Results 1-20 of 619 for speaker:John Connolly

Men's Health: Statements (22 Oct 2025)

John Connolly: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. To echo some of the sentiments of Deputy Lahart, there is a sense that men do not look after their own physical health and, possibly, mental health as well as they should. Opportunities like this to highlight the need to make sure people are aware of the supports that are available, and that it is important to look after their health,...

National Training Fund (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Oct 2025)

John Connolly: I think I have said it all. I compliment the Minister and Minister of State and look forward to seeing the implementation of this over the coming years.

National Training Fund (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Oct 2025)

John Connolly: I welcome today's debate. It is a significant day for third level education in the State. It indicates the commitment of this Government and that of the Minister to the development of the sector and, as he has rightly said time and again, the crucial nature it has in terms of the provision of skills. As the Minister, Deputy Lawless, has always said, this portfolio has an economic impact,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (16 Oct 2025)

John Connolly: I welcome the fact the Minister has outlined a method that prioritises being fair, whereby we give every option to ensure the detail is clear for the family about having that non-adjacent categorisation. There is one thing we should examine, namely, the household income threshold. This should reflect in some way the institution the student wishes to attend. If we take my own example, I am...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (16 Oct 2025)

John Connolly: I welcome that. Again, it contributes to the impression I have of the Minister in terms of innovation and what he is bringing to this Department to make sure more people can access third level education and that no opportunity is denied. To reiterate, there is some inequity in that household income is assessed irrespective of a student's adjacency or proximity to the third level...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (16 Oct 2025)

John Connolly: I compliment the recent changes made by the Minister in the budget to increase the income thresholds for the SUSI support and to put more families in a position to get the SUSI grant. Will the Minister's Department review the method used to calculate commuting distances for the SUSI adjacency grant eligibility?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Oideachas Tríú Leibhéal (16 Oct 2025)

John Connolly: 6. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills cad iad na beartais agus gníomhartha atá á ndéanamh ag a Roinn chun cur le líon agus raon na gcúrsaí trí mheán na Gaeilge atá ar fáil do mhic léinn sna forais ardoideachais; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56314/25]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Oideachas Tríú Leibhéal (16 Oct 2025)

John Connolly: Cuirim ceist ar an Aire faoi na hiarrachtaí ar siúl ag an Roinn chun cur le líon agus raon na gcúrsaí trí mheán na Gaeilge atá ar fáil do mhic léinn sa chóras ardoideachais. Is léir nach bhfuil mórán acu ann. Níl faoi láthair ach 1,779 mac léinn i mbun staidéir i nGaeilge amháin, agus tá...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Oideachas Tríú Leibhéal (16 Oct 2025)

John Connolly: Molaim iarrachtaí an Aire an cheist a fhreagairt i nGaeilge. Tá mé fíorbhuíoch dó as sin. To put things in numerical perspective, 8% of children can attend primary school through Irish, and 3.8% of those proceed to attend secondary school in Irish. However, titeann sé sin go dtí níos lú ná 1% sna hinstitiúidí...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Oideachas Tríú Leibhéal (16 Oct 2025)

John Connolly: We should look at that Welsh model. It is a state framework for the promotion of courses through the Welsh language across their third level institutions. It has doubled since 2011 the number of students completing their third level education through Welsh. It offers additional grants to the institutions to offer courses through Welsh and scholarships to students. Those people from...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Human Rights and International Standards for Traveller and Roma Communities: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (16 Oct 2025)

John Connolly: I echo Senator Noonan's earlier comments about the profound nature of IHREC's initial statement and how it highlights the breadth of work that is ahead of us in terms of the issues that affect the Traveller community and the work that we must do to address those. The measurement of progress has been mentioned a lot. The commission laments the continued lack of legal recognition of...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Human Rights and International Standards for Traveller and Roma Communities: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (16 Oct 2025)

John Connolly: Yes.

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Human Rights and International Standards for Traveller and Roma Communities: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (16 Oct 2025)

John Connolly: I want to respond to the comments that Mr. Herrick made about the education system. I think the progression that has been made in recent years in curricular development and more inclusive practices in schools is much better placed than he acknowledged. As Senator Rabbitte pointed out, why are we not seeing that in attainment among the Traveller community?

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Human Rights and International Standards for Traveller and Roma Communities: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (16 Oct 2025)

John Connolly: On the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the State's response to it, does that come under the remit of the Department of justice?

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Human Rights and International Standards for Traveller and Roma Communities: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (16 Oct 2025)

John Connolly: I have no legal background but with regard to section 19 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003, I have heard stories similar to those recounted by Senator Rabbitte. It obviously does not allow the same recourse to members of the Traveller community to take legal cases as it might for other groups being discriminated against.

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Human Rights and International Standards for Traveller and Roma Communities: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (16 Oct 2025)

John Connolly: Even if it were not a labour relations issue or was not something relevant to employment?

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Human Rights and International Standards for Traveller and Roma Communities: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (16 Oct 2025)

John Connolly: Mr. Herrick suggests that we scrutinise how the obligations of equality bodies such as IHREC are being fulfilled and how accessible and available they are. What changes does he propose? Obviously, additional resourcing would be one. Are there specific changes he feels we should introduce that would make bodies such as IHREC more accessible and available to members of the Traveller community?

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Human Rights and International Standards for Traveller and Roma Communities: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (16 Oct 2025)

John Connolly: Resourcing will be a significant issue.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (16 Oct 2025)

John Connolly: 34. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the implementation of the Public Service Apprenticeship Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55561/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (16 Oct 2025)

John Connolly: 66. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he plans to review the operation of the student grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55562/25]