John Connolly
Galway West · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“The decision of the Government to purchase the Hammerson site on O'Connell Street - the site of the old Carlton Cinema - clearly shows the intent and determination of the Government to progress and complete the MetroLink project.”
“I mention one such community organisation in my constituency, Connemara Care, which provides home care and support for the elderly, people with disabilities, and people with dementia.”
“I had been aware that the deceased man had been diagnosed with dementia some years earlier. When I expressed my condolences to my friend, his response really struck me. He said that this was the second time they had lost their father.”
“If we can look at training more people in this area and promoting this as a profession, it might help. A concern has been brought to my attention but I do not want to imply wrongdoing on anyone's behalf. A family asked me to get clarity. They were provided with home care hours to be provided by a private company.”
“Families want to support that wish for their own loved ones and I know that across the House, Government and Opposition want to support this. Our health service should be structured to support that. However, in the correspondence that we have received, concerns have emerged regarding the availability of HSE home support services.”
“Cuirfidh mé tús le m'óráid leis an méid ar chríochnaigh an Teachta Aird leis. Molaim an tAire Stáit go bhfuil sé anseo le linn na díospóireachta ar fad. Tá sé anseo ag fanacht. Ní dheachaigh sé amach as an Seomra.”
The complete record
Every one of 425 lines we hold for John Connolly, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 9.
“I know the members of the executive of the GRETB are anxious to progress it. I do not think they would be offended by my saying they are becoming a little bit frustrated by the assessment process it must go through before they are given the green light to develop the facility. Will the Minister of State discuss that with the Minister, Deputy Lawless, and the Department of further and higher education, so that the project comes to fruition at the earliest opportunity? There is another thing that, in a general sense, it is important to raise during this debate. Participation in lifelong learning in Ireland lags behind other EU countries.”
“We met recently with the board and the Minister, Deputy Lawless, met with the executive of the GRETB. There are very exciting plans there. The further education sector has become a real option for young people on their conclusion of secondary school. We need to provide the facilities to match those opportunities. The Galway college of further education is an exciting development. The proposed building is based on the Tuam Road in Galway. It would expand access to training and skill development, support regional economic development and strengthen the links between education and enterprise. I will not say there are barriers or impediments. It is progressing but the pace of progress from concept to reality is slower than we would like. We would like to think development could be quicker.”
“Dá dtógfaí mé le Gaeilge, ba cheart go mbeadh na deiseanna agam staidéar a dhéanamh trí mheán na Gaeilge ag gach leibhéal oideachais – ag leibhéil na bunscoile agus meánscoile agus ag an tríú leibhéal chomh maith. Níl na deiseanna sin ann faoi láthair. Ba cheart dúinn breathnú air sin, go háirithe má tá muid dáiríre faoin sprioc atá againn go mbeidh 20% den earnáil phoiblí in ann Gaeilge a labhairt go líofa faoi 2030. Caithfidh muid a bheith cinnte go bhfuil an córas oideachais agus an córas oiliúna in ann an sprioc sin a bhaint amach. Another local development that is crucial to the advancement of the education sector and the realisation of the skill development we want to see in the country, particularly in Galway, is the college of further education that is being proposed by the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board.”
“These disciplines develop creativity, critical thinking and cultural confidence, and that is vital to a functioning and creative society and economy. Is mian liom ceist a ardú faoi na deiseanna atá ar fáil – nó easpa deiseanna atá ann faoi láthair – chun staidéar a dhéanamh trí mheán na Gaeilge ag an tríú leibhéal. Labhraíonn muid go rialta ag an gcoiste Gaeilge agus ag an gcoiste ardoideachais agus breisoideachais agus deirimid nach bhfuil go leor deiseanna faoi láthair do dhaoine a bhfuil an Ghaeilge acu mar chéadtheanga staidéar a dhéanamh trí mheán na Gaeilge ag an tríú leibhéal. Caithfidh muid breathnú air seo. Ní hamháin gur rud teanga é seo, ach is é an rud ceart é.”
