Results 1,401-1,420 of 1,774 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Apr 2019)

Maria Byrne: I rise to mark World Autism Day. It is also Autism Awareness Week. I attended a coffee morning this morning with Dóchas in Limerick. I met many children and their families. There was a talk going on and it was a really interesting morning. It was great to get an insight and to hear first-hand from families and from a campaigner who has been 14 years fighting for children with autism...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Pharmaceutical Sector (26 Mar 2019)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State. I have raised this issue previously in the Seanad and with the Department. It relates to pharmaceutical assistants. The pharmaceutical association made a recommendation to the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, recently that pharmaceutical assistants, most of whom have operated and worked in pharmacies for the past 35 years, should only be allowed to cover...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Pharmaceutical Sector (26 Mar 2019)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State. I also raised this issue with the Minister, Deputy Harris. When pharmaceutical assistants were surveyed, it was discovered that they will be working for only eight to ten more years because it is 35 years since one could become qualified. The course has not been run since the 1980s. Therefore, the last pharmaceutical assistant will have retired in ten years....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Traveller Education: Discussion (26 Mar 2019)

Maria Byrne: I thank the witnesses for their presentations. Much of what I was going to ask has been asked. Ms White of ETBI spoke about the payment of an allowance for some classes. Is this similar to the Youthreach programme? Would students in mainstream education get an allowance? I read the submission from the Presentation Secondary School in Limerick, which I know well from having visited on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Traveller Education: Discussion (26 Mar 2019)

Maria Byrne: I do not think we can tar everyone with one brush.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Traveller Education: Discussion (26 Mar 2019)

Maria Byrne: I missed Mr. McDonagh's presentation and I apologise as I had to take a call. The few minutes I heard demonstrate that he is certainly an inspiration, so I compliment him and his parents. He clearly has great family support so I wish him all the best for the future. He is a role model in his own right to the Travelling community.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2019)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister and thank him for this outline on education. Having listened to him, I know he is passionate about it. Living on the Border, he has given him a great insight into the issues that are faced. I commend on the fact there will not be a change in the current co-operation in terms of students crossing the Border and travelling to the UK to college. Many of our students...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Delivery of Services for Students with Down’s Syndrome: Discussion (12 Mar 2019)

Maria Byrne: I thank the five contributors. We are all concerned about July provision. This is where we are coming from regarding the Department's appearance. The son of a friend of mine has Down's syndrome. He is an intelligent child with an awful lot to contribute but his parents find it frustrating that he does not quality for July provision yet a child down with road with autism does. While my...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Educational Supports (5 Mar 2019)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister to the Chamber. On a recent trip to Limerick, I mentioned my interest in using artificial intelligence, social media and a digital strategy in educational supports. In the school we visited, the Minister saw that the pupils used iPads as an aid in education. Many schools have done so well over years with textbooks but more is required in these days of digital...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Educational Supports (5 Mar 2019)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for his reply and welcome the fact that a review is under way. It is up to people to make their submissions to the review. I should have mentioned that a digital safety officer will be appointed, as the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment announced yesterday. The initiative is most welcome across the board because the two initiatives go hand in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Feb 2019)

Maria Byrne: I rise to highlight the fact today is anti-bullying awareness day, which is a campaign run by the HSE. If people are feeling unsafe in the workplace, in school or in any walk of life, a helpline is available. It is important that people are aware help is out there and somebody is at the other end of the line to help them. Related to that, it was reported in my local newspaper during the...

Seanad: National Training Fund: Statements (28 Feb 2019)

Maria Byrne: The Minister of State is very welcome. I know of his passion for apprenticeships and training. It is very evident in the work he does. It is something the Government wants to ensure is working right. I have a few questions about one or two of the things the Minister of State referenced in his speech. He talked about quarterly reviews. If something is found to not be working, will he be...

Seanad: National Training Fund: Statements (28 Feb 2019)

Maria Byrne: Next Tuesday at 2.30 p.m.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Immigration Status (27 Feb 2019)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, Deputy Stanton, to the House. I seek an extension of the current regulation around stamp 2 and stamp 4. I know someone who came to Ireland as a student in 2003 on the stamp 2 programme. The person went to college to follow courses in hotel management and business studies and has studied various other courses since....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Immigration Status (27 Feb 2019)

Maria Byrne: I was not aware of the prior scheme. Obviously the person about whom I am speaking was probably not aware of it at the time and missed the application date. There are other options and I will certainly explore those. Is there any way for this case to be reviewed or considered? This person has contributed financially by paying tax and in the community. This is a very fine and upstanding...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Feb 2019)

Maria Byrne: I wish to raise the issue of University Hospital Limerick and the scaremongering that has been going on. This is the second or third week that misinformation has been put out there. The Minister for Health indicated that he realises that University Hospital Limerick has been neglected for quite a while with regard to the need for additional beds and the issues colouring his visit. He...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Bus Services (13 Feb 2019)

Maria Byrne: I raise the issue of bus services in Limerick which have been an ongoing problem for quite a while. The main issue is with the very busy 304 and 304A bus routes which start in Raheen-Dooradoyle on one side of the city and extend through it as far as the University of Limerick. For the past six months or more buses have been running between ten and 25 minutes late each morning. I have...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Bus Services (13 Feb 2019)

Maria Byrne: I welcome that consideration is being given to a BusConnects plan and to the development of the Limerick-Shannon area. However, I raised a current problem. While the plan is great and very welcome and everybody will be in favour of it, it does not resolve current problems. It is soul destroying for those who use the university and staff of companies in the area that they are constantly...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Bus Services (13 Feb 2019)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2019)

Maria Byrne: I rise today to draw attention to the Apprenticeship Ireland website and app, which provide an opportunity for young people to engage with industry leaders in technology. Young people can go on a two-year apprenticeship programme in conjunction with many of the leading companies while being educated. There are many opportunities for in-house education and training, as well as on-site and...