Results 141-160 of 7,498 for speaker:Ruairí Ó Murchú

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Energy Conservation (18 Sep 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: 135. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the progress that has been made to date in 2025 towards reaching the Government’s retrofitting targets across housing, to include public and private housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48909/25]

Special Education School Places: Motion [Private Members] (17 Sep 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Unfortunately, this is like rinse and repeat. Earlier, the Minister of State spoke about the fact that the number of children who do not have appropriate places is in single digits. In fairness Equality in Education has the number at 168. That is the number that the Minister of State could not provide. He has promised to come back with those numbers. If we could have a real conversation...

Special Education School Places: Motion [Private Members] (17 Sep 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I accept that. The fact is we do this every year. We do the exact same thing. We need a solution because it is not right to have these parent having to go through the trauma of this and then to show up here and to be advocates. They just want to be parents and they want this Government to deliver for their children. Sin é.

National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030: Statements (17 Sep 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: In fairness, I do not think anybody will have any major issue when they read the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. There is nothing wrong with the names and there is nothing wrong with the pillars. Like the Minister, anyone who has spoken to disability groups, or those who have had to deal with the realities of disabilities, will speak about all those particular...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (17 Sep 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: -----so if there is a need for resources, they could be put in early before things become disastrous or tragic. In some cases, it is all about child protection. We need absolute supports and protection of the child.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (17 Sep 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: We are failing at this point. We must look back and learn so we know where we must go in the future.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (17 Sep 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Specialist public health nurses-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (17 Sep 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I also add my voice to the two cases that have been spoken: Kyran Durnin and Daniel Aruebose. The only good news is that at least Daniel's body was found. We are talking about an absolutely tragic set of circumstances and families who had engaged with Tusla. I have no doubt we all know and are aware of the issues. We know that we need to make sure that, first of all, we have the correct...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (17 Sep 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: We really have to give consideration to housing adaptation grants and to look at them properly. We know they have been reviewed. Both the thresholds and the amounts paid have been increased but this does not cover the cost of building. I am talking in particular about those who fall into disability, whether down to old age, accidents, or children coming of age and needing a greater level...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (17 Sep 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: 8. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [48847/25]

Committee on Disability Matters: Inclusive Education for People with Disabilities: Discussion (17 Sep 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Tá fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit agus an bhfoireann uilig. The Minister of State is saying that the number of children who do not have appropriate places is in single figures. That is the total number. I want to check the position because our information is that a significant number are sitting at home because a building has not materialised, many more who requested special...

Committee on Disability Matters: Inclusive Education for People with Disabilities: Discussion (17 Sep 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I appreciate that. I accept that the Minister of State may not have the numbers now. Whatever about those who are in some sort of classroom setting, as imperfect as it may be - in some cases it may work out - what sort of numbers are we talking about in the context of those who are sitting at home because class places are not available? If the Minister of State does not have that...

Committee on Disability Matters: Inclusive Education for People with Disabilities: Discussion (17 Sep 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: That is fair enough. Will the Minister of State get a timeline and the numbers to which I referred as quickly as possible? That would be really useful. The Minister of State spoke about the no-wrong door approach and the single point of application. We need to really reduce the number of disasters that happen every year and the stress this causes to students and their families. My party...

Committee on Disability Matters: Inclusive Education for People with Disabilities: Discussion (17 Sep 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Before Christmas 2025. We would need that to happen. I would argue that, at times, we need to look at this even earlier, but I accept that is a move in the right direction. The issue for an awful lot of children and schools is that of assessments of need. I know that every Minister says this is not necessarily required in relation to schools, but schools will say different. How do we...

Committee on Disability Matters: Inclusive Education for People with Disabilities: Discussion (17 Sep 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Schools also require it, no matter what anyone says, in relation to where a child will go and making sure it is the appropriate class. When children are waiting on that, that is a problem.

Committee on Disability Matters: Inclusive Education for People with Disabilities: Discussion (17 Sep 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Everyone will make every effort to make sure that information is out there. I also make the argument that some of that information should already be known to the Department, even if we are talking about kids and the access and inclusion model, AIM, and all the rest.

Committee on Disability Matters: Inclusive Education for People with Disabilities: Discussion (17 Sep 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I appreciate the Minister of State saying that he will provide information in respect of those kids who are not in appropriate places. He said he receives an update every Friday in respect of building. In that regard, does he know the number of kids affected as of last Friday? He may or may not know.

Committee on Disability Matters: Inclusive Education for People with Disabilities: Discussion (17 Sep 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Perhaps we could get that information on building and on the schools and kids impacted as soon as possible. Are we any closer to a timeline for in-school therapies? We all know that approximately 445 positions for therapists in the CDNTs are not filled. We will be looking to fill those vacancies at the same time. I am looking for a timeline for special schools, for when therapists will...

Committee on Disability Matters: Inclusive Education for People with Disabilities: Discussion (17 Sep 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: We have no notion of the numbers to expect in other years to fill out the entirety of our special schools. The idea is to have therapists in every school, even if that involves shared facilities or whatever.

Committee on Disability Matters: Inclusive Education for People with Disabilities: Discussion (17 Sep 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Perhaps any further information could be provided to the committee. We need that. Everyone buys into the idea of putting the resources where the need is. That could lead to less pressure on CDNTs and whatever else as we go on. I reiterate what has been said an awful lot. We need to ensure we have those who can provide the therapies but must also back them up with assistive technology....