“It is deep-rooted in Galway in that the city has a strong creative and cultural identity and a strong tradition in the creative arts going back some time. We are well known for the traditional Irish arts but, even in more recent years, the range and spectrum of artistic endeavour in Galway city is ever growing. That is one of the things that has created this innovation in science and technology in the city. It is fuelled by that creativity. For that reason, it is important our approach to research and education be balanced. While investment in STEM is hugely important and will ensure we have the workforce to fill the jobs I speak of, we must also support other areas of research and academic endeavour, such as humanities, the arts, history and sociology.”
“The Irish workforce's strong foundation has been referenced frequently throughout this debate. We have one of the youngest and most educated workforces in Europe and continue to attract significant investment because of that, particularly in high-value sectors such as med tech and ICT. Galway has become a global leader in medical technology, employing thousands in companies that export worldwide. Within the city, we are conscious of its importance and we want to develop it further and to create a workforce in the city and the region that can facilitate that growing sector. I do not think that success in the med tech sector - we are also enjoying some development in the whole tech sector - in Galway emerged in isolation.”
“It is not that I oppose the cycles lanes - I welcome them - but, as Deputy Lahart said, there seems to be a lack of co-ordination between active travel and public transport within the NTA. There is one part of the city I must mention in the context of Galway’s bus strategy, namely, the Upper Ballymoneen Road. It needs a bus turning bay, which is a simple provision. I ask the Minister of State to look at that.”
“However, to highlight something Deputy Lahart spoke about, there is a lack of co-ordination with regard to the relationship between the NTA and the local authority, and even within the NTA itself. There is no bus priority measure from that park and ride site on the west of the city. The bus will leave the park and ride facility and join regular traffic. I cannot see the public accepting or using that. The most bizarre part of the story is that the NTA brought forward and completed a Part 8 planning process for active travel cycle lanes on that same road. It should and could have developed bus priority measures along the same road to ensure that the park and ride facility would be used by the public. I cannot understand how the Part 8 was brought forward for cycle lanes but not for bus priority.”
“It was done via Zoom because the team was based in Dublin. It presented us with what the park and ride strategy for Galway city would be. It included the development of park and ride facilities on the N83, north of Claregalway; on the N6, which is the Galway-Dublin road; and at Oranmore train station. They were seen as the sites that would be prioritised. Four years later, however, we have yet to see land purchased for the facilities on the N83 or the N6. We are also yet to see the planning application being made to extend the car parking provision at Oranmore train station. It is deeply frustrating. We have since seen the policy changed somewhat, which I welcome. There is now a proposal to develop a park and ride facility on the western side of the city on the end of the Western Distributor Road. That is welcome.”
“I think it will start with a review of the existing Galway transport strategy. Unfortunately, the reality is that review will show that much of what was planned in the 2016 strategy has been unfulfilled. Other than the redevelopment of Ceannt Station with the development of the five platforms there and a number of active travel measures across the city, we have not seen significant development of transport or public transport infrastructure in Galway city. I will provide an example of how frustrating this can be for members of a local authority when feel they have some input into the transport policy of the local authority. In October 2022, which is coming up on four years ago, when I was as a member of the local authority, I first received a presentation from the Galway park and ride strategy team.”
“While that may not have any significant meaning, the inference could be that Dublin gets greater priority from the NTA than the regional cities. We should do everything we can to ensure that is not the case and that it is not even inferred by the operation of the NTA. I got some good news yesterday regarding transport planning in Galway, that the NTA has commenced the development of the Galway metropolitan area transport strategy. It is the only city that has not had its transport strategy reviewed since 2016. That decision was made based on the fact that a central part of the transport strategy, the Galway city ring road, had not been decided upon - the planning process had not been completed. That was completed last night and now we are moving on to develop a transport strategy in Galway with that as a focus or a central part of it.”
“I have often thought that it might be an idea to have two separate authorities, one transport authority for the greater Dublin region and one for the regional cities. I share some of the concerns that I have heard expressed by other Members, including Deputy Lahart before me. We only have this opportunity to get this right and we should use it to make sure that we do that. One of the things that is notable about the existing 2008 legislation creating the Dublin Transport Authority, subsequently the National Transport Authority, is that one of the members of the NTA board is the CEO of Dublin City Council. While that is probably appropriate, the same opportunity is not presented to the CEO of Cork City Council, Galway City Council or Limerick City and County Council.”
