89. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider expanding AI literacy in schools, including the teaching of the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence in primary schools and curriculum-based AI literacy modules for students at junior cycle and senior cycle. [74868/26]
TDs / Ryan O'Meara
Ryan O'Meara
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1,016
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- constituency Tipperary North 29 November 2024 to now
- party Fianna Fáil 29 November 2024 to now
Will the Minister consider expanding AI literacy in schools, including the teaching of the safe, responsible and age-appropriate use of artificial intelligence in primary schools and curriculum-based AI literacy modules for students at junior cycle and senior cycle? We cannot ignore the number of students in this country now accessing AI every day of the week. How are we preparing them to use AI responsibly?
I will start by acknowledging the positives of AI and the huge benefits for students and young people in gaining access to information. My concern relates to a personal example. Twelve or 13 years ago, when I did my leaving certificate, I did history. Part of that was a 20% component for the research study report. I was taught by Amanda England in the CBS in Nenagh for five years. I loved the subject. It was probably…
I will touch on the research study report again because it is a good example. When I was researching that, I had to find the literature myself. I was lucky that I had two uncles. My uncle Seán had a book on the history of Kilruane and Cloughjordan parish, and my uncle Martin had the book Raids and Rallies by Ernie O'Malley. Both had important pieces of information on the Modreeny ambush that formed part of my researc…
I welcome the opportunity to raise an important issue causing genuine fear and anxiety across the rural communities I represent in north Tipperary and north-west Kilkenny. On Monday morning, I attended a meeting in Ballingarry, north Tipperary, where approximately 30 farmers met me to discuss trespass on their land and property. What I mean by this are repeated incidents of people entering farmland without permission…
I thank the Minister of State for his response. To be very straight, the dogs on the street know what these groups are doing when they go onto farmers' land with their lurchers, with their lamps and, in some cases, with their thermal scoping. They should not be on the land to begin with. They are not welcome there. They are repeatedly told that. They do not heed the farmers and indeed it appears the local gardaí when…
45. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on children and education will meet next. [64281/26]
Gaeilge is a fundamental part of our national identity, heritage and culture, and I think we all want to see it thrive. However, we need to have an honest conversation in this House and this country about how we teach Gaeilge in our schools and whether we are taking the best approach, because I do not believe we are. How is it possible that after 13 or 14 years of education in Gaeilge, a young person can leave second…
6. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will report on discussions regarding the EU budget at the last meeting of the General Affairs Council. [69091/26]
I ask the Minister of State for an update on negotiations around the EU's multi-annual financial framework, MFF, with particular regard to Ireland's priorities for these negotiations. The EU budget has to reflect the realities facing Europe today, including competitiveness, energy security, defence and, importantly, food security. For Ireland, one of the most important elements of that budget is the future of the Com…
I thank the Minister of State. I will focus specifically on the Common Agricultural Policy and rural Ireland. The CAP is not simply a payment for farmers. It is an investment in the viability of family farms and the communities that depend on them. When a farm is viable it supports agricultural contractors, machinery businesses, vets, hauliers, merchants, local shops and services. The money circulates through the rur…
Following up on my last point, it brings up the broader argument of food security. With Ireland being one of the world's greatest food producing nations, we have a globally recognised reputation for quality, safety and traceability of the food we produce. Our agriculture and agrifood sectors are fundamental to the Irish economy and rural Ireland. Recent events have shown that we cannot take food security for granted.…
I met with a number of equestrian centres in north Tipperary this week. They raised serious concerns with me about the commercial rates financial burden they are facing. Equestrian centres require large areas for stables, indoor and outdoor arenas, yards and car parks but the size of those premises does not mean that all of those spaces gather commercial activity. The valuation of these premises can therefore create …
2. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Housing will next meet. [64294/26]
I raise the concerns and annoyance of the thousands of people whom I represent in Newport, Ballina and Birdhill and who faced a disastrous summer in the context of water quality, a lack of drinking water and boil water notices as a result of Uisce Éireann's ill-handling of communications and a lack of clarity from Uisce Éireann on exactly what was happening. We are talking about thousands of households, or customers,…
6. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline her plans to reduce the teacher-pupil ratio in primary schools to 19:1, as per the programme for Government commitment, and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54419/26]
What does the Government intend to do to meet the programme for Government commitment to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in our schools to 19:1?
I acknowledge the work that was done by the previous Government in reducing the pupil-teacher ratio. Good work was done and, to be fair, in the last budget, good work was done in respect of the capitation grants to schools and that needs to be recognised. It was a huge issue this time last year, particularly at the Oireachtas education committee. The pupil-teacher ratio is key and we have committed very clearly to 19…
The ask from this budget from the INTO is very important - 1,000 additional teachers - to help us reduce class sizes for every child to give him or her more attention, to support inclusive education, to meet growing pupil needs, to ease the workload pressure and potential burnout for teachers facing those very high numbers within the classroom and to bring stability to school and strengthen leadership. Coming from a …
15. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on this year’s climate action summer works scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54102/26]
Before I ask my final question before the summer recess, I thank the Minister and Minister of State for all of their engagement throughout the year, and I wish them both a very productive summer recess. With my better half being a Galway woman, I had also better wish the Minister the best of luck for Sunday. I hope the Minister of State next to her will soon forgive Galway for what its team did to his in the semi-fin…
I thank the Minister for that. On her final point, I will raise one school to begin with. Presentation Primary School in Thurles originally applied in 2016 for works to its car park and school yard in terms of tarring, relining, safer access and drop-off zones. Cars have to yield going in and out because there is only one space for one car, but it has the land to increase the width of the entrance and reline it. Ther…
The Minister mentioned labs, which is fantastic because that is my next point.
St. Mary's Secondary School in Nenagh has been approved for its science labs. The tender has been done and the proposed contractor is to be appointed.
The school sent its information to the Department on 10 June and followed up on 29 June. Essentially, the school will be somewhat of a building site certainly up until Christmas, but the s…
I want to read an excerpt from an email I got today in relation to Skyclarys for people with Friedreich's ataxia:
At 19 years old, I should be excited about my future. I should be looking forward to building a career, travelling, making memories with friends and planning the life I want to live. Instead, I wake up every day wondering what ability I will lose next. My future is overshadowed by fear, knowing that my c…
Many communities I represent in north Tipperary and north-west Kilkenny want to know when the Government is going to introduce updated guidelines for onshore windfarms. Last December in this Chamber I received a commitment that we would see regulations this year to update the 2006 regulations we are currently dealing with.
In April I received a response to a parliamentary question which stated that a review of the 2…