Results 1,501-1,520 of 5,757 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Apprenticeships: Discussion (22 Oct 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: When Ms Dooley referred to reaching out to parents, it struck me that it is about breaking the cycle. It is also important to work with Intreo so that parents can see the opportunities which they did not have themselves but which are available to their children.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Apprenticeships: Discussion (22 Oct 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: That is very interesting. I thank our guests for coming before us, for giving us their valuable time and for their contributions and observations. The committee will issue a report and will make recommendations to the Minister and the Department. If our guests wish to add anything else that they did not have an opportunity to air today, they can send it to us and we will make sure that all...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Apprenticeships: Discussion (22 Oct 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Very briefly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Apprenticeships: Discussion (22 Oct 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Absolutely. Something I have done in Kildare is to link chambers of commerce with career guidance teachers in schools. We are hoping to run a pilot programme in the county. Chambers of commerce can play a significant role. I am sure our guests are contacting them. I again thank our guests. We very much appreciate their contribution.

Financial Resolutions - Financial Resolution No. 9: General (Resumed) (17 Oct 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I was to have seven minutes but I will take two.

Financial Resolutions - Financial Resolution No. 9: General (Resumed) (17 Oct 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I accept that. My request was sent to the office.

Financial Resolutions - Financial Resolution No. 9: General (Resumed) (17 Oct 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I will take two minutes now. Since I have so little time, I will just refer to a few issues concerning education and equality. With regard to the budget's approach to the education sector, 150 mainstream teachers were announced but this will only cover demographic changes rather than provide a reduction in the pupil–teacher ratio. My colleague, Deputy Thomas Byrne, and I have...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (17 Oct 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 55. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of the new building for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the timeline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42513/19]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (17 Oct 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 69. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of a new building for a school (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42512/19]

Family Law Bill 2019: Second Stage (16 Oct 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Is this a call to election?

Family Law Bill 2019: Second Stage (16 Oct 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Deputy O'Callaghan. I am pleased to welcome and support this Bill. On 24 May this year, the referendum, for which I was director of elections for the Fianna Fáil Party, proposed to amend the constitutional provisions on divorce and this was approved by a huge majority, with 82.1% of people in favour and 17.9% against. A very strong message was given to the Government and the...

Road Traffic (Amendment) (Use of Electric Scooters) Bill 2019: Second Stage (16 Oct 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: After we put this Bill forward.

Road Traffic (Amendment) (Use of Electric Scooters) Bill 2019: Second Stage (16 Oct 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Bill my colleague, Deputy Marc MacSharry, has brought before the House. Some Members can use public transport to travel to Leinster House but those of us who live outside the Dublin area have to use our cars to do so, mainly because of the time at which we leave the building in the evenings. We can bear witness to the worsening congestion and overcrowding in Dublin and other...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Oct 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Maxine Maguire is a name I have mentioned in this Chamber previously. Maxine was a young girl whom I had the privilege of teaching in primary school. She was a beautiful young person who died by her own hand two and a half years ago. Today, her parents, Kathy and Robbie, and a number of friends, family and supporters, will come to the gates of Leinster House to protest about inadequacies in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Expenditure (16 Oct 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 41. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of the national broadband plan once completed; the amount paid out to date; the estimated amount that will be paid between now and the completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42249/19]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Warmer Homes Scheme Funding (16 Oct 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 50. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding funding streams which are available to support home owners on low incomes to retrofit their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42250/19]

Parent's Leave and Benefit Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Second Stage (15 Oct 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Like my colleague, Deputy O'Callaghan, I am pleased to have the opportunity to support the Bill and to speak on it. It is important that it provides each parent of a child under the age of one with two weeks' paid parental leave. It is concerning, however, that the Bill, when it passes, will come into effect on 1 November, which is only two weeks away. This does not really give employers a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Home Care Packages Provision (15 Oct 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I share the indignation, anger and upset of my colleagues at the way that people who need home help hours are being treated. My colleagues have gone through the figures. Kildare is one of those counties that features highly in terms of waiting lists. As I mentioned, I specifically asked about respite. Respite is not mentioned once in the Minister of State's response, and I have gone...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Home Care Packages Provision (15 Oct 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I accept that, but that was the question I submitted on respite.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Home Care Packages Provision (15 Oct 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The mater I tabled for discussion specifically related to respite stays which, obviously, go hand in hand with the home care package issue. The situation in Kildare is appalling. There are families in crisis there. Numbers given for the CHO 7 area show they have gone down from 7,064 hours in 2015 to 5,808 hours in 2018. That is despite all of the different calls for this to be increased....