Results 361-380 of 873 for speaker:Averil Power

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: SOLAS: Discussion with Chairman Designate (9 Oct 2013)

Averil Power: I congratulate Mr. Delaney on his appointment to the role. I appreciate he has only just taken it up and, therefore, I do not want to ask too many detailed questions about his priorities. What is his overall vision for the role? What are his priorities? We have had several debates at this committee and in both Houses about the future landscape for further education and training, community...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: The Role of Special Needs Assistants: Discussion (9 Oct 2013)

Averil Power: I thank the groups for their presentations. As we have only three minutes, I will be brief. Each group has touched on the fact that SNAs are asked to do other educational or whole-school duties. I appreciate the research regarding the role of teaching assistants and anybody who is not properly educationally qualified in working with any child, particularly a child with special needs. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2013)

Averil Power: I too would like to welcome the fact that the Taoiseach indicated over the weekend that he will bring forward legislation to extend the franchise in the Seanad university elections to all universities and third level institutions. That is a very welcome first step but much more has to be done. None of us can be under any illusion that the people voted in the referendum on the abolition of...

Seanad: Budget 2014: Statements (15 Oct 2013)

Averil Power: That is a first. I shared two minutes with him during our Private Members' business involving a section 37 Bill, which was also a first. I join with Senator Darragh O'Brien in welcoming elements of the budget, including the retention of the 9% VAT rate. The rate has been a lifeline for tourism businesses and will more than pay its way in supporting job growth. The home improvement scheme...

Seanad: Budget 2014: Statements (15 Oct 2013)

Averil Power: Senators from all parties.

Seanad: Budget 2014: Statements (15 Oct 2013)

Averil Power: Indeed. However, it must be noted that one sector that has been badly hit by the budget is that of further education. Last year, the Minister stated that there would be a one-off funding reduction of €25 million. Today, he announced that last year's guarantee did not count, as the sector is getting hit for €25 million again. From the Estimates it is clear that the overall...

Seanad: Budget 2014: Statements (15 Oct 2013)

Averil Power: Only if people go on that scheme, but why would a 24 or 25 year old who has already been through the education system and might even have a masters go onto a back to education scheme? He or she probably would not qualify due to being above the educational threshold. This provision has not been thought through. The number of places being offered under the youth guarantee is only a fraction...

Seanad: Budget 2014: Statements (15 Oct 2013)

Averil Power: I thank the Minister of State for the opportunity to make my points about education.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation (17 Oct 2013)

Averil Power: I welcome the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan to the House. It is very unusual for three senior Ministers to take Adjournment matters in the House. I hope that it is an indication of things to come. It is very positive.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation (17 Oct 2013)

Averil Power: I do not think so. It has not happened on any day that I have been here that a Minister has come in to take his or her own matter.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation (17 Oct 2013)

Averil Power: I welcome the announcement yesterday of an initial €10 million fund to kick-start the pyrite remediation scheme. It will come as a huge relief to people who have not been able to repair their homes and have waited a long time for a solution to be agreed at a national level. I am disappointed that the Government has not been able to secure a levy on the industry yet. I hope the issue...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation (17 Oct 2013)

Averil Power: The Minister is right that some of the homes that were fixed by the developers were covered by insurance but as he knows well many were not. Some families that have been in touch with me told me how the insurance covered the building works but would not cover the testing which costs €3,000 and they were left to pay that bill. Nobody suggests that the State should reimburse people for...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation (17 Oct 2013)

Averil Power: The Minister did not indicate when the legislation would come before the House.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation (17 Oct 2013)

Averil Power: Does the Minister mean this winter session or this year?

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation (17 Oct 2013)

Averil Power: Does the Bill have to be enacted between now and the end of 2013?

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation (17 Oct 2013)

Averil Power: I appreciate that. The Leader indicated yesterday that the Bill would come before the House early next year but it will be before the end of December. That is helpful. I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation (17 Oct 2013)

Averil Power: The Minister made the point previously.

Seanad: Asylum Support Services: Motion (23 Oct 2013)

Averil Power: I welcome the opportunity to hear what Senator Conway had to say before rising to my feet. I thank Senators van Turnhout, Mac Conghail and Zappone for taking the initiative to table the motion during their Private Members' time. I also commend Senators van Turnhout and Ó Clochartaigh for their work on the issue for some time. The two Senators approached me and other Members a long...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: General Scheme of Gender Recognition Bill 2013: Discussion (23 Oct 2013)

Averil Power: I thank all of our guests for their initial contributions. I welcome the Bill. I commend the Minister, Deputy Burton, on being the first Minister to introduce legislation in this area. It is important to acknowledge that before we begin to critique the Bill. I concur with the concern expressed by Deputy Ó Snodaigh about a number of provisions in the Bill. All transgender people...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: General Scheme of Gender Recognition Bill 2013: Discussion (23 Oct 2013)

Averil Power: To pick up briefly on the issue, there is no prohibition on sharing the Attorney General's advice, although I know it is not standard practice. There is a massive gap between sharing the full advice and giving us one line indicating that there is a constitutional context which prevents something happening. As I initially outlined, there is strong legal opinion on the other side; this is...