Results 1,481-1,500 of 1,774 for speaker:Maria Byrne

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...

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

Maria Byrne: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the fact that the education budget is being increased to €10.8 billion. This will lead to 1,300 extra school places and the appointment of a further 950 special needs assistants, SNAs. There is also increased funding for third-level and further education, especially in the areas of apprenticeships and skills. I am sure people are tired of me speaking about apprenticeships...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: As we enter winter, I encourage people to avail of the flu vaccine which is being offered through all health centres throughout the country. It is important that people of all ages, and especially people who meet others on a daily basis, avail of the vaccine. This will help bring down the numbers of people presenting to accident and emergency departments of hospitals with pneumonia and flu...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2018)

Maria Byrne: I draw the attention of my colleagues to an app that was launched by the mid-west skills forum in Limerick yesterday. The app deals with apprenticeships and informs students about what is available. These apprenticeships can be anything from two to four years' duration and involve work-based learning. The app provides a connection between the employer and the student and provides...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Maria Byrne: I raise the issue of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules 2018 that are with the Minister for Health. The last intake of students for the pharmaceutical assistant course was back in 1985. There are about 300 pharmaceutical assistants, of which 95% are women, and they are employed in pharmacies throughout the country. In the temporary...

Seanad: Inclusion in Sport: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for giving of his time. I commend Senator Martin Conway for drafting the motion. Sport plays a major role in everyone's life. Whether we are on or off the field, a supporter or a volunteer, participation in sport is good for our physical health and mental well-being. Much has been said. I have volunteered for a number of years with the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Transport Scheme: Discussion (25 Sep 2018)

Maria Byrne: I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I, too, am frustrated by the school transport scheme. I know Ms Flynn is aware of the issues in the Caherconlish, Donoughmore, Ballyneety and Fedamore area, where there is 500 m of a difference between the distance from that area to the local school of John The Baptist community school in Hospital and the distance from that area to the GPO in...

Seanad: Project 2040 and Transport Matters: Statements (20 Sep 2018)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister and welcome today's debate.In terms of Project Ireland 2040 and linking people and transport, Limerick and the mid-west have been far ahead in terms of our plans in this respect. The local authorities in Limerick and Clare are working with Shannon Airport and the Foynes Port Authority. Connectivity is important in the region. We are seeking a bypass of Adare, as the...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Sep 2018)

Maria Byrne: I too wish to join Senator Ardagh in passing our sympathies to the family of the lady in Galway who died in the horrific accident in which a caravan was blown off a cliff. I raise the fact that 52 people are currently on trolleys in University Hospital Limerick. This is the highest number of people on trolleys in any hospital in the country, despite the recent opening of 17 extra short-stay...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2018)

Maria Byrne: The housing agency, ALONE, made a presentation in Buswells Hotel this morning on supporting older people in their homes in order that they could live in comfort. As some people have problems with their health or loneliness, there is a need to provide supports for them. As people are living longer and have better health, the Government needs to put a plan in place to sustain and keep them at...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Jul 2018)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister to the House. I also welcome Deputy Kelly and the small brewers who are seated in the Gallery. I wish to share time with Senator Coffey.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Jul 2018)

Maria Byrne: Having grown up in a pub, I warmly welcome the Bill. I have seen the impact small breweries have on employment and expansion. I have worked closely with a small brewery in Limerick, Treaty City Brewery, on a number of issues recently. It has been granted a licence to expand its business into the historical part of Limerick, only a stone's throw from St. John's Castle. I have seen the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Teacher Recruitment: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)

Maria Byrne: Many graduates go abroad in order to get life experience and so on. Can any incentives be put in place to encourage them to stay? Is that being considered? On STEM subjects, 640 primary schools were accredited recently to encourage people to study science at a young age. Is the Department looking at increasing the number of teachers in the STEM subjects? People are encouraged to take up...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2018)

Maria Byrne: I rise today out of concern at the fact that St. John’s Hospital in Limerick had to close its small minor injuries emergency department yesterday. This was helping to relieve the significant pressure on the accident and emergency department at the University Hospital, which is overcrowded again today. It is because there were not enough staff to manage the unit, albeit it reopened at...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2018)

Maria Byrne: I agree with the point made by Senator Máire Devine on the call from the leading oncologist, Dr. David Fennelly, on trialling the drug, Pembrolizumab. I listed to Ms Vicky Phelan being interviewed on radio recently where she spoke so passionately about her health. Certainly it has been shown that her tumours are reducing in size. Nine new cases of cervical cancer have come to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jul 2018)

Maria Byrne: I will raise the issue of Shannon Airport and its collaboration with ESB on the plan to reduce its carbon emissions. Climate change is something we are all very concerned with. Over the next 18 months the airport will bring down its electricity use by over a third, which is welcome. There was a report on small breweries in The Irish Timestoday. Their drinks have become popular, especially...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2018)

Maria Byrne: I wish to let people know that the Pride parade is on in Limerick at 2 p.m. on Saturday. We would welcome anybody who wishes to come along to support it. It is meeting at Merchant's Quay in Limerick. I wish to raise is a concern about University Hospital Limerick and the report that was issued today. The son of a lady who is in the hospital was on the radio this morning. I will not...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2018)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the fact that there will be 37 extra special needs assistants, SNAs, in Limerick in both primary and secondary schools in the coming academic year. It is a 42% increase on 2011 and will bring the number of SNAs in Limerick to a total of 606. Education is vital for the future of primary and secondary school students and this is very welcome news. This week, the Minister for...

Seanad: Education (Digital Devices in Schools) Bill 2018: Second Stage (27 Jun 2018)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister to the House. I congratulate Senator Craughwell on bringing forward this legislation. I know he has put a lot of work into his Bill and wish him well. I am involved with a school that is the only Apple accredited school in Ireland so I know that the students use iPads on a daily basis. People can download books and use technology to learn. The pupils only use their...