Results 1-20 of 636 for speaker:Joan Freeman

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services Provision (21 Jun 2016)

Joan Freeman: I am honoured to be a Member of the Seanad and grateful for the opportunity to serve my country and to be a representative of the most vulnerable people in our country. It is no secret that I do not have a political bone in my body, and perhaps that is a good thing. However, I take the role of Senator very seriously and for however long the Government exists, I will work tirelessly to help...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services Provision (21 Jun 2016)

Joan Freeman: I am so sorry.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services Provision (21 Jun 2016)

Joan Freeman: I thank the Cathaoirleach and I thank the Minister of State for-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services Provision (21 Jun 2016)

Joan Freeman: In conclusion, I would be more than happy to meet with the Minister of State and come up with a short term response to the problems that are happening now. We could address some of these problems very quickly but we need to meet with other interested parties as well. I hope the Minister of State can agree to that.

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2016: Second Stage (13 Jul 2016)

Joan Freeman: As I said previously, I do not come from a political background. I am talking, therefore, from a position of complete innocence. To be absolutely honest, before Deputy Micheál Martin nominated me to be a Member, my view of the Seanad was exactly how some people had described it. I did not think it held political sway and that the voice of the people would be heard. That was partly...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Mr. Manus Cooney (5 Oct 2016)

Joan Freeman: It is lovely to see Mr. Cooney whom I met a few moments ago. I am delighted he is before the Seanad. I extend my thanks to Senator Lawless for having the intelligence to invite Mr. Cooney to the Seanad in the first instance. His presence has brought up some serious issues. The issue my colleague, Senator Ó Ríordáin, raised a few moments ago had never dawned on me before....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Operations of Oberstown Children Detention Centre (5 Oct 2016)

Joan Freeman: I apologise for being late. I sent my apologies that I would be delayed to the committee this morning. There are so many questions I would like to ask but they have probably already been answered. I believe that members of the committee will make a trip to the centre at some stage.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Operations of Oberstown Children Detention Centre (5 Oct 2016)

Joan Freeman: Are we going to see the real thing or are we going to see the nice part of the organisation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 40 – Department of Children and Youth Affairs (5 Oct 2016)

Joan Freeman: It was good to hear the Minister welcoming a dialogue between Deputies and Senators. It is important she hears what the issues are at ground level. One issue which deeply concerns me, one which I will be focusing on for the next year, is mental health for children and adolescents. It is quite obvious that child psychiatry is dying. We often talk about waiting lists for CAMHS, child and...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Oct 2016)

Joan Freeman: I want to speak about the €35 million allocated to mental health. The announcement was not specific in terms of where the money was to be allocated. My response to that is that this is typical. It is a pacifier for the public in that €35 million sounds great, but the amount has not increased when funding for every other Department has increased. Every Government gives the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: National Collaborative Forum for the Early Years Care and Education Sector: Early Childhood Ireland (19 Oct 2016)

Joan Freeman: Apologies have been received from Deputies Jim Daly and Josepha Madigan. Before we commence I remind witnesses and members to ensure their mobile phones are switched off completely or on airplane mode as they cause interference with the sound and broadcasting system. The purpose of this meeting is a discussion with Early Childhood Ireland on the national collaborative forum for the early...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: National Collaborative Forum for the Early Years Care and Education Sector: Early Childhood Ireland (19 Oct 2016)

Joan Freeman: Thank you, Ms Heeney. That was an important and comprehensive contribution. It has certainly clarified for me the position of Early Childhood Ireland and where we should go next. Does anyone have questions for Ms Heeney?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: National Collaborative Forum for the Early Years Care and Education Sector: Early Childhood Ireland (19 Oct 2016)

Joan Freeman: Before you answer that, Ms Heeney, I will invite another question. We will take two or three questions at a time and then you can answer them. I call on committee members to ask specific questions. Deputy O'Sullivan is next.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: National Collaborative Forum for the Early Years Care and Education Sector: Early Childhood Ireland (19 Oct 2016)

Joan Freeman: Yes, very real. What is the solution?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: National Collaborative Forum for the Early Years Care and Education Sector: Early Childhood Ireland (19 Oct 2016)

Joan Freeman: I thank Ms Heeney. The next two questioners are Deputies Ó Laoghaire and Anne Rabbitte.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: National Collaborative Forum for the Early Years Care and Education Sector: Early Childhood Ireland (19 Oct 2016)

Joan Freeman: I am conscious of the time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: National Collaborative Forum for the Early Years Care and Education Sector: Early Childhood Ireland (19 Oct 2016)

Joan Freeman: I ask Mr. Geoghegan to make it brief.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: National Collaborative Forum for the Early Years Care and Education Sector: Early Childhood Ireland (19 Oct 2016)

Joan Freeman: I am anxious to get two more questions in. I will call Senator Devine followed by Deputy Funchion.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: National Collaborative Forum for the Early Years Care and Education Sector: Early Childhood Ireland (19 Oct 2016)

Joan Freeman: Yes. I thank Ms Hilliard. Do members have further questions?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: National Collaborative Forum for the Early Years Care and Education Sector: Early Childhood Ireland (19 Oct 2016)

Joan Freeman: I agree. Imagine being three years of age and facing a further 17 years of education. That would be so depressing. Does Ms Heeney wish to conclude?