Results 1,521-1,540 of 5,098 for speaker:Mairéad Farrell

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: The Aire is correct in saying it was a tsunami and the concern is obviously that there will be more tsunamis and that they will be worse. As the Aire mentioned, we were very lucky in Galway that there was no loss of life. We need to do everything in our power to ensure the people and the communities of Galway are protected going forward. I note he said there were not enough of these...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: 32. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the progress of the flood defences planned for Galway. [51992/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: 42. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on flood relief for Clarinbridge, Galway city, and other areas in Galway impacted by Storm Debi; if he will further outline his Department’s plan for future flooding in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52361/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: Gabhaim buíochas. Tuigim go dtuigeann an tAire Stáit an méid a tharla i nGaillimh le roinnt laethanta agus seachtainí anuas agus ní rud nua é seo. Tá a fhios agam go raibh sé anseo agus i nGaillimh, fiú amháin, nuair a bhí an fhadhb sa Chlochán. I seek an update on Galway flood defences. I am aware the Minister of State has...

Neutrality: Motion [Private Members] (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: Arguably one of Ireland's greatest foreign policy achievements was the so-called Irish resolutions at the UN. These are widely recognised as having brought about the first nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Ireland was of course the first country to sign it. Frank Aiken, who was then Fianna Fáil's Minister for External Affairs, was under no illusion. He recognised and stated...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: We have received apologies from Deputies. I remind members and officials to please ensure their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of this meeting, as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment, even when on silent mode. This meeting has been convened to consider the Supplementary Estimates for Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, which...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as an méid sin. I thank the Minister of State and his officials for the opening statement.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: Do we have another member online? No. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as teacht os comhair an choiste seo. The Minister of State is very welcome to the committee today. I am new to this committee and I must say that I think it is disappointing that the Minister, Deputy Harris, is not here, in front of the committee. I have to be honest about that. It is not the way I would...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: I get that.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: It is just one thing that stood out for me. My next question follows on from that. Looking at last year's Supplementary Estimate, under the same subhead B10, there was a request for additional money - this time it was €147 million. I also had a look at the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and it said something similar about addressing accumulated liabilities relating...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: But it is significant.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: It does state in the briefing document that part of the additional cost has arisen because of changing demographics and an increase in retiree numbers. I am guessing that when it mentions changing demographics, it is referring to the demographics of the sector's workers. I imagine that the wider demographics would probably be more favourable, with the population rising. If it is the case...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: I have a number of other questions in relation to pensions, but maybe I will leave that and perhaps we can get a note on that. The €1,000 reduction in fees might be a good place to start. People will obviously welcome a €1,000 reduction. We can all agree on that and it is fine. I think that most people, not just students and their families, would have anticipated that the...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: I appreciate that.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: Why was the decision made to go for a once-off rather than a permanent reduction? There is obviously an impact on the cost. People are going through a cost-of-living crisis and we do not see an end to that in sight. Given people are doing forward planning about whether their children can access third level education why was a decision made, I suppose by the Ministers, to go for a once-off...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: I understand, but this is part of it.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: When does the Minister of State see that happening?

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: I thank the Minister of State. It is simply that people were very much expecting there was going to be a permanent reduction. I was taken by surprise on budget day when there was not. The other thing that took me by surprise that day was there was no mention of student accommodation in either of the Ministers' Budget Statements. I am acutely aware the Minister of State did not write those...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: However, people will look at the number of apprentices waiting for off-the-job training. The Minister of State mentioned €67 million, but how will it actually impact on this backlog? We are dealing with real people's lives as well-----

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: -----let us be frank about that. People have told me they completely feel they have been held back. My generation was impacted by the crash, so people were not as quick to go into craft apprenticeships at that time. There were people my age who were trying to move on with their lives, buy houses - which is nearly impossible under this Government - and also looking at trying to start...