Results 121-133 of 133 for children speaker:Robbie Gallagher

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2016)

Robbie Gallagher: I wish to raise the issue of gender imbalance in the primary teaching sector and the message that sends out to our children. An interesting statistic that highlights this problem shows that in the early 1960s, nearly 40% of all primary teachers were male. Today that figure is less than 15%. We need to get a grip on this issue because what kind of message are we sending out to our school...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Robbie Gallagher: ...conclusion, although I am struggling at the moment. I have discussed the question with people from households in which incomes would be classified as low. They have concerns when it comes to their children going to college. They maintain they are simply unable to afford it, as things stand. The question of fees is one issue, but affording and even locating accommodation, especially in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Children with Special Educational Needs: Discussion (27 Oct 2016)

Robbie Gallagher: ...presentations. It is very encouraging to hear that there has been such positive feedback from the pilot to date. School principals raise the issue of class size as an impediment to identifying children with special educational needs. Is that the elephant in the room when it comes to identifying children with difficulties? Some rural schools are concerned that they might lose out...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2016)

Robbie Gallagher: I wish to raise the issue of children with arthritis waiting for appointments. The number of children waiting more than 18 months to see an expert in juvenile arthritis has increased from 22 to 110 between January and the end of August this year. That is a 400% increase in the number of children and teenagers waiting at least 18 months. Figures released up to the end of August reveal that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: State Examinations: Motions (13 Oct 2016)

Robbie Gallagher: The common thread running through these three motions is the children and the stress this situation is causing them at a time, as outlined by Deputy Martin in her presentation, when they are faced with taking their first State examination, which in itself is a stressful enough experience. This discussion has been worthwhile. Ultimately all we are seeking is an outcome. It is unfortunate...

Seanad: Action Plan for Education: Statements (6 Oct 2016)

Robbie Gallagher: ...now we are rated third worst among all EU countries for primary level physical education and seventh worst for second level PE. The objective should be to improve overall learning outcomes and wellbeing for children. We have serious concerns about the new, revised models being proposed for resources for children with special educational needs. Many believe that this reorganisation of...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2016)

Robbie Gallagher: ...increased to 60%. We have the highest level of participation at third level in the European Union. This is a statistic of which we can all be proud. Unfortunately, finding accommodation for our children, particularly in this city, has become a serious problem. In 2014, the Higher Education Authority said the number of student beds was approximately 31,000. Today, it is reckoned there...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2016)

Robbie Gallagher: ...Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust was born. Since then, 197 bodies have been repatriated by that trust. When I speak of a trust, I am speaking of a husband and wife, Colin and Eithne Bell, and their children. I commend them on the work they do in a voluntary capacity. I will give Members some idea of the work the trust does. In November 2015 the bodies of eight young Irish people had to...

Seanad: Farm Safety: Statements (6 Jul 2016)

Robbie Gallagher: ...associated with farm vehicles and machinery. Over the past five months of this year, five people have lost their lives in farm accidents. Over the last ten years, 75% of fatal accidents involving children were associated with tractors, 17% with falls or collapses and 85 with drowning. A huge amount of farm work is done by individuals working alone from early morning to late at night....

Seanad: United Kingdom Referendum on European Union Membership: Statements (28 Jun 2016)

Robbie Gallagher: ...out in society not just in the UK, but in this State. If we, as a society, do not support those communities, should we really be that surprised that the voices of discord get a hearing? If we do not educate children and people with respect to choices and real consequences in a clear and truthful manner, should we really be that surprised if they choose protest over debate or...

Seanad: EU-UK Relations: Statements (22 Jun 2016)

Robbie Gallagher: ...of bilingual signs, but that is all. Thousands of people pass over the Border every day on their way to work, for shopping or on day trips. If one visits a school along the Border one will find children with parents, grandparents or other family members from across the Border, but it is not just families. Farms, businesses and property straddle the Border as well. Thousands of people...

Seanad: Death of Jo Cox, MP: Expressions of Sympathy (21 Jun 2016)

Robbie Gallagher: ...in politics - positive, generous, hard working, dedicated and so much more. What a fantastic ambassador for women in politics she was. So much potential cut short. My sympathy to her husband and children, her extended family and friends, her party and all who knew her. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Seanad: Poverty and Homelessness: Motion (15 Jun 2016)

Robbie Gallagher: .... Who in this room can say they have not made mistakes or done things they might regret today? I agree with Senator Devine that this is an emergency. We throw out statistics: tonight 2,121 children will sleep in emergency accommodation, 1,700 of those in this city alone but as the Senator said, behind each of those is a family. We can only look in horror at what the repercussions of...