“I cannot say that I did not have concerns about this Bill when I noted it on the summer legislative agenda. Perhaps it was a misunderstanding of its intention. As I had read it, my concept was that this was a further centralising of the decision-making process on transport policy by the NTA at the expense of local authority members. The Minister, Deputy O’Brien, has assured me that is not the intention of the change and that will not be its impact, which I welcome. However, I have to speak from a regional perspective. In Galway when we debate transport policy and transport infrastructure projects, I cannot help feeling at times that Galway is an afterthought for the NTA. Maybe people from other regional cities think similarly. Maybe people from Dublin think that too much of the NTA time focuses on the regional cities.”
“The Taoiseach recently alluded to the historic success of the social partnership model in the country and the impact and role it had in maintaining living standards, social cohesion and limiting industrial action. In alluding to that, I was hoping that we might be in a position to say that we are to commence a new period of social partnership between the employers, employees, and the Government as well. I ask the Taoiseach to update the House on whether such efforts can be made real.”
“We are at a point now where we need the transport authorities to engage proactively with the families in a sympathetic, purposeful but definite and direct manner to reduce that uncertainty and give clarity to where they currently are and also to recognise the challenging circumstances these families have endured for the past decade. This was the second time planning was granted for the road. These families require some certainty.”
“There was widespread relief among the general population in Galway, and particularly among the local authorities and transport authorities, following the recent decision of An Coimisiún Pleanála to grant approval for the Galway city ring road. This will obviously allow for the development of the road but also enable the city to develop a new metropolitan transport strategy. One group of people for whom the road development has had a direct and probably greater significance are the 54 homeowners who will be subject to compulsory purchase as part of the process. These families were first advised in the winter of 2015 that their homes were along the preferred route corridor of the new road. There has been a long period of uncertainty for these families.”
“We heard earlier the impression some like to portray of the World Economic Forum. I noted that in some of the discussions the Taoiseach attended and some of the engagements he participated in, there was widespread discussion on the whole area of social cohesion. Could he outline today some of what was discussed in terms of developing further cohesion among all nations and across nations? He might extend that into some discussions there may have been around the cost-of-living pressures, including issues of poverty and inequality, with a particular reference to the increased effort Europe is making to increasing competitiveness and productivity, the reforms that are needed in that area and how it is going to make sure living standards are improved through them.”
“I very much welcome the Tánaiste's support for the initiative. My understanding of it is that while the local authorities would be the gatherers of the tax, it does require Department of Finance legislative change to try to make sure it is possible and feasible for them to do so. There is a sincerity and a genuine need for it in those cities or regional towns where there are significant numbers of tourists. There is an increased need for services, such as street cleaning at festivals, and all the types of services that visitors expect to see when they come to enjoy these occasions. I am delighted to see the Tánaiste is open to the idea. I hope that we can progress it and allow the local authorities to include it as part of their budgetary framework in terms of revenue generation.”
“In fact, I think Galway City Council made the initial invitation to or request of the Department of Finance to introduce some type of tourism tax, where the regional or local authority could benefit from additional revenues generated by people coming to spend time in the cities.”
“The Tánaiste will be aware that the national planning framework proposes to distribute the future population growth of the country equally between the greater Dublin region, the regional cities and the metropolitan areas that surround them. To facilitate that, we need enhanced infrastructure development, and we need to increase housing options for people in those locations. We also need to look at enterprise and fiscal measures to promote the development of industries at home and attract greater foreign direct investment into those regional cities. I do not think we should rule out targeted fiscal measures at those locations. There is one other thing I would like to get the Tánaiste's opinion on. We have seen it recently with Dublin City Council.”
“I ask the Minister for an update on the fiscal measures currently in place to support enterprise development and investment in regional towns and rural communities; the further tax-based initiatives being examined to promote balanced economic growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter”
“People will be familiar with terms like CAMHS, CAMHS-ID, community psychology, disability network teams and assessments of need. It is crucial that we actively seek to implement a service such that there is no wrong door for the parent, that whatever referral they receive can act on the needs of their child and that these services work together and co-ordinate together to make sure that the child receives the appropriate service they need in a timely manner.”
