Results 1-20 of 1,226 for at speaker:Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Teacher Training (15 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I am used to generic responses to Topical Issue matters, and I am not blaming the Minister of State for this one, but the question I raised was to discuss the need to provide primary teacher training in Cork. The Minister of State's reply must add up to a few hundred words, none of which is "Cork" and none of which deals with the specific issue, namely, the location of teacher training,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Teacher Training (15 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Currently, it is not possible to avail of primary teacher education in the Cork area. People have to leave Cork. There is a serious gap in provision. It is well worth exploring. The Minister of State is aware that the cost-of-living crisis is having a significant impact on students' choices. Previously, people in outlying areas might have moved to Cork, Limerick or Dublin but...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (14 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 534. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 445 and 446 of 8 May 2024, the estimated breakdown of the 13,000 State-owned beds targeted by 2028 that would be specifically dedicated to reception and integration centres available to IP applicants for at least six months and accommodation centres available to IP...

Challenges Facing the Childcare and Nursing Home Sectors: Motion [Private Members] (9 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I will speak briefly to both sectors in question. What they have in common, and the motion speaks very clearly about this, is how when public goods and what should be public services are left to the private sector to the extent that they have been, you limit your levers and influence over them. The Government has many levers and influence over them, but it would be far more preferable to...

Progressing Special Education Provision: Statements (9 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I wish to flag two issues. One is a general issue. Scoil Eoin in Ballincollig has been trying to secure special classes for children with autism since 2013. That is over ten years ago. The principal, staff and board of management have done all they can for the Department of Education to secure funding to provide these classes but they have been blocked at every opportunity. Ballincollig...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Schemes (9 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: That is precisely right. That is what a lot of the strategy needs to be. Retail is part of the solution but we also need families in our town centres. The two drive each other. I welcome the funding. We discussed it last week with the Heritage Council, which, along with several other stakeholders, was before the Oireachtas committee on the issue of dereliction. One area that got funding...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Schemes (9 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: It is a matter we return to again and again. We had a fruitful discussion in the Oireachtas committee recently regarding dereliction. It frustrates people enormously and it has a huge impact on morale in towns and villages, and indeed in city centre areas as well, when they see dereliction, particularly at a time when there is such great housing need. I know it falls between two...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Library Services (9 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 30. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development what efforts are underway to increase library membership and participation; and to provide an update on membership numbers at local authority libraries each year over the past five years. [20944/24]

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I will quote from the response the Minister of State gave. He stated, "I know that my colleague the Minister of State with responsibility for disability services, Deputy Rabbitte, is fully committed to the continued development and enhancement of our children’s disability services through the implementation of the progressing disability services", and it carried on like that. I then...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Education is about ensuring that every child can reach his or her greatest potential and thrive. Obviously, that means a great deal of different things to individual children and families. For children in special schools and children in places like St. Killian's Special School, which is a remarkable place, therapies are absolutely crucial to ensuring that those children can reach their...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: We are in danger of overly complicating matters. To some extent, this is a break with previous practice. In the Minister's opinion, board members must have knowledge and experience of matters relating to the interests of employees. That could be an employment lawyer who has occasionally represented workers but spent most of their life representing employers. That is a legitimate pursuit,...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I support both amendments but I am primarily speaking to Deputy Ó Cathasaigh's amendment. It is very rational and logical. While I disagree with a fundamental element of who is responsible for the investment, auto-enrolment is crucial in the long term. We need to consider the types of investment that are made, both for those beneficiaries in the industry but also the wider social...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: That is what is at issue here.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I move amendment No. 6: In page 43, line 17, to delete “6 months” and substitute “1 day”. This is not our primary objection to the legislation. That primarily relates to the manner of investment. However, we are conscious of the cost-of-living crisis. For somebody on a low income, earning €20,000 a year, the deduction is €5.76 a week or...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: That is all right. I can see the arguments. I am very conscious of the cost-of-living crisis that is there at the minute, but I understand the Minister's point. I will press the amendment in any event. I understand the Minister's rationale, but people are under financial pressure.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: We have a very serious concern about this section and amending it is our primary objective with this legislation. I am disappointed my two amendments have been ruled out of order. I will consider, having spoken to the Chair, whether there is scope to resubmit on Report Stage and I retain that prerogative. Our approach will not come as a surprise to the Minister because we have been...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I want to express concern about what was raised by Deputy McNamara. It is very serious and I hope it can be clarified at the earliest stage possible. I want to raise the issue of buses. Hardly a week goes by without my office being contacted by several people for whom buses have disappeared. The buses never show up or they are extremely late.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: At the minute it certainly does seem like that. I want to make very clear that it is not the responsibility of the drivers. What is happening fundamentally is that there is a shortage of drivers in Cork city. I would be very surprised if the Tánaiste's office is not getting the same calls. Many routes are particularly badly affected, including the 14, the 203, which was the...