Results 81-100 of 164 for speaker:John Connolly

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (4 Mar 2025)

John Connolly: 162. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm that the Galway Roads Project Office, consisting of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Galway County Council and Galway City Council, will lodge the updated information to An Bord Pleanála for the reassessment of the Galway city ring road project prior to the April 2025 deadline; if the project continues to enjoy...

Housing Commission Report: Statements (27 Feb 2025)

John Connolly: Like those in every other portfolio and in every other role, I wish the Minister well. I wish every Minister who has some part to play in resolving this issue well. It is our greatest challenge. We have had a number of debates in recent times on the health service and mental health service, and there are significant challenges in all those areas. However, resolving the housing issue will...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Feb 2025)

John Connolly: The accident and emergency unit at University Hospital Galway has been the subject of much political commentary for many years. Many taoisigh and health Ministers have recognised the facility is not meeting the needs of the large population it is designed to serve and it is of a substandard nature. The Tánaiste will be aware of his own time as Minister for Health. The facility is now...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Schemes (27 Feb 2025)

John Connolly: 15. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken to establish a new DEIS plus scheme, as per the programme for Government commitment. [8506/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Schemes (27 Feb 2025)

John Connolly: The commitment in the programme for Government to establish a new DEIS plus scheme for schools is very welcome. What steps will be taken within the Department to develop that scheme? The existing scheme has been reflected on very positively by both schools and teachers who participate in what are currently considered DEIS schools and it has had independent verification of its success by...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Schemes (27 Feb 2025)

John Connolly: The Minister's comments on closing the gap between DEIS and non-DEIS schools are interesting because in a number of our schools, the teaching personnel observe a level of disadvantage among pupils that is probably not recognised under the scheme. This is even in terms of how the existing scheme is calculated, for lack of a better term, or how schools are assessed for their inclusion. One...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Schemes (27 Feb 2025)

John Connolly: One of the advantages DEIS schools enjoy over non-DEIS schools is the position of the home school community liaison teacher. This is a valuable position that would be valued in any school. The Minister might look at closing the gap between DEIS and non-DEIS schools and providing additional roles. We could arrive at a position whereby a home school liaison officer might work with several...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Schemes (27 Feb 2025)

John Connolly: 17. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills what steps will be taken to operationalise the commitment in the programme for Government to introduce a new national small schools project for all 1,300 small primary schools to protect these school communities and develop new administrative supports. [8505/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Schemes (27 Feb 2025)

John Connolly: Another welcome initiative in the programme for Government is the extension of a pilot scheme that has been running in several smaller schools that have come together to seek the synergy of their operations within the community and how they might get administrative support from the Department. The schools involved in this scheme went about their business in different manners and different...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Schemes (27 Feb 2025)

John Connolly: We all recognise the importance of small schools within communities, particularly in communities that might have suffered the loss of other services. We are all familiar with towns and villages throughout the country that might have lost banking and post office services. There is always an outcry rightly when these things occur but the school should be sacrosanct within that. If we can...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (27 Feb 2025)

John Connolly: 99. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the plans he has in place to expand the eligibility criteria for the free travel pass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8316/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (27 Feb 2025)

John Connolly: 142. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to report on his Department’s humanitarian assistance for those impacted by storm Éowyn in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8317/25]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Funding (27 Feb 2025)

John Connolly: 357. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a funding mechanism exists that allows local authorities, or community organisations, to fund the development of enhancement of playgrounds. [8840/25]

The Future of Healthcare for Longer, Healthier Lives: Statements (26 Feb 2025)

John Connolly: I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the debate. It was not my intention to mention the briefing that we received today from the care group but, such was the moving personal testimony from people who have suffered from eating disorders and their family members, it would be unbecoming not to mention it. Those who attended became much more aware of the issue today. Many there...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Weather Events (26 Feb 2025)

John Connolly: I thank the Tánaiste for his answer to this point. I recognise in his response that he has outlined the challenge Storm Éowyn brought to certain parts of the country. However we like to present it and would contest this position, though, there is a perception in some constituencies, particularly on the western seaboard and midlands and Border area that had the impact of Storm...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Weather Events (26 Feb 2025)

John Connolly: I thank the Tánaiste for his response. It is clear from his response that he recognises the necessity of the review and how in-depth it needs to be. The Tánaiste also has a clear understanding of the suffering people endured. In terms of the range of skills that is available to the Defence Forces, one area that comes to mind is medical and support skills for people who are...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Weather Events (26 Feb 2025)

John Connolly: 40. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will outline any occasion during or in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn when the Defence Forces were asked to aid the civil authorities or the civil power, as per their remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5787/25]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (26 Feb 2025)

John Connolly: 18. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the efforts being made to establish a unit of the Naval Reserve in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5786/25]

Disability: Statements (25 Feb 2025)

John Connolly: One of the commitments in the programme for Government relates to the delivery of a step change in disability services. This is a very welcome and ambitious objective. Should it come to fruition in five years' time, we would be able to reflect positively on it. This Government would leave a legacy of change in this area should it come to pass, and we all hope that it will. My professional...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (25 Feb 2025)

John Connolly: 180. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue to a person in County Galway (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing said passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7170/25]