Results 1,141-1,160 of 1,078,514 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Ciarán Cuffe OR speaker:John Lahart OR speaker:Stephen Donnelly) in 'Committee meetings'

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: I completely agree it is not acceptable. This is why I have taken strong, proactive steps to address it since it came to my attention. As well as directing SOLAS that no courses should be cancelled, I directed it to engage with ETBs to set out the programme of phase 2 classes through to the end of the year and to work out funding implications across the board to December. What does the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Jul 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: It would be hard to say I am still not apprehensive about this. We will need some detail on how these postponements will happen. I agree with the Minister that pressure has to be put on in relation to the fact the apprenticeships must not be cancelled. We need to find the money and make sure everything is not held up. I agree with the work being done on the funding implications through to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: The Deputy has engaged in good faith throughout on this matter. I hear his queries and share them. It is important a solution be found, including a funding solution, in the coming weeks. The cut-off for classes starting in December is September. There is a lead-time for apprentices to be called up and September is the deadline for December classes. We do not have time on our side;...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Jul 2025)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: What about the adult education and community piece?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: I do not know if that is connected and it probably would not be wise or fair to start putting on the record things I am not 100% certain on.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Jul 2025)

Apprenticeship Programmes

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Jul 2025)

Grace Boland: 106. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to detail the uptake of the supports to help to achieve a better gender balance in apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37513/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Jul 2025)

Conor Sheehan: I call Deputy O'Connell on behalf of Deputy Boland.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Jul 2025)

Maeve O'Connell: I thank the Minister. Will he detail the update on supports to help to achieve a better gender balance in apprenticeships?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Jul 2025)

Marian Harkin: I thank the Deputy. I really appreciate the question because it is something that is very important to me. Ensuring Ireland's apprenticeship population reflects the diversity in our society is a cornerstone in implementing the Action Plan on Apprenticeships 2021-2025. A key objective of this is improving gender balance across all apprenticeship programmes. In implementing the action...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Fees (8 Jul 2025)

Maeve O'Connell: I have one thing to add. I represent Dublin Rathdown, and UCD is obviously a significant institution within Dublin Rathdown. The key recommendation of the students' union there, in last year's report on student accommodation, was that reducing the student contribution fee is the most effective way to support students and their families. I think that highlights where the students are coming...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Fees (8 Jul 2025)

Barry Heneghan: I reiterate the worry and terror that the Minister's words have spread. I know he has mentioned the great stuff he is doing, but for these parents who are struggling and the students who are struggling to pay their own way through college, is there reassurance he can give to them? I understand that he is tied by the budget of the Government, and he does not want to speak too soon. As...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Fees (8 Jul 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Minister has spoken in great detail about the various supports that exist for students, but the issue people want clarity on and need to know about is the question of how much the student contribution will be in September. The reason they are asking that question is because of his comments on "This Week". He opened this Pandora's box, and he has the capacity to close it if he so wishes....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Fees (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: Part of me is surprised at the surprise, because I said this at parliamentary questions in February, March and April. I said it in the Irish Examiner, in The Irish Times and in other local radio interviews. I said it in multiple places, so I wonder why anyone feigns surprise. Of course, the general public do not tune into this Chamber, but there are spokespersons and people in the House,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Fees (8 Jul 2025)

Louis O'Hara: I raised the case of a woman in my constituency, and I ask the Minister for a response to that particular case and the questions that woman has about how she is expected to afford an increase in fees. Students need to be able to plan and budget in advance for the upcoming academic year and they need certainty around this. I want to know because this is the second time in recent weeks that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Fees (8 Jul 2025)

Barry Heneghan: I understand the constraints the Minister is under when it comes to the budget, and he is not 100% aware of what will be in his Department. I go back to my other question. I was wondering if he would clarify his opinion. He will obviously be looking at students in this. The huge burden they have at the moment is accommodation, especially students who are coming to visit and to live in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Fees (8 Jul 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Minister is right. I was in government when the cost-of-living measures in the area of the student contribution were agreed. That is why, whereas there is a lot on the programme for Government I am critical of, I welcomed the commitment in there to continue to reduce the student contribution fee over the lifetime of the Government. I took from that the clear meaning that every student...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Fees (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: An Teachta Heneghan spoke about student accommodation and backyard cabins and such like. Regardless of whether I comment on my own brief, it would probably be unhelpful if I were to start commenting on the Minister for housing's brief. I hear what the Deputy is saying, and I will mention those points to the Minister. I am not across that section so it would not be appropriate for me to get...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Further and Higher Education (8 Jul 2025)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I thank the Minister for being straight and upfront on the issue. I am glad that he has acknowledged that there is a dynamic between SOLAS and the ETBs and that this is probably an annual thing but there are still issues. If I went on the Internet tonight, I would see that there is allegedly an issue in Donegal. It is reported that there is a shortfall of €2.1 million. In Louth and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Further and Higher Education (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: This came to my attention about a month ago. I addressed it in the Chamber shortly after that. That funding pressure arises from apprentices being in the system for longer than was ever anticipated because of backlogs that arose previously. They are on an incremental scale so, as they remain in the system, they become eligible for higher rates. This means there was a requirement for...