Results 1,561-1,580 of 1,865 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (7 Nov 2018)

Maria Byrne: Tomorrow morning at 10.30 a.m.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Report on Positive Mental Health in Schools: Minister for Education and Skills (18 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister and thank him for his attendance. I wish him all the best in his new role. I know how committed he is to it. His very good opening statement addressed the importance of working together. The report of the committee addressed well-being and mental health and a significant amount of work was done by its members in that regard. A primary school in Moyross, County...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Staff Recruitment (17 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: The Minister of State is very welcome. I welcome Professor Maura Adshead from the school of politics and public administration at the University of Limerick, who is in the Public Gallery. She is shadowing me for the day so it will be an interesting experience for both of us. I am here to enquire about an update on the advertisement for a specialist MS nurse for University Hospital...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Staff Recruitment (17 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: I note the Minister of State acknowledged how the important the service provided by the MS specialist nurse is. The disappointment I feel is because something similar was said last May. It was said it would be prioritised. As we are midway through October, I seek a commitment from the Minister of State that he will keep up the pressure on the hospital group to advertise this post and get...

Seanad: Traveller Culture and History in Education Bill 2018: Committee Stage (17 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister, Deputy McHugh, and congratulate him on his appointment. I compliment Senators Kelleher, Ruane and Grace O'Sullivan on bringing this Bill forward. It is very important legislation. I am aware that the former Minister, Deputy Bruton, had asked the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, for reports. I am aware that Bill is pending as well. The Bills...

Seanad: Traveller Culture and History in Education Bill 2018: Committee Stage (17 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: I had intended in my earlier remarks to distance myself from the statements of the presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Casey, regarding Travellers. I do not support his comments in that regard.

Seanad: Traveller Culture and History in Education Bill 2018: Committee Stage (17 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Traveller Culture and History in Education Bill 2018: Committee Stage (17 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: It is not often that happens, so I thank Senator Reilly.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Oct 2018)

Maria Byrne: There are very few gentlemen around here, whatever the party. I acknowledge International Day of the Girl. I also acknowledge the findings of the report from Plan International Ireland. Dr. Scally and Dr. Denton were before the Joint Committee on Health yesterday to discuss their findings that some of the people whose results were not referred within 18 months were not sent back a second...

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

Maria Byrne: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

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...