Results 21-40 of 1,023,877 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Ciarán Cuffe OR speaker:Michael McNamara OR speaker:Richard Bruton) in 'Committee meetings'

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Prison Service (2 May 2024)

Patrick Costello: The challenge is that the tangible incentives the Minister for Justice referred to in her prepared response are gone. Moving out of the progression unit means moving from an environment with no drug use to one with significant issues with drug use, and moving from an environment where education is available to one where educational options are frequently closed, with fewer teachers and fewer...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Prison Service (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: The Deputy will appreciate we are in very challenging circumstances at the moment and the Irish Prison Service is doing everything it can to manage the prison population in a fair and equitable manner that continues to support the rehabilitation of those in custody. To ensure we have the capacity needed to provide that safe and secure custody, we have modernised the Mountjoy complex,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Business Supports (2 May 2024)

Business Supports

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Business Supports (2 May 2024)

Chris Andrews: Earlier this week, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage made another big announcement with little substance behind it. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, said he was going to waive the fees for local businesses for outdoor seating, but he has provided little clarity around that. There was no clarity for the local businesses because there was no engagement with them....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Business Supports (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: I thank Deputy Andrews for raising this issue, which relates to the proposed Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2024. First, I must state that under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, the Minister with responsibility for planning is specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in respect of any particular planning...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Business Supports (2 May 2024)

Chris Andrews: The Minister of State might clarify something. My understanding is that the charge of €125 per table will be waived. However, the cost for renting the space, which can work out between €200 and €400 per square metre, is not going to be waived. Obviously, that it is a huge expense. The waiving of the charge of €125 will going to have a huge impact. It is...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Business Supports (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: I can confirm that the power with regard to this fee falls under section 262(4) of the Act, which relates to the fees payable for street furniture, which amount to €125. I would also point out that this was done in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in non-election years. The Minister will sign the regulation at the earliest opportunity. We have just completed a range of supports for small...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (2 May 2024)

Thomas Gould: Kinsale and Bandon are not local, just to let the Minister of State know that. I see parents who have to take their kids all over Cork. It is not good enough.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (2 May 2024)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: It seems to me that the NCSE is the body that has significant questions to answer about how it conducts its business, if it took three years to conclude what the Department had concluded in 2021. There is progress. The Minister is going to meet and hopefully matters will move on for the children, who are the most important people, and they will be looked after.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (2 May 2024)

Schools Building Projects

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (2 May 2024)

Dessie Ellis: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a bheith anseo. Scoil Chiaráin was founded in 1970 and educates boys and girls of primary and post-primary age with mild to moderate special needs. Scoil Chiaráin helps them to develop socially and educationally within a stimulating, friendly environment. Every child, particularly those with special needs, should be given whatever supports...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ceist Scoil Chiaráin a ardú inniu. As the Deputy said, a major building project to provide new accommodation for the students of Scoil Chiaráin is included in the Department of Education’s construction programme being delivered under the National Development Plan, NDP, as part of Project Ireland 2040. The major building project...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (2 May 2024)

Dessie Ellis: Scoil Chiaráin, as I said, is a unique, special school covering the north side of Dublin. It has been more than ten years since the school was surveyed and deemed not fit for purpose. The planning permission was granted in 2021. What the Deputy outlined is going to take us to 2026 and beyond, from what I understand. That is unacceptable. The Minister, Deputy Foley, and the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: I did not mention 2026 in my remarks.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (2 May 2024)

Dessie Ellis: The Minister of State did say that stage 3-----

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: There have been considerable changes to the design and plan of the school. The Department is aware of the current condition of the buildings at Scoil Chiaráin. It is committed to progressing the major school building project and to assist the school to maintain its existing accommodation pending the delivery. As I said, the Department is currently reviewing all its building projects...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (2 May 2024)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Before I call the Minister of State to respond, I wish to make the procedures here quite clear. When a Deputy tables an issue for a Topical Issue debate and it is selected, the Department is notified. If the Department is not able to supply a Minister or a Minister of State, the Department is required to contact the Member and tell them so. The Member may then decide to proceed with the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: Go raibh maith agat. Gabhaim buíochas arís le gach Teachta as scéal Scoil Eoin a ardú inniu. On behalf of the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, I will outline how the Department and the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, continue to support children with special educational needs around the country and I will deal especially with the issues raised. It...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (2 May 2024)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Am I to understand from the reply that the Department carried out an in-depth review of the site in 2021 and that it took until January 2024 for the NCSE to confirm that three classes were needed, which it knew were needed before it started in the first place? Is that what the reply is saying?

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: Yes.