Results 1,141-1,160 of 50,909 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Child Poverty (8 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 16, inclusive, together. We are retaining the child poverty and well-being programme office in the Department of the Taoiseach because we know we need to continue to build on the work to break down silos between Departments and drive delivery. We will not be able to make a decisive impact on child poverty without a whole-of-government and...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Aird for raising this issue. Deputy Collins raised a similar issue relating to financial services earlier. The Central Bank has issued a new consumer protection code relating to technology more generally. Technology and financial literacy are two very important programmes that are under way to try to educate people in order that they do not fall foul of these scammers and...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy knows well that the new procedures and protocols governing protected disclosures have been processed under the policy in place to handle such matters. I have been assured that the independent investigation by GSOC, which is investigating this matter, will be completed in due course, notwithstanding the time already lapsed since the protected disclosure was first made. Obviously,...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue of safety in the context of the safe routes to school scheme. I take on board what he has said. I will ask the Ministers responsible to look at the scheme. The Deputy has said it is taking too long. He mentioned that 421 schools are involved.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: We will see what we can do to expedite that.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: The new school in Carrignavar will be open. It may not be ready for September - it has been announced already that there will be a contingency plan for students who will be in a temporary building in Fermoy - but the works are progressing on Carrignavar. The site is an old primary school, as the Deputy knows.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: That is agreed and is progressing. Again, the number of special classes provided in the past four years has doubled and the number of students attending special classes has gone from-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----9,000 to 19,000. The population is increasing, as are the numbers identifying with special needs. Our job and obligation is to provide every child with a place and that is the objective. I am now informed - as of the latest this morning - that up to 4,000 additional places will be provided this year from the beginning of September. The aim is for every child in the coming weeks to...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: What is the name of the school?

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: I will bring this to the attention of the Minister of State for special education, Deputy Moynihan. He is working flat out with schools, as is Minister McEntee, with a view to getting solutions on the ground in given locations where the need is greatest. If the Deputy sends me the details, I will forward them to the Minister of State to pursue the case. If there is a blockage, we will see...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: Easpa uisce, an ea?

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: Sewage, gabh mo leithscéal. Níl an t-eolas sonrach agam ach déanfaidh mé fiosrú ar an gceist. Is olc an scéal é nach bhfuilimid in ann dul ar aghaidh leis na seomraí breise. Déanfaidh mé fiosrú leis an mbardas agus leis an Aire féachaint an féidir linn rud éigin a dhéanamh go gearrthéarmach chun...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: I was there on the day we announced the €50,000, which was warmly welcomed by the Deputy and by everybody else. Fair play to the Deputy, he has doubled his bet now in terms of the request. It was the first time ever a response of this kind came from Government and it was part of wider financial supports that were allocated to cancer centres across the country. Yes, Cancer Connects...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: The State is not being forced here; it is being very responsive. There are other factors afoot that have frustrated the State's endeavour to bring this to a conclusion. I have to put that on record. The State is wide open and wants to get this resolved. We have established a mediation process. There have been two mediation processes and we have a judge appointed. Apart from all of that,...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: There is a process there that hopefully we can bring to a conclusion. I can talk to the Deputy if he wishes and bring him up to speed on it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. We have about 3,000 schools in this country. When schools find themselves in financial difficulty, there is a structure and system in the Department of Education to respond to such schools. I will refer the matter to the Minister for Education. I ask the schools involved to engage with the section in the Department that deals with schools that...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: It is very disappointing-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----that only two orders have made any sort of meaningful responses, one being the €12.5 million from the Bon Secours order, which has been accepted. This is what was recommended by the Nunan committee. I pay tribute to Sheila Nunan for the work she has done. The other response concerned a building. I will have to get greater clarity in terms of its value and so on. The Minister...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: My understanding is that significant resources were put into the schools through that programme. This may not have been in the capitation category, but in terms of curriculum supports and other supports in the general area for young people in particular, including therapeutic supports for children and multidisciplinary teams. I think that has worked very well. Again, I will refer this...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: There is no need for a vote. We are going to set up the committees as quick as we can.