Results 15,081-15,100 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Governor of the Central Bank (21 Oct 2020)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Chairman.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Business of Joint Committee (21 Oct 2020)

Bernard Durkan: I am in two minds. I listened to all the reports and the radio interviews this morning as well. There is a danger we will further add to the burden faced by those on the ground in trying to deal with testing and tracing. It is obvious they were overwhelmed last week by virtue of the large numbers of people who were tested, had reported for testing and some who had not reported for second...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Workforce Planning in Acute and Community Care Settings: Discussion (21 Oct 2020)

Bernard Durkan: I welcome the witnesses and thank them for their presentation. Professor Irvine said that the reduction in 2012 was politically motivated. Will he elaborate on that? There were other factors prevailing at that time and I would like to know what they were. Will we take all the questions together, Chairman?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Workforce Planning in Acute and Community Care Settings: Discussion (21 Oct 2020)

Bernard Durkan: Okay. I have a question for Ms Ní Sheaghdha about the increase in beds and the nurses required for staffing. Is the funding made available in the course of the summer and budget 2021 sufficient to meet the challenges of recruitment etc.? Regarding the increase in the number of undergraduates, we are getting applicants from India and the Philippines. What is the ratio of students from...

Ministerial Power (Repeal) (Ban Co-Living and Build to Rent) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Oct 2020)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister of State, Deputy Malcolm Noonan, and Deputy Duffy are sharing time. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Ministerial Power (Repeal) (Ban Co-Living and Build to Rent) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Oct 2020)

Bernard Durkan: I call on the Independent Group. Are Deputies Pringle and Connolly sharing time?

Ministerial Power (Repeal) (Ban Co-Living and Build to Rent) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Oct 2020)

Bernard Durkan: Is it five minutes each?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (20 Oct 2020)

Bernard Durkan: 32. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the degree to which he and his Department have monitored the issue of child welfare throughout the course of the pandemic; the issues arising and needing attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31248/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (20 Oct 2020)

Bernard Durkan: This question seeks to ascertain the extent to which the Minister and his Department have been able to focus on the welfare and well-being of children in the course of the pandemic.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (20 Oct 2020)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister for the reply. To what extent has Tusla been able to identify specific or particular issues that are salient at this particular time and to what extent has it addressed, or is in the course of addressing, such matters?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Equality Issues (20 Oct 2020)

Bernard Durkan: 34. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which he and his Department are in a position to address the issues of inequality in society; the areas in respect of which most concern has arisen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31249/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Equality Issues (20 Oct 2020)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister. Regarding his early observations, has he identified any particular issues pertaining to the Traveller or Roma community, such as lack of education leading to ongoing equality later in life, asylum seekers and refugees awaiting status or in direct provision, related not to the standard of accommodation but to their particular status and does he foresee ways and means of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Further Education and Training Programmes (20 Oct 2020)

Bernard Durkan: 104. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which he expects to influence the higher education system to ensure the ongoing availability of a steady stream of highly qualified technicians and academics on par with the best in the world, thus providing a workforce competent in the skills now required in the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31280/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Further Education and Training Programmes (20 Oct 2020)

Bernard Durkan: 492. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he has observed a shortfall in the number of graduates emerging from third-level in any of the disciplines; if corrective measures may be appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31674/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Further Education and Training Programmes (20 Oct 2020)

Bernard Durkan: This question relates to the likely requirement of a very high level of technical and academic excellence in the future to meet the demands of an increasingly competitive workplace.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Further Education and Training Programmes (20 Oct 2020)

Bernard Durkan: In a previous incarnation, I had occasion to visit eastern Europe where great emphasis was placed on technical skills and on polytechnics and it produced very well qualified students. On the report which the Minister is awaiting, I welcome his response in respect of encouraging, through the educational system, the location of jobs with high skill requirements. This needs to continue well...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bullying in Educational Institutions (20 Oct 2020)

Bernard Durkan: 86. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which allegations of bullying in academia have been identified and resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31279/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bullying in Educational Institutions (20 Oct 2020)

Bernard Durkan: My question refers to allegations of bullying alleged to have taken place or that is still taking place in third level institutions and to request that an investigation be carried out.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bullying in Educational Institutions (20 Oct 2020)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister. Was it a surprise that this activity was ongoing in third level institutions? Had there been many complaints made over the years in respect of it and, if so, what was done about them? Are they ongoing and being investigated? Presumably, the survey being done will uncover some of that. Is the Minister satisfied that the action being taken now will be adequate to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bullying in Educational Institutions (20 Oct 2020)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. Complaints were made to the institutions. Can he give any indication at this stage as to what the response was on foot of those complaints? Were they taken seriously? Was any internal investigation carried out at the time, which one would have expected to take place? If so, what action, if any, was taken? Was there a common reaction or...