Results 1-20 of 2,546 for speaker:Peter Fitzpatrick

Agriculture Appeals (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (11 Jul 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I acknowledge the foundational importance of agriculture in our society. Agriculture is not merely an industry; it is the backbone of the economy and provides sustenance and livelihoods to millions across our nation. Our farmers, often the unsung heroes, toil day and night to feed our burgeoning population and contribute significantly to our GDP. The agrifood sector is our oldest and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Our roads are not safe. I ask the Tánaiste to please listen. Our footpaths are not safe. You cannot even go on a footpath now because of e-scooters and bicycles. Our loved ones are passing away. These are things that can be prevented. On behaviour, when the Tánaiste and I were children - we are roughly the same age - we could go out our front doors and play a bit of football...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: As recently as five years ago, Ireland was being celebrated within the EU for road safety following a reduction in fatalities of over 40% yet this week Ireland's road death toll hit 100 people, meaning the overall number is now 14% higher than last year and we are just over halfway through the year. The year 2024 is on course to prove the most lethal for traffic fatalities in 15 years. ...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs (11 Jul 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: 64. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to raising this issue on Leaders' Questions in May, what steps have been taken to amend assault leave entitlements to ensure that SNAs have equal provision of health and safety leave, and to ensure that teachers' and SNAs' income is fully protected for the duration of their medically certified leave (details supplied); and if she will...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs (11 Jul 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I raised this issue during Leaders' Questions in May. Have any steps been taken to amend assault leave entitlements to ensure SNAs have equal provision of health and safety leave and to ensure the incomes of teachers and SNAs are fully protected for the duration of their medically certified leave? Will the Minister make a statement on the matter?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs (11 Jul 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: SNAs are being denied equal health and safety leave provisions in employment. The potential risks for injury are greater for SNAs due to the physical element of their job. There is a clear disparity between the provision afforded to teachers and that afforded to SNAs. SNAs work with children with a range of care needs, many of whom exhibit extremely challenging behaviour that requires...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs (11 Jul 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I thank the Minister for her reply. A lot of good work is being done in education. There are a lot more teachers and SNAs. There is a lot of early intervention and children with problems are being diagnosed early. I appreciate the Minister's response but all the SNAs are looking for is the same treatment as teachers. As I have said, they play a very important role in the future...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (11 Jul 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: 193. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she plans to address the chronic under resourcing of special education needs supports and provisions for the upcoming school year (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30518/24]

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (4 Jul 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I welcome the Government's approval of raising the legal age for tobacco product sales to 21, with the passing of this Bill. This landmark decision marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing efforts to safeguard public health and secure a healthier future for our youth. First, let us acknowledge the significance of this legislation. By raising the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (4 Jul 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: It is no secret that there is a shortage of general practitioner services in many parts of Ireland and my constituency of Louth and east Meath is no different. Not a week goes by without constituents coming into my constituency office begging for medical access. The Louth GP shortage has left patients in Drogheda facing a two-year wait to register with a local doctor. Just this week, I...

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: On a personal note, I thank the Tánaiste for the update on Private Seán Rooney, who was killed on 14 December 2022, and for keeping the pressure on the Lebanese ministers for foreign affairs and defence and their legal department. It is very important to get justice for Private Seán Rooney, his family and his colleagues. It is also nice to note that it is a priority of this...

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Maybe not any more but when someone goes into the Army, he or she will be starting from a very low base and everything else.

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: If a garda and a nurse are married, they still cannot afford to buy a three-bedroom house in Dublin.

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: These are young people who want to have a career and to be properly trained and to be properly financed for the work. These people are deployed on UN peacekeeping missions. They are away from their families for six to eight months. I am a family man, and that seems a long time to be away. These people are making sacrifices. The rewards should be there. I will put my hand up and say...

Statutory Home Care: Statements (27 Jun 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Ireland has an ageing population. Life expectancy in this country has risen by two years for women and 2.5 years for men since 2008. With an average life expectancy of 84.1 for women and 80.5 for men, Ireland is now above the European average. Central Statistics Office, CSO, projections indicate that by 2030, there will be more than 1 million people aged 65 and over in Ireland. It...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Jun 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: There has been a significant rise in the number of older people with housing difficulties, according to two charities: Alone, which represents older people, and Threshold, which advocates for those with housing difficulties. The housing adaptation grant will help older people to stay at home longer. Under the scheme, grants of up to €30,000 are available to eligible people to...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (26 Jun 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: 115. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the Government plans to change the eligibility for carer’s allowance to include those who are on a community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27521/24]

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jun 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: On behalf of the Regional Group, I give my condolences to the family and friends of Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh. I have known Mícheál a long, long time. I spoke to him many a time. His son, Eamonn, lives in Dundalk. I also welcome Natasha O'Brien. We are all behind her. It is a pity she is here under these circumstances. I will ask the Ceann Comhairle one...

Digital Services (Levy) Bill 2024: Second Stage (19 Jun 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I do not like starting a debate by being negative but it was announced that there will be 85 redundancies in PayPal between Dundalk and Dublin, which is very bad news. I am a sitting TD in Dundalk. PayPal is a top company and good employer that still employs a lot of people. I do not know how many times over the past number of years we have had phone calls to tell us this is the last time...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Jun 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Over recent years, I have lost count of the number of times I have heard of people going to Newry in the North or even abroad for dental treatment due to the cost and lack of availability of dental services in my constituency of Louth and east Meath. The lack of dental services is having a detrimental effect on children. For example, I spoke to a constituent last week about the orthodontic...