Results 141-160 of 4,073 for speaker:Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 Jan 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Delayed.

Seanad: First Aid and Mental Health in Schools (Initial Teacher Training) Bill 2018: Second Stage (23 Jan 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I will wait.

Seanad: First Aid and Mental Health in Schools (Initial Teacher Training) Bill 2018: Second Stage (23 Jan 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank all Senators who have spoken. I welcome the opportunity to address the First Aid and Mental Health in Schools (Initial Teacher Training) Bill 2018 and the First Aid and Mental Health in Schools (Existing Teachers) Bill 2018, which are being debated together on Second Stage. As a former school principal and a teacher for 31 years, and in my current role, I acknowledge the great work...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: English Language Training Organisations (22 Jan 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I apologised to the Deputy previously because that was a mistake made with the Department during August. Apologies for that. I was shocked at what happened with Grafton College and to the students, although they came under the students' assistance fund, but also to the teachers. That is why I, with my officials, whom I thank, really pushed that we put this together. We have now engaged...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: English Language Training Organisations (22 Jan 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: There is a mediator appointed and all the various issues will be looked at to see what we can come up with. It is the first time in this sector that we have sent in a mediator to explore whether there is scope, as I said, in the sector, to put REAs in place. That will transform the sector.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: English Language Training Organisations (22 Jan 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank the Deputy for asking this question. Before I answer, I pay tribute to her for her work on the Committee on Education and Skills, from which she knows that we are progressing the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Bill 2018. English language teaching is important to Ireland. It is also important to the students who come here to study the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: There are children watching from the Visitors Gallery.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: This will be class.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (22 Jan 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to increase financial supports for postgraduate students with a particular focus on those from low income households. In response to this commitment, additional funding of €7m was secured in Budgets 2017 and 2018 to facilitate the reinstatement of full maintenance grants from September 2017 for the most disadvantaged postgraduate...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jan 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I will make sure the Deputy gets a response this week.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jan 2019)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Was the Deputy not listening?

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Third Level Admissions Entry Requirements (19 Dec 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Deputy Penrose. I have received the same queries that were raised with him and his colleagues. I was in the United Arab Emirates and met a number of Irish teachers there. There are more than 3,000 of them there. The one message I received there was about the great respect for Irish teachers teaching abroad. Often this is not evident in Ireland. A really proud individual running a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Third Level Admissions Entry Requirements (19 Dec 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I said to Deputy Penrose that the Department has received the submissions and that they are currently under consideration. I expect a further update from officials in January, which I will share with Deputies.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (13 Dec 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: As the Deputy will know, I often attend the Seanad and I will return for the next Stage of the Bill. I apologised for what happened but it was a misunderstanding. We will certainly discuss the matter with the committee before it comes before the Dáil.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (13 Dec 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Absolutely, but passing the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Bill is a priority. It has hung around for years and we need to pass it. I will try to ensure we have that engagement.

Death of former Members: Expressions of Sympathy (12 Dec 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Is mór an trua dom comhbhrón a dhéanamh le clann Paddy Harte, go háirithe lena bhean chéile agus le Jimmy Harte. Is mór an trua dom freisin comhbhrón ó chroí a dhéanamh le teaghlach, le cairde agus le comhghleacaithe Monica Barnes. Táim an-bhródúil as a bheith ag leanúint i gcoiscéim Mhonica; mar Teachta do...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: It is.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Work Permits Applications (6 Dec 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Senator Richmond. I am aware of all the very good work he is doing with businesses. He has put forward a very good argument on the stamp 3 visa process. I have been in the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, but I am taking this Commencement matter for the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. Immediate family members, that is, dependants, partners and spouses, of critical...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Work Permits Applications (6 Dec 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I will pass on the Senator's arguments to the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. The view of the Minister and the Government is that having an efficient and responsive employment permit is a critical lever in addressing the economy's skills needs. We work hard, as the Senator has acknowledged, to attract and retain international talent. The Senator has come up with a very important proposal and I...

Seanad: Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (5 Dec 2018)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Section 3 provides for the amending of existing definitions and the introduction of newly defined terms within the Act of 2012. Amendment No. 1 is a technical refinement to the definition of relevant provider. It will ensure that the definition is comprehensive and captures those listed awarding bodies providing either one or more programmes leading to their own awards, that are awards...