Results 1,401-1,420 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Minister is welcome to the House and I welcome his action on this issue. As other Members have stated, no blame is attached to the present Administration for the cause of the problem. However, I have considerable concerns regarding the cost to the State and the scale of the problem, which I believe to have been underestimated in the Minister's contribution today. As I do not believe...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: General Scheme of Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: But not least.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: General Scheme of Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I was referring to the post-selection phase, when some children are still on the waiting list.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: General Scheme of Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am not really obtaining an answer to my question. What I am trying to get at does not really apply to gaelscoileanna. I understand they are different and that they must have access to much wider catchment areas. I was referring to areas within parishes in which there is high population growth and where there are five or six primary schools. As a result of the fact that these schools...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: General Scheme of Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I accept that this probably does not apply to Mr. Whyte's group either. All I am seeking is an answer to the question I asked.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: General Scheme of Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The question is not specific to anyone; it is more theoretical in nature.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: General Scheme of Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: No; the witnesses are educators.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: General Scheme of Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: That would be a minimum. I am not referring to a maximum level; rather, I am concerned with the minimum level. As others have stated, some schools are rejecting children with special needs on the basis that they do not have adequate resources and they talk their parents out of enrolling them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: General Scheme of Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The parents are far more highly motivated.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: General Scheme of Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I ask if Ken Whyte could respond to the questions I asked.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: General Scheme of Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I welcome the witnesses and apologise for leaving the meeting earlier. I had to speak to an amendment I had tabled in the Seanad. With that in mind, I apologise if I repeat something that was said in my absence. The Bill is very important as this issue could affect the child of anyone present. The issue is particularly important in areas of rapid population growth, including Galway where...

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I asked the Minister of State a question but he did not answer it. I will ask him again. He said he wished to ensure fairness. I agree that income limits had to be reduced. I have no difficulty with that, but I want to see them applied fairly to everyone. How does the Minister of State justify the anomaly that the ceiling for a couple who are married or in civil partnership is...

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Yes.

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It would be an alternative proposal.

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Minister of State saw my proposal in the amendment.

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It falls on the basis that the limit for two people living under the same roof who are not defined as a couple is €500 each, while that for a couple is lower. I know of a couple over 70 whose income is €909. They are €9 over the limit. They live in an extreme corner of County Mayo. The lady must travel on a weekly basis to Galway University Hospital for cancer...

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. I understand my amendment has been ruled out of order because it could impose a charge on the Exchequer. Nevertheless, I would like a say a few words about it. I got quite a reaction to this issue. A couple, as defined in the Bill - I presume this means a married couple or a couple in a civil partnership - are discriminated against...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I support the positive work charities do, following what Senator Ó Labhrás Murchú stated. I am relying on the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to help a man with a bill of €1,440 in order that he can have his electricity switched on. Without the support of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, we will be lost because there is no heart in the ESB to deal with such cases....

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I seek answers to the two questions I put to the Minister of State. What will be the fairness test applied by the energy regulator when the water charges plan is presented by Irish Water? Can a choice be given to homeowners between a flat charge or a metered charge? I feel that a flat charge will provide certainty and then they will know whether they genuinely can pay. An open-ended meter...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I note that it is proposed in section 17 that Irish Water will present the water charges plan to the Commission for Energy Regulation, which will approve or reject it. What fairness test will it apply to this?