Results 381-400 of 11,979 for speaker:Billy Kelleher

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (12 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: 125. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to allocating full-time nursing support to special schools with pupils with complex medical needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52421/18]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (12 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: 129. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to remove the requirement to take SNAs from panels for special schools in view of the fact that they may not have the necessary skill set, knowledge and relevant experience that is sought through the usual recruitment process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52481/18]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Professional Development (12 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: 130. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure that there is continuing professional development specifically for various types of special schools for both teachers and SNAs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52482/18]

European Investment Fund Agreement Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Second Stage (6 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: We will be supporting the Bill and will do everything to ensure it passes smoothly through the parliamentary process. We welcome the fact that we are putting in place funds for small and medium-sized businesses in both the business and agriculture sectors to allow them to access loans to fund working capital projects. We all know that there is grave uncertainty, primarily as a result of...

Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage (6 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: The Deputy is very optimistic.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Skills Shortages (6 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: The pay rates in the agricultural and processing sectors are on the lower end of the scale and any change in that brings about problems with competitiveness straightaway. Equally, it causes problems in recruitment. When people are paid €9 or €10 an hour but companies and factories can pay more, people drift out of the agricultural sector. In the short and medium term that can...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Skills Shortages (6 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: 5. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to cater for the shortage of skilled labour in the agricultural sector and the competitiveness issues arising if unaddressed. [51188/18]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Skills Shortages (6 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: What are the steps being taken to deal with the skills shortage in the agricultural sector? What competitiveness issues might arise from these shortages, not just in the context of farms but in the context of the entire process, including final sale?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Skills Shortages (6 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: We have to monitor the situation continually. Some time ago the chief executive of Dairygold, Mr. Wolfe, said that labour shortages were a constraint on expansion for 25% of the company's clients and suppliers. It is a gripping issue that has to be addressed. The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has five people looking at skills issues across the whole economy. I do not...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Skills Shortages (6 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: 58. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to address the labour and skills shortages in the agricultural sector; and the way in which this deficit will be met in order to reach Foods Wise 2025 targets. [51187/18]

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: This issue has been discussed in great detail. Many people would have considered its discussion in advance of the referendum disingenuous. Until the Irish people adjudicated on the eighth amendment it would have been very difficult for and presumptuous of this House to discuss it. Of course, the decision having been made, it is now up to Members to put forward their views on the...

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: The reason conscientious objection is very important and must not be abused is that women may find themselves in very vulnerable positions and unable to access the healthcare they need. If a doctor fails to refer a woman on, it could leave her in a very vulnerable position. Not every woman has an ordered life. The lives of some are very chaotic, with some women enduring abuse and violence....

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: Doctors with a conscientious objection should be obliged to refer women to another doctor. To legislate for conscientious objection in the manner proposed in the amendment such that a medical practitioner could decline to assist a woman who presents is against the basic principles of good medical ethics in the view of the professionals who made the case for this legislation at the eighth...

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: I wish to speak briefly on the amendment itself. I have not made many contributions on Report Stage but believe it is important that we try to speak to the amendments and keep our focus on what we are doing here, namely legislating for the will of the people, as expressed in May. The issue of abortion regret was discussed at the committee hearings and evidence was presented. The majority...

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: I am definite that there are women who regret having had a termination. Equally, I know many women who regret having to go to Birmingham or Liverpool to have a termination or who, because they faced a crisis pregnancy, had to take tablets without medical supervision. The point is that this amendment is trying to force-----

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: -----women and their clinicians into circumstances in which further shame and guilt are heaped on them. That is my reading of it based on my examination of how this would play out in surgeries across the country. It should be borne in mind that the amendment reads "Except in a case of an immediate risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman". The amendment...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (5 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: 104. To ask the Minister for Health the actions the HSE will take to enable the Mercy University Hospital regain accreditation for carrying out colonoscopies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50707/18]

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Transport Infrastructure Provision (4 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: I thank the Minister for his reply. There is a small problem here. The northern ring road is mentioned on just one line of the national planning framework. The plan talks about the development of a motorway linking Cork and Limerick, which we would all welcome. The fact of the matter is that it is planned to build a motorway that will run into 19th century roads. We have no proper...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Transport Infrastructure Provision (4 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: I thank the Minister.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Transport Infrastructure Provision (4 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: Yes.