Results 1-20 of 2,787 for speaker:Marian Harkin

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Jul 2025)

Marian Harkin: I thank the Deputy. The main area we are looking at there is the area of hairdressing. It is the one area where that would have increased. Gender balance in craft apprenticeships has increased significantly since the launch of the action plan, with the number of female craft apprenticeships more than doubling from 260 to 533, an increase of exactly 105%. I will be honest with the Deputy....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Jul 2025)

Marian Harkin: As I explained, the increase in craft apprenticeships is quite significant. We also have another campaign, the faces, facts, futures campaign, which was launched in 2023 and connects all-girls schools in the country with the National Apprentice Office, which publicised this campaign. Looking at registration figures for apprenticeships, they have increased significantly since the launch of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Jul 2025)

Marian Harkin: I thank the Deputy. I really appreciate the question because it is something that is very important to me. Ensuring Ireland's apprenticeship population reflects the diversity in our society is a cornerstone in implementing the Action Plan on Apprenticeships 2021-2025. A key objective of this is improving gender balance across all apprenticeship programmes. In implementing the action...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Bodies (8 Jul 2025)

Marian Harkin: I thank the Deputy. I appreciate her question, but I will make it very clear that SOLAS has not reduced funding to Tipperary ETB. In fact, Tipperary ETB has been allocated €35.5 million by SOLAS in 2025, which is an increase of €1.1 million on the 2024 allocation. There are no cuts and there is no reduction. As the Deputy knows, SOLAS allocates funding to ETBs to deliver...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Bodies (8 Jul 2025)

Marian Harkin: I will say again that the Cashel LTI was fully funded by Tipperary ETB in 2024-25. I have been advised that following a comprehensive review to align services with its annual budget, Tipperary ETB made the very difficult decision not to continue funding four of its LTIs due to high costs and low learner numbers. At present, Tipperary ETB is actively exploring alternative provisions to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Bodies (8 Jul 2025)

Marian Harkin: I thank the Deputy. I recognise she really cares about this, as I do, but Tipperary ETB is in charge of its own decisions when it comes to what courses it will provide. It has looked at what happened last year, what the student intake was and how it can best provide for all of the students in Tipperary, who are being supported. It is important to say that Tipperary ETB has requested...

Student Fees: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2025)

Marian Harkin: I welcome the students to the Gallery and assure them that, despite what has been said, I and my Government colleagues do not live in an ivory tower. Our feet are firmly on the ground despite one of my colleagues having accused us a few minutes ago of having our heads down. In fact, I took notes on what he said so that I could respond to him. What we hear is this kind of bluster. What is...

Student Fees: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2025)

Marian Harkin: Yes we can.

Student Fees: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2025)

Marian Harkin: I am looking at you.

Student Fees: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2025)

Marian Harkin: No, we are not. You are a disgrace.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Jul 2025)

Marian Harkin: This Government is strongly committed to apprenticeships and has significantly expanded opportunities for students in recent years. This growth is essential to equipping Ireland’s workforce with the skills needed to meet national priorities in housing, retrofitting, and infrastructure delivery. My Department collaborates with key sectoral partners—including SOLAS, the National...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Adult Education Provision (8 Jul 2025)

Marian Harkin: This Government believes that literacy is a human right as it allows each of us to fully engage in society and be active citizens. That is why promoting the Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) Strategy is a key priority for Government, my Department, SOLAS and the ETBs. Launched in 2021, the 10-year ALL Strategy aims to equip all adults with essential literacy, numeracy, and digital skills for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Jul 2025)

Marian Harkin: A key objective of my Department's Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 is that apprenticeships are available and valued as a work based learning opportunity, providing sought after qualifications across the tertiary education and training sector. The Government is committed to improving access to information and supports for apprentices. In 2021, the National Apprenticeship Office...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (8 Jul 2025)

Marian Harkin: Green Skills are crucial for achieving the ambitious climate targets outlined in the Government's Climate Action Plan. These skills encompass everything from developing transferable green skills for everyday life to meeting the specific requirements of emerging green sectors, such as Nearly Zero Energy Buildings/ Retrofit, eMobility, and renewable energy and offshore wind. In October 2024,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Suicide Prevention (1 Jul 2025)

Marian Harkin: I really appreciate the Deputy’s considered and genuine comments on this. I mentioned the network of crisis resolution teams. These are teams of mental health professionals who work out of hours to meet people in mental health crisis and provide rapid assessment and intensive intervention in the community in calm environments known as solace cafés. Connecting for Life, our...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Swimming Pools (1 Jul 2025)

Marian Harkin: All I can say is what I said in response to the Deputies earlier, which is that further discussions will be required on the future operating model. I cannot say more than that. The appropriate funding mechanisms will have to include the local authority and local sports partnerships given the scale of the investment required and, as the Deputies are aware, the ongoing costs of operating a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Suicide Prevention (1 Jul 2025)

Marian Harkin: On behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health, who regrets not being able to be in the Chamber this evening, I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I will pass on his comments to the Minister of State. I fully accept that he comes from a place of care. That is very clear from what he said, especially when he powerfully articulated the specific...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Swimming Pools (1 Jul 2025)

Marian Harkin: I thank the Deputies. I can hear that both of them are greatly concerned about what has happened. Regarding the length of time the pool has been out of action, significant mechanical and electrical issues have been identified at the Ferryhouse pool and sports complex. The pool was closed due to a failure of the electrical periodic testing in response to a notification of hazard issued by...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Education and Training Boards (1 Jul 2025)

Marian Harkin: I thank the Deputies for raising the issue. I had a positive meeting yesterday with representatives of Tipperary ETB. I was encouraged to hear about the good work ongoing. We had a good conversation and agreed that there are challenges. We are trying to work to manage those challenges in the best way possible. To come to the issue raised by the Deputies, ETBs, as they know, support...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Education and Training Boards (1 Jul 2025)

Marian Harkin: I fully recognise the value of these courses. To be clear, what Tipperary ETB informed my Department is that no current learners are impacted as they have completed their programmes. However, Deputy Mattie McGrath was right to say that the impact is on the availability of places for new learners for the remainder of 2025. The Deputy was quite right to say that. My Department is...