Results 1-20 of 132 for long speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: School Enrolments: Motion (17 Apr 2024)

Maria Byrne: ...up as many people will be looking for school places. The experience from Limerick has been referred to here by many people. It works most of the time, but not always. That is clear. It took a long time to get it almost right and it is still not perfect. For many years, we were in the news for the wrong reasons when people could not get school places. Senator Kyne mentioned that...

Seanad: International Women's Day: Statements (6 Mar 2024)

Maria Byrne: ...International Women's Day to everybody present and especially to my female colleagues. We will celebrate the day on Friday. International Women's Day stated in 1909 in the USA. That is quite a long time ago and the day has been celebrated for many years. The Minister in his speech referred to how far we have come in terms of gender equality and addressing gender-based violence. I pay...

Seanad: Community Safety and Investment: Motion [Private Members] (28 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: We have come a long way since.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Schemes (27 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to discuss this all-important topic. My question is to do with the tenant in situ scheme and how long it takes for the AHBs to complete sales. I have been dealing with a number of people who are trying to avail of the tenantin situscheme. One particular person who comes to mind - and this relates to Limerick City and County Council -...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Schemes (27 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: ...legal rights. It was tied up in the fair deal nursing home scheme. The issue is that the lady who is selling the house is now talking about pulling out of the deal as it has been going on for so long. Obviously, she wants to get probate sorted out and her relative's affairs in order. The family in the house is now left in limbo. They are being told that if the problem is not solved...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Nov 2023)

Maria Byrne: First, I would like to say to the Corbett family in America that they are in my thoughts. I know the Corbetts well. The way the two young people, Jack and Sarah, conducted themselves over quite a long while is to be commended. I also commend Tracey Corbett Lynch, who is their aunt and stepmother, for all she has done for them over the last number of years. I am thinking of them during...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Nov 2023)

Maria Byrne: ...hospital and they wanted to explain that but they could not get though to do that. It is totally unsatisfactory and Revenue needs to open its doors. The public health restrictions were lifted a long time ago at this stage and Revenue is still not back to a normal working day.

Seanad: Disability Allowance: Motion (11 Oct 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming to discuss this important issue and I thank Senator Clonan for tabling this Private Members' motion. As long as I have known the Minister, she has been very committed to people with disabilities. We see this in what she has done since she assumed the role of Minister for Social Protection, for example, by increasing payments and working with people. I...

Seanad: Budget 2024 (Finance): Statements (10 Oct 2023)

Maria Byrne: ...come from abroad, including from America, as well as the main film producers across Europe. When the regional uplift was in place they were able to do business a little more efficiently as they had a tax credit. It encouraged long-term filming. I would like it to be looked at. On insurance, I compliment the Minister of State personally, as it is an area she has taken a great interest...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Pension Provisions (22 Jun 2023)

Maria Byrne: ...is good to hear the Department is considering is looking at the issue of PRSI. This is very important because so many people are now going on to third level education and some are even taking the long route, as the Minister of State would be aware, because I know that under his own brief how very involved he is with the whole apprenticeship side and how people are progressing up through...

Seanad: Capital Investment in the Health Service: Statements (1 Jun 2023)

Maria Byrne: ...with mental health issues. Will the Minister look at that matter? Will he also look at the services provided to the likes of the 5B unit? I know from a patient who is there and has been for quite a long time that they needed a hoist recently and there is no hoist in the 5B unit. There are other things. A speech and language therapist had to be brought in from another hospital. It is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 May 2023)

Maria Byrne: ...I thank them for the role they play, the engagement they have with all of us, and the different visits they make to our constituencies, where they have met educational institutions and businesses. Long may that continue. I congratulate the Leader and welcome her back after her wedding. It is good to have her back. It would be remiss of me not to raise the issue of University Hospital...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Apr 2023)

Maria Byrne: ...2030 for giving them temporary access to a unit in the Cleeves Riverside Quarter site on the North Circular Road. They will be able to use the facilities there for a number of years as there is a long-term plan for the site. The first responders have been operating out of each other's houses and supporting one another in that way. The provision of temporary accommodation is welcome but...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2023: Second Stage (25 Apr 2023)

Maria Byrne: ...extension of the 9% VAT rate on electricity and gas. More vulnerable and older people are receiving the €200 cost-of-living payment this Friday. That will help with their electricity and gas costs, along with the VAT rate being kept down until the end of October 2023. I am still concerned however especially for the more vulnerable people. For example, an older lady I met lately...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (20 Apr 2023)

Maria Byrne: ...behalf, I would like that Fine Gael will be supporting the Bill. The Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022 is about strengthening the Bill that is already in existence. While we have gone a long way, this will go further in making sure that all the correct procedures are put in place. It is really important in terms of transparency as well as in terms of Senators, Deputies and...

Seanad: Housing: Statements (29 Mar 2023)

Maria Byrne: ...the ground floor and in many towns and cities there are two and three floors above that with no one living in them. If we could consider extending Croí Cónaithe to that type of building, it would go a long way. It would also bring people back to live in our towns and cities. I understand a review of housing density guidelines is ongoing. Will the Minister of State give an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Implementation of Sláintecare Reforms: Department of Health and HSE (29 Mar 2023)

Maria Byrne: ...in people being discharged. Is it due to a shortage of beds in nursing homes or a shortage around community care and home help? On the mental health services, I understand quite a few people are long term in the likes of unit 5B. My understanding is that there is no physiotherapy service there currently, and that there are no hoists available in the unit either. Those issues are...

Seanad: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Statements (1 Feb 2023)

Maria Byrne: ...resolutions to some of the issues highlighted, certainly by the families and especially regarding CHO 3? Some people I know would benefit from a telephone call or from seeing the doctor in person. How long are the waiting lists in CHO 3? Perhaps the Minister of State cannot answer that today but perhaps she can revert to me on it. Is there a plan to have a CAMHS unit in the mid-west...

Seanad: UL Hospitals Group: Motion (1 Feb 2023)

Maria Byrne: ...to people - the staff, the people who have visited the hospital, patients and their families - and that must be acknowledged. As Senator Conway outlined, this has been going on for an awfully long time. I come from Limerick city, which is the third largest city. We have the main hospital and the level 2 hospitals - St John's Hospital, and Nenagh and Ennis hospitals. Croom Hospital is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jan 2023)

Maria Byrne: ...are being made for the current cohort of leaving certificate students, it does not look like there will be any for those coming up behind. Those students were missing from school for a long period. I am going to write to the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, but I would appreciate if the Leader could support me in respect of this matter because it affects many current fifth year...