Results 81-100 of 133 for children speaker:Robbie Gallagher

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Road Network (14 Jun 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: ...from cities to get a picture of how bad rural roads are. The roads are so bad at the moment that many of them are impassable. It is very unfair to ask taxpayers and citizens of this country to travel on such roads on a daily basis as they bring their children to school or go to work. It is time for action. While I do not mean to pre-empt the Minister's response, I have no doubt that he...

Seanad: Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Second Stage (13 Jun 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: ...outlining the different sections of the Bill in great detail. The Fianna Fáil Party is pleased to support the Bill, which brings clarity to the issue of admissions for parents, teachers, schools, children and everyone else involved. As the Minister stated, the legislation is long overdue. It is good that we have finally reached this point. Thankfully, the problem the Bill...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: ...of great concern. The old and the young are exceptionally vulnerable to death and serious injury on farms. Animals, machinery and slurry pits are among the greatest dangers posed to adults and children on family farms. The nature of the accidents on our farms can have long-lasting, heartbreaking and devastating impacts on families. At this time of year, farmers are exceptionally busy...

Seanad: Special Education Provision: Statements (16 May 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: ...up the debate? As the Minister observed, the progress made in special needs provision is very positive. There is much more that we can do but much progress has been made of which we can be proud. Our children will be its beneficiaries. I now turn to school transport. The Minister will not need me to remind him of the issues on this that all of us across the country encountered last...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 May 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: ...has happened in our health service. Ms Mhic Mhathúna went on to describe a dream she had that she was passing away and losing her life but she did not get the opportunity to say goodbye to her children. It was heartbreaking and I cannot imagine for one minute what that lady and her family are going through. We owe it to her and many others to get to the bottom of this so that...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: ..., such as insurance, lighting, heating and other basic items. It is regrettable that school principals and teachers are preoccupied with fundraising measures rather than concentrating on the job they are qualified to do, teaching our children. By extension, it is unfair to the children and to their parents. The children lose valuable teaching time because the teachers are preoccupied...

Seanad: An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht 2018: An Dara Céim - Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2018: Second Stage (27 Mar 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: ...regardless of how we feel, banging on their door to tell them what we are doing. Reasonable and respectful arguments are being made on both sides and everyone wants to do what they feel is right for women, children and families. There is no right or wrong in this case. It is entirely up to the individual to do what they see fit and I fully respect that. Regrettably, the issue of young...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: ...does that mean? In County Monaghan, in both Carrickmacross and Monaghan town, GPs have closed their doors to new patients completely. I encountered a young couple who returned home with their two children to set up life again in County Monaghan. They approached every GP in the town and none would take them on. Where are these people meant to go? I can only imagine how stressful that...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Mr. Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh (21 Mar 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: ...more years of good health and happiness. I have no doubt that he will continue to promote Gaelic games and the Irish language. An advertisement for the Allianz football leagues that is running on RTÉ at present sets a unique and iconic scene. It shows Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, after being involved with the GAA for many years, with some children at an under age...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Teacher Recruitment: Discussion (20 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: ...been knocking on the Department's door highlighting there was a problem coming down the track? It is especially sickening and sad that, as someone mentioned in the contributions, it is our children, and our most vulnerable children at that, who are losing out. That is unforgivable of the Department. It is not fair on the teachers and all those who work in the school environment...

Seanad: Education (Welfare) (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (6 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: ...my Labour Party colleague on bringing forward this sensible and worthwhile Bill which we in Fianna Fáil, along with others, are very happy to support. I welcome the fact that Department of Children and Youth Affairs would have the power to intervene at a much earlier age, something which is vitally important. The saying "A stitch in time saves nine" comes to mind in respect of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: ...that was good about being a member of the Garda Síochána. He totally immersed himself in life in County Louth. His brutal killing leaves his wife Caroline without a husband and his two children without a father. I earnestly appeal to anyone who has any information to come forward so that his wife and extended family can get closure on this terrible event. It is never too late...

Seanad: Mandatory Reporting: Statements (25 Jan 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: ..., mandated reporters are persons who, by virtue of their training, responsibilities and experience, should have an awareness of issues relating to child protection. These professionals either work with children or young people, or are in a service sector that encounters adults or families and children where there is a risk of abuse and neglect. Mandated persons must report to Tusla if...

Seanad: Special Needs Assistants: Motion (13 Dec 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: ...have been consistently critical of the manner in which the Government allocates SNAs. It is something that has been going on now over a four year period. It is very unfair on SNAs, the schools, the boards of management and the children. The Government's treatment of people employed as SNAs is reprehensible and completely lacking in respect. When the 2016-2017 school year ended,...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: ...they will enjoy the occasion and that members will enjoy their singing this evening. It is with great disappointment that I learned of the Government decision to remove the over-age exemption for children with disabilities in the early childhood care and education, ECCE, scheme. It is very regrettable that the exemption is to be removed from the scheme from September 2018. The issue is...

Seanad: Student Universal Support Ireland: Statements (23 Nov 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: ...aspect of education. They talk about the rigidity and ruthlessness of the SUSI eligibility guidelines. I will give an example. I encountered a case recently in which two of a family with 11 children were going to college. They were slightly over the threshold and hoped that some consideration would be given to the size of the family to enable the two children to go to college....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Tackling Obesity and the Promotion of Healthy Eating in Schools: Discussion (24 Oct 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome the delegates and thank them for their informative presentations. As colleagues noted, when it comes to healthy living habits, problems often begin before children arrive in school. As well as educating children, we also must educate their parents. That is a particular challenge we face in this area. Children are only at school for X number of hours a day and it may be too late...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: ...see the effects of this problem in our classrooms. There is a shortage of teachers. Unqualified personnel are being asked to stand in to teach some subjects. Clearly, that is not on. It is affecting young children who are in dire need of proper teaching. We have been aware for some time that many younger teachers book flights as soon as they are qualified so they can teach in Dubai or...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: ...for the year ahead. I would like to see the Minister address the House on the issue so that it can be sorted out for the benefit of not just the special needs assistants and the schools, but the children who most need their help. I join others in commending everyone involved in the response to yesterday's storm. The point made by my colleague on the national broadcaster is an important...

Seanad: Well-being in Schools: Statements (4 Oct 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: ...have ever discussed in the House and I contend it is one of the most important issues Deputy Bruton will ever deal with as Minister for Education and Skills. The good health and well-being of our children in school is critical to their success, not just at school but also in their lives after school. Teachers play a vital role in the promotion of positive mental health in our schools and...