Results 1,161-1,180 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is linked to that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is really important because I agree with the Minister that some of those kids, who are not academic even at junior certificate level, need that parallel system into which they can move - that apprenticeship form. However, when one goes to the PLCs offering that, they cannot take students after junior certificate, so that needs to change.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Minister has not addressed two points. Around the table, we acknowledge that resources are an issue. Will the Minister appoint the co-ordinators of assessments for different schools? When will the announcement be made? How good is the JCSA to the 10% of students who drop out before leaving certificate? They are the most disadvantaged of the lot. The Minister has a duty to ensure...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Why does the Minister not make an announcement? That would show he is moving ahead. I am serious.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: For that reason, the Minister, Deputy James Reilly, must be brought before the House to answer these important questions. Very soon Ballinasloe is going to be closed down entirely. Its industry and health services are gone-----

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am on the side of Ballinasloe. Unless the truth is spoken in the very near future by the Minister with responsibility for the relevant portfolio, there will be no way for us to know where we are going.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: With respect, the Senator is not the Minister. I must express my dismay at the fact that the Guerin report is not included in the Order of Business to be dealt with either here or in the Dáil this week.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I understand that, but I would like the Leader to indicate when the report will be dealt with in the Seanad which is not sitting next week. It vindicates the whistleblowers involved in the context of the considerable service they have done the State. I have been particularly struck by the public's reaction to the report and its core sense of justice in respect of the issue to which it...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I put my question.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I take the opportunity to express my concern about a report in today's edition of the Irish Independenton easy mortgages for first-time buyers being shored up by the Government. I ask the Leader to ensure a debate takes place on the matter. We do not want further reckless lending. On the previous occasion the banks went bust, it cost us €64 billion.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Was it proposed to them? Has the Minister said to them: "Teachers and unions, I will work with you to ensure you have a component of external assessment"?

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is important that the truth of this issue be put on the record of the House. I am located in Galway west and have received calls regarding the Portiuncula issue. There is a fear that the service might be lost. I have no doubt there is a report on it, but perhaps it is now an obsolete report.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am saying that I do not know whether it is or not.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: We need to get to the truth.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: There needs to be accountability.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I will conclude. What is the Minister's plan for these children if the junior certificate award does not have a State component of objective assessment, one that would give them credibility if they have to move?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: There is always an external assessor.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Hear, hear.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I welcome the Minister and the panel. I am excited about the content, particular approach and capacity for creativity and critical thinking in the proposed new junior certificate and the reform. I do not agree with the Minister that we have plenty of time left.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills (13 May 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I do not have a phone. I do not believe we have plenty of time left. We are in a political stalemate. The unions have turned their backs on the Minister. We are in an information vacuum which is making the situation worse. I do not often say this but my PhD was in the area of instruction, curriculum and assessment. All of the models I examined believed in the integrity of the...