Results 81-100 of 4,073 for speaker:Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Seanad: Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (22 May 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Amendments Nos. 23 to 29, inclusive, will amend section 28 to add the Institute of Public Administration, IPA, to the list of bodies that were exempted from the annual charge for the learner protection fund. The IPA receives substantial public funding and its exclusion from the payment of this charge is in line with the policies approach being taken for exemptions. Section 30 of the Bill...

Seanad: Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (22 May 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Senator Ruane for reminding me about Marino Institute because I know Senator Byrne did a lot of work on that to make sure it had an exemption with regard to the learner protection fund. I thank my officials in the Department of Education and Skills - Padraig Hennigan, who did a lot of work on this, as did Wendy Ross and the assistant secretary, William Beausang. I am very grateful....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters (4 Apr 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I am sorry, but can we take the second Commencement matter first, please?

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters (4 Apr 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The reason I ask is I do not have the notes on St. Angela's College.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters (4 Apr 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I beg the Senator's pardon.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters (4 Apr 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I am really sorry, but a mistake has been made in the office. It had nothing to do with me I hasten to add.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Garda Stations (4 Apr 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank the Senator for raising this important matter and wish to advise her that I am answering on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality. She will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána who holds primary responsibility for the effective and efficient use of the resources...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Garda Stations (4 Apr 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I will make sure I inform the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, of what the Senator has said. I will also take a copy of her contribution.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Third Level Institutions (4 Apr 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. I know he is very interested in it. He has spoken to me often about it and attended meetings on it. I met the president of the NUIG and the president of St. Angela's College in Government Buildings to discuss the issues around the backdrop of the merger between the St. Angela's and the National University of Ireland, Galway, NUIG. I pay tribute...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Third Level Institutions (4 Apr 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Senator Feighan for raising this matter. I know he has been on the case and will continue to ensure that it is a top priority in the Department of Education and Skills.

Companies (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage (3 Apr 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Companies (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (3 Apr 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Now.

Educational Supports for Children Experiencing Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (3 Apr 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Deputy Thomas Byrne for tabling this motion and I thank the Deputies who have spoken from the heart very much. I will preface my remarks by saying that I have 31 years' experience as a primary school teacher and principal. It is a tragedy that any child should be homeless and that any children going to school should have the burden of not having a safe roof over their heads. I want...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (3 Apr 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I will bring the Deputy's message to the Minister. I face the same problem with the Dún Laoghaire Educate Together school, in that it is a question of getting a site. There are sensitivities and complexities involved in site acquisition. The Deputy should please speak to the Minister as well.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (3 Apr 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Deputy Stanley for raising this issue, which my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, has also raised with me. I am answering on behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy McHugh, but I have heard from people, including Deputy Stanley, about how progressive the school is, how pupils want to go to it and how well it is managed. I have also...

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The purpose of this Government Bill is to protect our citizens and our economy from the worst impacts of a no-deal Brexit. As Minister of State with responsibility for higher education I am primarily concerned with our students and with ensuring they are not affected. I thank Dáil Éireann for this opportunity to explain the nature of the amendments proposed. I also thank my...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Traveller Education (14 Feb 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Senator Kelleher and I know her heart is really in addressing this difficulty. I thank the Senator for raising the issue. It is really important. I am answering the question on behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy McHugh, who could not be here this morning. I will make certain that I talk to the Minister in person and raise the figures Senator Kelleher has put...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Traveller Education (14 Feb 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I will do that. I thank Senator Kelleher.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Technological Universities (12 Feb 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The Taoiseach and I are very ambitious for the area. We want the technological university in the south east to make its application and the expert group to look at that application. I heard that 20,000 students leave the south-east region every year. I would like to see students educated in their own area, thereby creating a regional development dynamic within the area. I ask Deputy...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Technological Universities (12 Feb 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. His doing so is very timely because I have just received the application for Munster Technological University, which came in at 5 p.m. I was hoping that the application from the Technological University for the South East Ireland, TUSEI, would come in before the one from Munster Technological University but that has not happened. The Deputy...