Results 161-180 of 7,634 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (30 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 597. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection why school bus escorts who have to sign on during school holidays have faced delays of up to five weeks to receive their payment; and the measures he is taking to ensure this does not occur again at future holiday periods. [52078/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (30 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 958. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware that Youthreach have had their budget cut by 30 percent (details supplied) affecting their ability to provide an education and support to 50 students, counselling services have been reduced from four days to one day every second week which is having a negative effect on young people availing of the service' mental health; if he...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (30 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 959. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the Youthreach facilities that have faced funding cuts by ETBs and the measures being taken to ensure that teachers and staff do not have an increased workload due to a lack of supports. [51198/25]

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (25 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I have the guidelines in my hand. They need to be withdrawn, because what the Minister of State has said and what we heard at the committee yesterday from the Department are directly contradicted by what is in the guidelines. The guidelines give rise to real concern because they state: NCSE reviews are conducted on a whole school needs-based analysis, To be clear, this can include...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (25 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: There are widespread concerns in relation to this new set of guidelines for the review of SNA allocations, specifically, the narrowed criteria and rigid timelines. The application window now for school-led reviews is limited for a six-week period from 15 September to 24 October and excludes mid-year needs, and there is the issue of unification and redeployment risks. SNA allocations are now...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Official Engagements (25 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 12. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on his engagements with a company (details supplied) during their period of examinership; the supports and advice available to workers who will lose their jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49708/25]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Motor Industry (25 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 78. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures he is taking to support the tyre sales industry in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49709/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (25 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 113. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason widows/widowers who work full-time and are in receipt of a widow's/widower's pension and pay PRSI and all other taxes are not eligible for illness benefit; his plans to change this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49710/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Employment Support Services (25 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 111. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures he is taking to support persons with disabilities into employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49711/25]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Recruitment and Retention of Special Needs Assistants: Discussion (24 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the witnesses for being here. There has been a huge amount of consternation in relation to the new guidelines for reviewing SNA allocations. Our guests have articulated the issues well in terms of the narrow timeline but I want to focus on the criteria. What I am hearing from SNAs is that it does not reflect the work they do in the real world. My experience as a constituency TD...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Recruitment and Retention of Special Needs Assistants: Discussion (24 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: Does Mr. Pike think there is a stricter application of it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Recruitment and Retention of Special Needs Assistants: Discussion (24 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: It is about constraints and rationing-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Recruitment and Retention of Special Needs Assistants: Discussion (24 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: Yes, the role is much expanded and that is a practical difficulty that I see in many schools, particularly when reviews are under way. I have said it publicly previously that there are major problems with these guidelines. They should be parked and there should be further engagement. We need to have a proper discussion on the actual role of SNAs and rather than rationing and restricting,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Recruitment and Retention of Special Needs Assistants: Discussion (24 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I am not sure I will. The bar has been set high. We heard from Fórsa representatives in the previous session about how they were frustrated with how slowly contract negotiations were going. Why are they going slowly? What are the plans to address that? What are the issues that need to be dealt with? We have touched on a number of them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Recruitment and Retention of Special Needs Assistants: Discussion (24 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: What timeline might we expect? I appreciate that work is ongoing.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Recruitment and Retention of Special Needs Assistants: Discussion (24 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: What will come out of that? Ultimately, it is not-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Recruitment and Retention of Special Needs Assistants: Discussion (24 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: There is a major issue and difference in terms of the criteria that apply in the context of sanctioning SNAs for schools and the work they are doing in real terms - a lot of preventative work and supporting children in addition to assisting with primary care needs. There is an indication the Department is open to a wider definition of the role. Is that the case? Specifically related to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Recruitment and Retention of Special Needs Assistants: Discussion (24 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I apologise for interrupting but maybe with the time left to me this might be a helpful way to address it. I am making the case that there is an unmet need in schools at present. Ms Corcoran is saying that the Department is looking at an expanded definition of the role of an SNA. Has any analysis been conducted on what the actual workforce should look like in this State if we introduce an...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (24 Sep 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 14. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the rationale for the proposed changes to driving learner permits (details supplied; if there is evidence that points to the benefit of treating learner drivers who have not passed their test after 7 years as beginners; if the potential cost-implications of this for those on low incomes has been considered; and if he will make a...