Results 101-120 of 5,782 for speaker:James Lawless

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Oideachas Gaeltachta (27 Mar 2025)

James Lawless: Gabh mo leithscéal as Béarla a labhairt sa supplementary but I must do so for the sake of the accuracy of the reply. My Gaeilge is not quite as líofa as an Teachta Ó Snodaigh's, although I am ag foghlaim mo Ghaeilge arís gach lá. I completely agree with the Deputy about the 5,000 students coming through and the need for provision to match that at every level...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Oideachas Gaeltachta (27 Mar 2025)

James Lawless: Cinnte. Cloisim everything the Deputy says. Táim very much aware of the issues that he raises. There is a lot of sense there and I will take that on board.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Student Accommodation (27 Mar 2025)

James Lawless: Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Deputy for his kind words and equally offer him comhghairdeas on his election. It is good to see him here representing Kildare North. In terms of the student accommodation in Maynooth University, at the outset I should say again that I fully appreciate the importance, and am committed to the provision, of high-quality, affordable, multi-option student...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Student Accommodation (27 Mar 2025)

James Lawless: I fully agree and share the Deputy's ambition for Maynooth. For that reason, I immediately made inquiries about progressing that project when I took office. A total of 116 student beds will come on stream this year in Maynooth. The university will be first to come out of that programme. I am also meeting the university president, Ms Eeva Leinonen, tomorrow. I will be visiting Maynooth...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Student Accommodation (27 Mar 2025)

James Lawless: I will respond in reverse order, taking Deputy Conway-Walsh's points first. I am not sure I accept that there is a line of student accommodation strategies from here to Mayo. Student accommodation was not a government function until very recently, when it came into my Department. It is an easy thing to throw out in a debate but I do not know how accurate it is. I presume the Deputy...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (27 Mar 2025)

James Lawless: This is a very serious issue which I take on board. It is one I am keen to progress. It is governed by the national access plan for higher education 2022-28 which sets out the ambition for an inclusive and diverse higher education sector. An important component of that plan is its recognition and naming of additional priority groups which are considered marginalised or disadvantaged....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (27 Mar 2025)

James Lawless: I do not disagree with any of that. That is why my Department is rolling out multiple diverse and more flexible pathways and financial supports and also non-financial supports. I spoke about the variety of other grant aids and the maintenance grant and how various social protection payments are disregarded from those grants to ensure there is no loss of income for people who take up a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (27 Mar 2025)

James Lawless: I will not repeat myself but all the measures I introduced in terms of flexibility, financial supports, non-traditional routes to education and geographically distributed access points, including those close to the learner's home, will contribute to and support that endeavour. I hope they are already assisting learners.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Oideachas Gaeltachta (27 Mar 2025)

James Lawless: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Ó Snodaigh agus leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach as ucht na ceiste seo. Freagróidh mé i nGaeilge í, ach ós rud é nach bhfuil mo chuid Gaeilge chomh láidir le Gaeilge an Teachta Ó Snodaigh, rud a bhfuilim ag obair go dian air chun feabhas a chur air, freagróidh mé na ceisteanna forlíontacha i...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Oideachas Gaeltachta (27 Mar 2025)

James Lawless: An bhfuil mé thar am? Ceart go leor.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Further and Higher Education (27 Mar 2025)

James Lawless: The Deputy is being a little bit elastic in his supplementary question. A question on Galway and Roscommon ETB has morphed to include pharmaceutical course provision at the Waterford campus of SETU. I will run with it, however.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Further and Higher Education (27 Mar 2025)

James Lawless: We are also on the theme of constructive collaboration. I do not know if the Deputy was in the Chamber for my interaction with Deputy Fitzmaurice but I fully agree with both Deputies. I am very keen to see these courses proceed. The provision on high-end professional qualifications in areas such as veterinary science and pharmaceuticals will be a hallmark of the technological universities....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Student Accommodation (27 Mar 2025)

James Lawless: I thank the Deputy. She mentioned the audiovisual room presentations and so forth. As I have told the House this morning, I am a new Minister and am reading into the brief. If Members know of groups or interested parties who wish to engage with me, they should feel free to direct them my way. I cannot guarantee I will meet everybody every time but I will do my best to meet with...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Student Accommodation (27 Mar 2025)

James Lawless: As does mine.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Student Accommodation (27 Mar 2025)

James Lawless: My daughter also commutes to college and I would prefer if she did not have to commute such a distance. I see at first hand that it can detract from quality of life. I have met student unions, most recently the union in Maynooth, and have heard that message conveyed. I completely get it and appreciate it. On the framework being voluntary rather than mandatory, there is always a risk at...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Student Accommodation (27 Mar 2025)

James Lawless: On ATU, I recently sanctioned the purchase of 16 acres by ATU Sligo. This is a site just opposite the college campus. The Deputy may be aware of it. That will come on stream in due course.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Student Accommodation (27 Mar 2025)

James Lawless: The Deputy is talking about Mayo. All politics is local. I understand that. I might have to come back to her on the details of the situation in Mayo.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Third Level Education (27 Mar 2025)

James Lawless: I completely agree with the Deputy. My constituency is in neither catchment but is an agricultural constituency. It is an equine constituency. County Kildare is the home of the horses. I know many people who are interested in these courses and who tell me about the ongoing demand, the need for placements and the need for vets, including large animal vets. Small practice is its own area,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Further and Higher Education (27 Mar 2025)

James Lawless: I am aware of the Deputy's interest, and indeed the interest of the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin, in all items on the west coast, and this development no less. I know the Deputy is well aware that Galway and Roscommon ETB is being supported by SOLAS in developing its preliminary business case proposal under the FET college of the future major projects fund. The proposal put forward...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Further and Higher Education (27 Mar 2025)

James Lawless: For the record, as regards Galway and Roscommon ETB, I think €1.03 million in funding just in the current year is already earmarked, even aside from this project. I am aware, however, that there was a request for the square footage to be reduced. I think there was an application for 25,000 sq. m. The college was invited to submit a revised business case. There was a meeting with...