“We all very much welcome the introduction, as the Taoiseach mentioned, of the new therapy and education service that will be implemented in special schools from next September. I very much welcome this for two schools in my constituency, Ábalta Special School and St. Joseph's Special School. One other commitment of the programme for Government - I think it is also included in the strategy in the Taoiseach's Department for tackling child poverty and supporting well-being, which the Taoiseach spoke about earlier - is to implement a single point of access for children referred to primary care, disability or mental health services. We are all familiar with the frustration of parents who are referred for a particular service and, when they visit that service, are advised that it is not the appropriate service for their child.”
“We need to look at this area in terms of disadvantaged communities, and enhancing and further providing facilities for the children of those communities.”
“Among the priorities of the child poverty and well-being programme in the Taoiseach's Department is to enhance participation in culture, arts and sport for children and young people affected by poverty. In many of our disadvantaged communities, there is an absence of active and passive recreational spaces where children can congregate, come together, enjoy each other's company and generate some positivity from each other. Last year, the Government provided €500,000 spread across all local authorities, a maximum of €20,000 per local authority. We need to increase that funding. Yesterday, I was in the Headford Road part of Galway city. It is an area of significant population with one of the biggest DEIS schools in the city. It has no playground and very little by way of play spaces or active recreational spaces.”
“That is an objective for the programme for Government. We need to do it. We need to look at where in the country we are limited in terms of sporting facilities, particularly in urban areas, and see where we can access land because there is not a wide availability of land in those urban areas. We all know that it is difficult for a voluntary club to try to get the necessary finances to purchase land. We need to look at more municipal facilities. We need to look at the local authorities and we need to encourage local authorities to provide more facilities in the areas where there is high demand. The performance of the national teams has led to an increased interest in the game and that can only be good for our communities.”
“A lot of the playing facilities that the local authority has must be closed on regular occasions during the winter. That limits the opportunity for games and for children and adults to play. We need to work closer with local authorities. In my local authority there is a soccer club, Knocknacarra FC. It uses the local authority facility. The facility was upgraded around eight or nine years ago. It was a fantastic new facility. It was an all-weather facility and floodlit. There was a significant investment. However, the club is paying for that investment. It was supported by the Department but the club is paying in the region of €40,000 a year to the local authority to use that facility. For the type of relationship that should exist between a club and a local authority, that amount is excessive.”
“It does not recognise boundaries. Everyone is familiar with the rules. Maybe we should look at soccer as a vehicle for the enhancement and further integration of different nationalities of people who come to make Ireland their home. There is a great opportunity for us to do that in soccer. In the programme for Government we have committed ourselves to an audit of all urban areas in the country to see the availability of playing space for all sports in those urban areas. It is crucial we do that as soon as possible. One of the communications I receive most frequently from soccer clubs is a lack of playing facilities. That is particularly the case in the west where it rains much more significantly that in the east of the country. It is a winter sport.”
“It relies on the junior clubs like Salthill Devon FC, Mervue United AFC and others throughout the city to provide it with training facilities. That is a great concern in terms of the future of the club and how it continues to operate. Similarly, it does not own Terryland Park, even though there might be a change in that. It has a long-term lease and use of the facility. We might need to look at how we support League of Ireland clubs in provincial towns more. I say that in the full knowledge that in the latest budget the Minister of State secured significant investment in League of Ireland academies, which was welcomed by all the clubs. We possibly have not utilised soccer to the full degree as a mechanism or tool for inclusion and integration of new people who have come to the country. It is a universal game. It is played internationally.”
“That was a Connacht derby so it was a very well received result in Galway. One of the issues I am concerned about in terms of the League of Ireland is that there does seem to be a significant gap between the resources available to clubs in Dublin compared to provincial clubs. Most of the provincial clubs are in the lower division - the first division - be they Treaty United in Limerick, Cork City, etc. Cork is a big city. There are a certain number of clubs that go between both leagues but it seems to be dominated by the Dublin clubs and that might be because they have greater resources. Unfortunately, Galway United does not have its own training facilities and it has been a League of Ireland club since the late 1970s.”
“Tonight, when we are talking about the game we should think of all those volunteers who put their time into the coaching and administration of clubs and who keep the show on the road. It is fantastic to see the revival of our national team. That has been noted by many Members. Both national ladies teams and our gents teams are doing well. That has had an impact on attendances at League of Ireland games. I have gone to a number of Galway United games recently and attendances are high. The club is making great efforts to try to generate further interest. It recently had a night where they invited all the juvenile soccer clubs in the community to attend a game and it was very well attended. Unfortunately, Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, is gone. One of the games I recently attended, Galway United beat Sligo Rovers 1-0.”
