

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Oct 2022)

Micheál Carrigy: I support the comments of Senators Lombard and Ahearn regarding a debate on schools, in particular, special schools. Yesterday, we held a public session of the Joint Committee on Autism. I thank the Leader for the support that she gave me while we were pushing to get the committee put in place. It is giving the opportunity to parents, in particular, and families to come in and talk about...

Seanad: School Transport: Statements (26 Oct 2022)

Micheál Carrigy: My first point is slightly off topic, but I thank the Minister for the early announcement of €40 million in funding for the summer programme 2023. I am Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Autism and that is an issue we have highlighted. We passed a resolution at yesterday's meeting and will issue a report to both Houses. The funding has been put there by the Government for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Forestry Sector (25 Oct 2022)

Micheál Carrigy: I thank the Acting Chairperson and the Minister for taking this important Commencement matter. I am speaking on behalf of farmers in my local community in Longford-Westmeath. I have met the chair of the forestry committee of the Irish Farmers' Association, IFA, and individual landowners who are looking for certainty and want to plant in future. I have spoken to Glennon Brothers, one of the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Forestry Sector (25 Oct 2022)

Micheál Carrigy: Following on from Senator Lombard's comments, I am also concerned about this matter. We are hearing about job losses, a lack of confidence, no timelines and blockages. We need certainty, as do the people in this industry considering laying off employees and the landowners contemplating alternatives. Otherwise, we are not going to hit the ambitious targets we have set out for afforestation.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Oct 2022)

Micheál Carrigy: I concur with the comments and second the proposal from Senator Burke regarding taxis. The exact same problem exists in my own area in a number of towns, where a parent is not able to transfer the business to a son who is willing to run the business and where there is a shortage of taxis. The vehicles are wheelchair accessible but they cannot transfer the licence. As Senator Burke said,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Business of Joint Committee (25 Oct 2022)

Micheál Carrigy: I welcome everyone to the meeting. Apologies have been received from Deputy Carroll MacNeill. Deputy Joan Collins is on the meeting's call but, unfortunately, is not within Leinster House, so she will not be able to contribute. However, I have a question she would like to ask. Before we start our business, I will read some formal notices and the Covid-19 code of conduct. All of those...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Summer Programme 2023: Motion (25 Oct 2022)

Micheál Carrigy: The second item is a motion from the committee members, which was proposed and forwarded by Deputy Buckley on behalf of the committee and which was amended at our last private session and which we asked to be considered today. I call on Deputy Buckley to move the motion on behalf of the committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Summer Programme 2023: Motion (25 Oct 2022)

Micheál Carrigy: Would Deputy Buckley like to make a comment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Summer Programme 2023: Motion (25 Oct 2022)

Micheál Carrigy: Is the motion agreed? Agreed. The resolution of the committee, which has all-party support, is in response to the urgent situation which has arisen around the summer programme 2023. I request the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, to make specific arrangements for next year's scheme, which we believe will benefit children with autism. It is the opinion of the committee that immediate...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Micheál Carrigy: The third item on the agenda is the continuation of our consideration of autism policy and we will have two sessions. Session A will be with parents' representatives and session B will be with academics. I welcome our witnesses to the first session today. We are joined by Ms Noeleen Smith and Ms Trina Boylan from Cavan Autism Parents Support, CAPS; Ms Aisling Byrne of Dedicated Children's...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Micheál Carrigy: We might reduce members' speaking time to four minutes for questions and answers. I was quite liberal with the statements from the three groups and we went well over time but it was important that all three groups were allowed to read their full statements as they were powerful statements. Well done to them. We have received apologies from Deputy Carroll MacNeill.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Micheál Carrigy: That is what our motion is about and why we have issued it today. We recognise we need to broaden the type of professionals who work in the system. Representatives of the Maltese Government were here this weekend and I know the Department officials have met them. I believe there is a will to expand the programme for next year and I would like to see that replicated by the schools. We have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Micheál Carrigy: That is unbelievable and not acceptable.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Micheál Carrigy: I thank Senator Ardagh. Our next speaker is Deputy Pat Buckley.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Micheál Carrigy: Deputy Ó Murchú is not a member of the committee but-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Micheál Carrigy: -----he has consistently attended meetings because of an interest he has in this area.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Micheál Carrigy: I thank the witnesses for the work they and their groups have done, not only for their own children but for all children in their communities. It is not right or proper that parents and voluntary groups have to campaign so hard to get the services our children are entitled to. I speak as a parent as well. I have an autistic son. It is my job as a parent to make sure he reaches his...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Micheál Carrigy: I thank Ms Kenny for that. I am a firm believer in the school inclusion model and in bringing the therapies into schools. I am aware that a pilot took place in the CHO 7 area, which, I understand, comprises Kildare, Meath and Dublin, but that report has not been published yet.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Micheál Carrigy: From what I hear, it was quite successful.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Micheál Carrigy: One theme that was common among all of our guests' contributions was the emphasis on the early intervention scheme. Would any of the witnesses like to make a final comment or statement before we conclude this session?