Results 501-520 of 743 for speaker:Jim D'Arcy

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland: Discussion with Chairman Designate (18 Oct 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: That is very good. I hope the new body will be a success. It is a big responsibility for Mr. Clark.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: I welcome the statement of the Minister, Deputy Alan Shatter, that all young offenders will be moved from St. Patrick?s Institution by 2014 on foot of the Reilly report. The young people in St. Patrick?s Institution have been humiliated, suffered sensory deprivation and worse. Is it any wonder that children who go there as young offenders sometimes come out badly damaged mentally with cold...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Managing Back to School Costs: Discussion (10 Oct 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: I do not think the costs of going back to school are rising at all but parents are finding it more difficult to meet the costs. The cost of textbooks and school equipment for kids peaked a few years ago. The number of textbooks has been reduced and it should be cut further because there is an over-reliance on textbooks. The point made in the CPSMA submission would cut the cost of going...

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Motion (4 Oct 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: I wish to share time with Senator Colm Burke.

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Motion (4 Oct 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: I welcome the Minister and note there is a delegation of County Louth farmers in the Visitors Gallery, with Ms Elaine Farrell from the Irish Farmers Association. The Minister has stated he is having mature political discussions about the CAP reforms. In Haggardstown, from where I come, this would be known as "a bit of a row". He has also said we will not get everything we want in this...

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Motion (4 Oct 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: I am delighted to hear that there has been a formal withdrawal of the amendment.

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Motion (4 Oct 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: He is accepting the spirit of the amendment. An environmental scheme for disadvantaged areas and hill farmers is important. Will the Minister keep an eye on that one? He is being modest when he claims the proposal for young farmers has been discussed in the negotiations. As far as I know, it was his proposal. On his recent visit to Ardee, County Louth, the Agriculture and Rural...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: I know the public announcement is not until 2 p.m. but I welcome the announcement of the major overhaul of the junior certificate examination. Without going into details, students will be assessed continuously and not by one exam. The measure will be good for the quality of teaching and learning in schools. Education is not about assessment and exams but the quality of teaching and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Entitlements for Self-Employed: Discussion with Self-Employed Alliance Dundalk (3 Oct 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: The point is being made regarding equality. I did not get an answer this morning from the Department of Social Protection as to why PAYE workers would pay a total of 14.75%, made up of rates of 10.75% and 4%, with self-employed people having to pay a rate of 17.3% and not even getting the same benefits. If this has an actuarial basis, we must consider both sectors and formulate one true...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Entitlements for Self-Employed: Discussion with Self-Employed Alliance Dundalk (3 Oct 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: I welcome the Self-Employed Alliance Dundalk. This is a major issue for the entire country and the Department of Social Protection must address it. The cost of providing social insurance for self-employed people will need to be met, but that insurance is necessary, given the significant increase in the number of people seeking help in this regard. I would support a system of social...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Policy to Minimise Unemployment: Discussion with Department of Social Protection (3 Oct 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: Could the officials give us any leaks from the report that is coming out? It would be very helpful.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Policy to Minimise Unemployment: Discussion with Department of Social Protection (3 Oct 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: Deputy O'Dea asked about budgets. What is the budget for the work equipment support grant? Is there a link-up with the HSE with regard to assessing what is needed or does it just pertain to computers and such like? Does the Department take in equipment the HSE also might supply and is there an overlap in this regard? As for the self-employed, the fact that groups such as the Self-Employed...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: I welcome the pupils and teachers of St. Josef school in Rheinbach-Bonn, Germany, who are visiting Ireland. I hope their stay will be enjoyable. As Senator Rónán Mullen said, the NCSE yesterday released its report recommending that teachers receive further training in order to provide behavioural support for students. The report recommended that each school should appoint one teacher to...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: I have something to say about that. Senator White referred to jobs. As a Dundalk girl-----

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: -----she will be pleased to know that there was an announcement on Tuesday that Radio Systems PetSafe Europe Limited is to locate its European headquarters in the square at Dundalk, with 52 jobs created. There are jobs in Dundalk currently and I know she is glad to hear that.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: With regard to Arthur's Day, today is a black day for the Diageo workers in Dundalk who are being kicked out the door. Arthur Guinness would turn in his grave to hear of this. Three years ago, in 2009, a good voluntary redundancy package was offered, with certain workers asked to stay because they were vital to the company. Now, these workers are getting compulsory redundancy, which is not...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: Yes, I want this issue to be raised with the Minister. On Arthur's Day we can think of a worker called Joe, who has worked in the brewery for 35 years and wanted to take early retirement. He is now being shown the door with nothing in comparison to what was offered three years ago. In the early years of the State, Guinness may have had to pay Civil Service wages, and it was a good company...

Seanad: School Transport: Statements (26 Sep 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: This is payback time for the Senator who I slagged about the national recovery plan. The Taoiseach addressed the other issue perfectly well. The criteria were open and transparent.

Seanad: School Transport: Statements (26 Sep 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: I thank the Minister of State for attending the House and congratulate him on his handling of the school transport service.

Seanad: School Transport: Statements (26 Sep 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: One could cut ¤17 million and still have ¤3 million left.