“Ar an ábhar sin, ba mhaith liom tús a chur le mo chuid focail le buíochas a ghabhadh leis na daoine atá ag obair go deonach sna clubanna ar fad sa tír agus atá ag déanamh an-obair le daoine óga agus ag cur spraoi ar fáil do na daoine. Is dóigh go bhfuil siad ag obair chomh maith ar son ár gcóras sláinte toisc go bhfuil siad ag tabhairt aire do na páistí agus ag tabhairt deis dóibh a bheith aclaí ina bpobail féin. I commend all those who volunteer in our clubs throughout the country in whatever sport. Tonight we are talking about soccer. My first sport of preference is GAA - Gaelic football and hurling- but I am a big soccer follower as well. If I am not wrong, it is the game that is most played across the country throughout communities.”
“It is ready to go, it has full planning and there is no judicial review. I ask for a commitment from the Government to make sure this project proceeds.”
“Yesterday, the National Transport Authority, NTA, provided an opportunity for Members to raise issues with it regarding public transport in our constituencies. When I asked about expanding and developing further bus services in Galway, particularly the 424, the NTA advised me that the budget for 2026 has not yet been defined so it could not provide me with an answer. Of greater concern was the fact that, when I asked it about the development of the new Dublin Road bus corridor in Galway city, which has been in the Galway transport strategy since 2006 and includes 4 km of priority bus measures, it advised me it could not give a commitment yet because its capital budget is unknown. We know about Galway's transport problems. The Dublin Road bus corridor is a crucial infrastructural project to ease Galway's traffic and transport problems.”
“There is no argument being put forward by anybody that it should be made freely available to those over the age of 50 but the argument has been strongly made that it would have considerable benefits, including long-term benefits for people over the age of 65. I recognise fully the limits on the State coffers and on the Department in terms of expenditure in this area but I feel the appropriateness and the benefits would outweigh that.”
“While I understand everything the Minister of State said, I am not sure it is fully captured in the standard cost-effectiveness modelling. The Minister of State provided one piece of information that differs from the information I have been provided with. In her response she said that: "The HTA found that including the shingles vaccine in the routine immunisation schedule, at the vaccine price at the time, for all adults aged 65 years and over would not be cost-effective" but the information I received is that the assessment was done for all adults aged 50 and over, and that is what was found not to be cost-effective. Clearly, it would be more cost-effective if it was done for the lower number of people who are over the age of 65.”
“I understand the vaccine is available, as the Minister of State outlined. I also understand that when the process of assessing whether it would be provided through the immunisation programme was undertaken, there was a period of public consultation and a substantial number of submissions were made in the public consultation that highlighted that the cost of the vaccine - at that time between €480 and €500 - would be prohibitive for many older people, especially those on fixed incomes and those who rely in particular on the State's old age pension as their only income. The public consultation also highlighted the potential long-term chronic impact of contracting the shingles virus. The impact it would have on quality of life is significant.”
“I met recently with a group from the active retirement association in Galway, which put forward a very good argument for a targeted, age-focused vaccination programme for adults aged 65 and over, as advised by the national immunisation advisory committee. We owe it to the people of the country to formally assess the provision of the vaccine to those over the age of 65. I ask that the Minister would give it every consideration.”
“One of the queries I have is that when the national immunisation advisory committee recommended the vaccine for those aged 65, why did HIQA conduct an assessment on providing it for all adults over the age of 50? It seems that the threat of contracting shingles and the impact of it increases significantly for those aged over 65. The assessment did not specifically model a targeted programme for those aged over 65, despite the recommendation of the national immunisation advisory committee. Many countries, including our neighbours in the UK, and other European countries such as Germany, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands already provide the shingles vaccination free of charge to older adults, so there is a trend across Europe of this being provided but Ireland is yet to introduce such a scheme.”
