Results 1,361-1,380 of 1,673 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2018)

Maria Byrne: I apologise and withdraw it. Businesses in Murroe have closed down. With this construction project, a significant number of jobs will be created in the village. The village will also be developed as the driver of the area. The all-weather pitch will benefit all the villages in the surrounding area. We have further investment in urban regeneration developments. Funding has been given to...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2018)

Maria Byrne: I raise the report that was published this morning on the 51 private water connections where E. coli was found. This is very serious. I realise that at this stage many houses and group schemes are on the main connection but Irish Water will have to investigate all of the connections. The report states that more than 700 connections were not assessed. This is very important because E. coli...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Uptake of Apprenticeships and Traineeships: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2018)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Chairman. I thank the four witnesses for their informative opening statements. I would like to begin by raising an issue that came up here last week as well. I refer to the disparity in the female take-up of apprenticeships. This is a huge issue because the percentage is small. There was a skills and apprenticeships day in Limerick and the mid-west last week. It was very...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Uptake of Apprenticeships and Traineeships: Discussion (15 Nov 2018)

Maria Byrne: As I had to go the Seanad Chamber to attend to quorum duties, I apologise if I ask any question that has been asked already. I thank the four delegates for their very informative presentations. To follow up on what Deputy Catherine Martin said about an apprenticeship expo, I know that in the mid-west there was recently an apprenticeship day. Free buses were provided which collected...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Nov 2018)

Maria Byrne: I wish to raise the issue of rent pressure zones. When the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government targeted rent pressure zones last year, Limerick was not included yet rents there have gone up by over 20% in the first quarter. This is the highest and fastest growing rent increase in the country. I would like the Minister to come to the House to debate the issue in terms of...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Child Benefit Eligibility (7 Nov 2018)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Breen, to the House. He is my colleague from the mid-west and I am delighted he is here. Many people have come to my office recently who still have children in school at the age of 18. Children start school at a later age now and are usually almost five years of age before they start....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Child Benefit Eligibility (7 Nov 2018)

Maria Byrne: While I understand the additional costs involved, which would be significant, it was the case until 2010 that a child in full-time education in secondary school qualified up to the age of 19. In 2010, that was reduced to 18. Allowances have not been made for the fact that children are not starting school now until they are five years of age, which raises the age at which they finish their...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (7 Nov 2018)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I know it is about quality of life. Every report shows that the early weeks and years are the most important in the development and growth of a baby. Many people have contacted my office to ask about when this Bill will come into force or how far off it is. I welcome its sentiments and the fact that in principle, the Government will support...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (7 Nov 2018)

Maria Byrne: Tomorrow morning at 10.30 a.m.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Report on Positive Mental Health in Schools: Minister for Education and Skills (18 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister and thank him for his attendance. I wish him all the best in his new role. I know how committed he is to it. His very good opening statement addressed the importance of working together. The report of the committee addressed well-being and mental health and a significant amount of work was done by its members in that regard. A primary school in Moyross, County...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Staff Recruitment (17 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: The Minister of State is very welcome. I welcome Professor Maura Adshead from the school of politics and public administration at the University of Limerick, who is in the Public Gallery. She is shadowing me for the day so it will be an interesting experience for both of us. I am here to enquire about an update on the advertisement for a specialist MS nurse for University Hospital...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Staff Recruitment (17 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: I note the Minister of State acknowledged how the important the service provided by the MS specialist nurse is. The disappointment I feel is because something similar was said last May. It was said it would be prioritised. As we are midway through October, I seek a commitment from the Minister of State that he will keep up the pressure on the hospital group to advertise this post and get...

Seanad: Traveller Culture and History in Education Bill 2018: Committee Stage (17 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister, Deputy McHugh, and congratulate him on his appointment. I compliment Senators Kelleher, Ruane and Grace O'Sullivan on bringing this Bill forward. It is very important legislation. I am aware that the former Minister, Deputy Bruton, had asked the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, for reports. I am aware that Bill is pending as well. The Bills...

Seanad: Traveller Culture and History in Education Bill 2018: Committee Stage (17 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: I had intended in my earlier remarks to distance myself from the statements of the presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Casey, regarding Travellers. I do not support his comments in that regard.

Seanad: Traveller Culture and History in Education Bill 2018: Committee Stage (17 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Traveller Culture and History in Education Bill 2018: Committee Stage (17 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: It is not often that happens, so I thank Senator Reilly.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: There are very few gentlemen around here, whatever the party. I acknowledge International Day of the Girl. I also acknowledge the findings of the report from Plan International Ireland. Dr. Scally and Dr. Denton were before the Joint Committee on Health yesterday to discuss their findings that some of the people whose results were not referred within 18 months were not sent back a second...

Seanad: Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Order for Second Stage (10 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Seanad: Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage (10 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State to the House to discuss this important issue. I compliment QQI on the work it has done to date. It has engaged in consultation and has highlighted some parts of the Bill that need to be improved. I know the Minister of State is bringing a number of proposals before us today on foot of that consultation. I worked closely with a number of colleges when I was...