News & Statements

Parliamentary Question addressed to the Minister for Education and Skills

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if staff paid directly by a recognised school or Vocational Education Committee, whose salaries were adjusted with effect from January 2011, in accordance with the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009, and in line with Department of Education Circular Number 0070/2010, will receive an increase in salary under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015?

Clune votes to increase funding for missing children hotlines

Ireland South Fine Gael MEP, Deirdre Clune has supported a budget amendment in the European Parliament that increases funding for missing children hotlines across Europe. Commenting on the increase in funding Clune says that the hotlines are still underfunded and that we are not doing enough to help vulnerable children.

New cross-border taskforce is key to tackling organised crime – Coghlan

Speaking in the Seanad today (Tuesday), Fine Gael Senator for Kerry, Paul Coghlan, has backed Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan in his call for a new cross-border taskforce, a measure recommended by the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly report, published in February.

Youth unemployment falls to 6 year low – Corcoran Kennedy

Fine Gael TD for Laois/Offaly and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Jobs Committee, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, has said that while the fall in unemployment to 9.3% is welcome, it is the drop in youth unemployment to a six year low that is most encouraging.

Dáil Question on Garda Allocation Per County

DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald) by Deputy Anthony Lawlor for WRITTEN on Tuesday, 3rd November, 2015. * To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the locations where newly trained Gardaí from Templemore, since it has re-opened, have been allocated, by county; if priority has been given to counties where there are Garda shortages, such as in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Dáil Question on Leaving Certificate Failure Policy

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm if there is a policy in place whereby a definite percentage of students sitting each Leaving Certificate subject will fail every year; if so, if this a set figure, or does it change according to the year in question; if this decision is made before the paper is given to the students; her views that this policy discourages students from taking particular subjects, such as honours maths, which will have a negative impact on project maths; and if she will make a statement on the matter.