“In Ireland, unfortunately, access to the shingles vaccination currently depends largely on ability to pay, with the vaccine costing up to €500 per person, which places it out of the reach of many older people living on the State pension and creates inexorable health outcomes based on income. In February 2024, the national immunisation advisory committee recommended the recombinant herpes zoster vaccine for all adults aged 65 and over but following this the Health Information and Quality Authority conducted a health technology assessment, which was published in 2024. It concluded that the vaccination of all adults aged over 50 was not cost-effective.”
“Should the rash affect one's face, it can cause serious vision problems, including potential risk of permanent vision loss. It can cause chronic pain. Some 30% of patients described feeling the pain some years after initially contracting the illness. In some cases it can lead to a syndrome known as post-herpetic neuralgia, PHN, where nerve pain continues for months or even years after the shingles rash is healed. One can imagine such an illness could have a very lasting impact on mobility, independence and quality of life. A range of international studies have shown that the shingles vaccine may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. It can also slow the progression of dementia.”
“Gabhaim buíochas le hOifig an Cheann Comhairle as ucht an ábhar seo a roghnú ar maidin. Mar a dúirt an Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, I wish to ask the Minister to discuss the availability of the shingles vaccine for those aged over 65 or those with compromised immune systems. Shingles affects approximately one in three people during their lifetime, with the risk of contraction increasing significantly with age. I think also the risk of impact increases significantly with age. The condition can cause severe and prolonged pain. I discussed the matter with my colleague, Deputy Martin Daly, who was in a position to advise me of some of the impacts of the shingles virus when contracted. It causes a very significant rash and the pain can be extremely debilitating.”
“Ceann de na fadhbanna atá ann ná nach bhfuil na coinníollacha oibre chomh maith ag na hoifigigh pleanála teanga seo is atá ag duine éigin atá ag obair sa Státseirbhís. Ba cheart dúinn breathnú air sin. Ní fheicim cén fáth, agus muid ag tabhairt airgid do na coistí deonacha chun na hoifigigh pleanála teanga a íoc, nach féidir le heagraíochtaí Stáit ar nós Údarás na Gaeltachta nó Foras na Gaeilge iad a fhostú go buan. Tá orm a bheith go hiomlán ionraic faoi rud amháin. Tá sách imní orm do thodhchaí na Gaeltachta. Tá sé feicthe againn go bhfuil laghdú tagtha ar líon na ndaoine le Gaeilge - an chéad ghlúin i stair an Stáit - atá ag maireachtáil sa Ghaeltacht agus is ábhar imní é sin. Níor mhaith liom smaoineamh go dtiocfadh an lá go mbeadh muid ag caint ar cheantair Ghaeltachta nach Gaeltacht iad.”
“Chonaic muid i mBaile Átha Cliath anuraidh go raibh conspóid ann nuair a shocraigh meánscoil aistriú ó mhúineadh trí Bhéarla go múineadh trí Ghaeilge. Ba chóir go mbeadh an Roinn oideachais in ann cabhrú leo struchtúr a leagan amach cén chaoi gur féidir modh múinteoireachta a athrú ón mBéarla go dtí an Ghaeilge. Tá neart infheistíochta déanta ag an Stát i gcúrsaí pleanála teanga. Is ról tábhachtach é an t-oifigeach pleanála teanga don phobal ach is ról deacair é chomh maith. Feicim i mo cheantar féin go mbíonn athrú go rialta ar an duine atá sa ról. Ní raibh ach dhá oifigeach pleanála teanga sa ról ó thosaigh sé thart ar cúig nó sé bliana ó shin. Ba bhreá liom go mbeadh na hoifigigh sin fostaithe go lánaimseartha ag Údarás na Gaeltachta, Foras na Gaeilge nó b’fhéidir na húdaráis áitiúla.”
“Dar leis an daonáireamh reatha, tá 67% de dhaoine óga, idir 16 agus 19, in ann Gaeilge a labhairt. Mar sin, tá an Ghaeilge ann. Is é an dúshlán atá romhainn ná daoine a spreagadh chun í a labhairt. Is mór an tionchar a bhí ag an ardú mór ar líon na nGaelscoileanna le blianta anuas ar an staitistic sin. Ní raibh sé mar sin nuair a bhí an cuid is mó dínn sa Dáil níos óige. Ní raibh an deis céanna againn freastal ar Ghaelscoil is atá ag daoine óga anois. Ní féidir agus ní ceart linn stopadh leis sin. Ba cheart dúinn líon na nGaelscoileanna sa tír a ardú. Ba cheart don Roinn oideachais struchtúr a leagan amach do scoileanna a bhíonn ag múineadh faoi láthair trí mheán an Bhéarla faoin chaoi ar féidir leo athrú go múineadh na Gaeilge.”
“Tuigeann an chuid is mó de dhaoine sa Stát Gaeilge nuair a chloiseann siad í. B’fhéidir nach bhfuil siad in ann í a labhairt, ach tá a fhios acu céard atá daoine á rá nuair a chloiseann siad Gaeilge. Is bac é ar gá dúinn dul i ngleic leis. Tá orainn troid in aghaidh an bhaic seo atá ar dhaoine a gcuid Gaeilge a úsáid. Mar atá molta ag mo chomhghleacaí, an Teachta Dolan, molaim do dhaoine leas a bhaint as an gcoicís seo chun a gcuid Gaeilge a úsáid. Is maith an rud é go bhfuil muid á dhéanamh seo sa Seomra seo inniu. Chomh maith leis an staitistic sin, tháinig mé ar cheann eile sa daonáireamh reatha atá thar a bheith tábhachtach, is é sin go bhfuil meon dearfach ar leith ag daoine óga ar an nGaeilge. Is iontach an rud í an tóir atá ar an nGaeilge na laethanta seo. Ní raibh sé mar sin nuair a bhí mé níos óige.”
“Cuirim fáilte roimh an díospóireacht agus deis seo chun ábhar na Gaeilge a phlé sa Seomra inniu. Tá téama sa díospóireacht go dtí seo – luaigh mo chomhghleacaí, an Teachta Dolan, é, arb as Gaillimh dó chomh maith – go bhfuil muid ag iarraidh daoine a spreagadh chun a gcuid Gaeilge a úsáid. Is rud thar a bheith tábhachtach é sin. Mar a dúirt an tAire níos luaithe, tá Gaeilge ag chuile dhuine. Tá Gaeilge mhaith ag formhór an daonra. Léigh mé an nuacht a bhí in An Scéal inniu. Tagann eagrán amach chuile Mháirt. Rinneadh suirbhé ó Ghaelchultúr agus Údarás na Gaeltachta agus fuarthas amach go bhfuil leibhéal éigin líofachta sa Ghaeilge ag 49% de dhaoine fásta sa Stát, idir labhairt, léamh agus tuiscint. Is í mo thuairim féin go bhfuil, ar a laghad, Gaeilge ag an méid sin daoine sa Stát, go háirithe ó thaobh na tuisceana de.”
“We need to make good on that because it will facilitate greater inclusion in our schools. There has been a lot of comment Circular 0030/2014. I referred to this in the Chamber previously. We received a lot of correspondence from schools last September and October about this. I do not know if it is a circular. It is the NCSE guidelines for the review of SNA allocation. One thing that concerns me is NCSE reviews are conducted on a whole-school basis, combining a review of all SNA posts in a school. That rightly causes concern.”
“If you talk to any junior infant teacher in particular, they will tell you the profile of children enrolling now is very different from what it was a decade ago. As we have heard from lots of Members, the SNA circular that defines the role must be changed to recognise that increasingly diverse range of children enrolling in our schools and who we want to see attend local mainstream national schools. We have seen that through the demand for other complementary services, such as speech and language therapy and CAMHS services, and in the demand for NEPS assessments. That changing demand has to be recognised by increasing the number of teachers and SNAs. We cannot forget that we made a commitment to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio to 19:1 over the lifetime of this Government.”
“It is regrettable that the debate has come about in this manner. We have all expressed an opinion as to how valuable SNAs are to children and the school system. That has been worthy of recognition before today. I had the privilege in my career of working with many SNAs. I have seen children thrive through their intervention. If I go back to the start of my teaching career, I think there were around 1,000 SNAs in the system at that point, which was in the early part of the century. We have since seen a 2,000% increase in the number of SNAs. That is because we all want to see our schools be more inclusive and we all have a desire to see children attend the local national school and participate fully in the life of the school there. In recognising that, we have to recognise there has also been a dramatic change in the needs of children.”