Results 21-40 of 11,899 for speaker:Niall Collins

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Third Level Fees (17 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: I thank Senator Harmon for raising this important issue and for the opportunity it provides to discuss the Government’s ongoing work to make further and higher education more accessible and more affordable. The Minister, Deputy Lawless, is today at an informal meeting of EU researchers in Copenhagen so unfortunately he cannot be here to discuss this topic himself. The Government...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Third Level Fees (17 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: I have been following and engaging in this debate for the last number of weeks, I think it is fair to say that this is just pure populism politics being playing by a lot of people in government and across the Opposition and I have no hesitation in saying that. When was there ever a budget announcement in July? The budget will be at the end of September or in October, the same as it has been...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services (17 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: The Minister would like to thank Senator Stephenson for raising this important issue and for offering her the opportunity to respond. Respite is a key priority area for the Department and the HSE and we have seen significant investment in respite services. Respite services can play a crucial role in delaying and-or preventing moves into full-time residential placements, preserving the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services (17 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: The data the Senator wants to see flow from the audit is something we can alert the HSE on. There has been steady growth in respite since 2022 with 2024 seeing a significant increase in activity with nearly 10,000 additional overnight sessions and 20,000 day sessions delivered. This coincides with an increase in funding year-on-year. Great work is being done to identify the best use of our...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: International Students (17 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: I thank the Senator. Ireland has consistently condemned the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza and continues to urge all parties to do everything possible to support efforts under way to reach agreement on a new ceasefire and hostage release deal. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including Irish embassies and consulates worldwide, provides consular assistance to Irish...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: International Students (17 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has assisted 153 individuals in exiting Gaza. Where officials in the Department have received requests for assistance, they have reviewed each case within the context of the Department's consular assistance charter, which guides its overall consular assistance policy on the ongoing situation in Gaza and provides clear advice and guidance to these...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Correspondence (15 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: 281. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a scheme can be extended (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38929/25]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (15 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: 598. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on the actions he has taken, and proposes to take, regarding the defective concrete block scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39489/25]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Peace Commissioners (15 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: Peace Commissioners are appointed by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, in accordance with section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act 1924, and the appointment of a Peace Commissioner is entirely at the discretion of the Minister. The fact that an applicant or nominee may be suitable for appointment does not in itself provide any entitlement to appointment as a Peace...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: As of 31 May 2025, the latest dates for which figures are available, there are five Juvenile Liaison Officers in Clare/Tipperary Division, each at the rank of Garda.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Consultations (15 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: Reform of the firearms licensing system has been under consideration for a number of years. I can confirm that the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration holds meetings with individual firearms organisations and engages with various firearms stakeholders to discuss these reforms. Earlier this year, the Department organised a series of engagements with firearms stakeholders and...

Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation (Transfer of Functions) Bill 2024: Second Stage [Private Members] (10 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: I thank all of the Deputies for their contributions today, the points they have raised and Deputy Smith for bringing this important topic to the House. As set out in my earlier remarks, the Government fully recognises the importance of having an open and transparent noise regulation system. The development of Dublin Airport in a sustainable manner that considers the impact on local...

Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation (Transfer of Functions) Bill 2024: Second Stage [Private Members] (10 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to speak to the House about the important issue of aircraft noise and the aviation sector more generally. I am confident we can all agree, even though it is so often stated, that, as an island nation, aviation plays a crucial role in our economy and society. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the Government’s position on Second Stage of this...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Costs (10 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy McEntee, recently announced €35 million in funding to support digital learning in schools. A total of €35 million in grant funding for information and communications technology has issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools. Through the ICT grant and the minor works grant...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Costs (10 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: The Government recognises that back-to-school costs each September can place real financial pressure on families. The Department of Education and Youth is keenly aware of the challenges faced by educators and parents in regard to these costs. To help address this, schools are expected to follow guidance from the Department, which includes using school uniform items that are generic and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (10 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: To recap, the project brief was for a large-scale capital project, namely the construction of a 16-classroom primary school consisting of a four-storey, 13-classroom block with ancillary rooms facing Dominick Street, a five-storey block with administration, services, library and resource rooms on the corner of Dominick Place and Dominick Street, an elevated first floor bridge block containing...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Media Sector (10 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: As I set out, the national counter disinformation strategy explores the challenge of disinformation in Ireland, its harmful effects on society and its complexity as a policy issue. It is important to state that it is not the role of our Government or, indeed, any regulator to decide on individual instances of disinformation. As mentioned, one of the fundamental aims of the strategy is to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (10 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the Dáil the current position regarding the major building project for Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire in Parnell Square. The Minister and the Department of Education and Youth are fully committed to delivering a new school building for Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire as quickly as possible....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Thalidomide Victims Compensation (10 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: As previously referenced, in July 2024 an enhanced package for health and social care supports for thalidomide survivors was announced. That included prioritised and simplified access to local health and social care professionals, access to therapies, both clinical and holistic, independent living supports to include housing adaptations, car adaptations and home supports, annual health...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Media Sector (10 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: As we know, the problem of disinformation is not a new one. What is new is how easily mistruths can be produced, how sophisticated and convincing they are, and how it can be amplified and circulated at astonishing speed. According to the Digital News Report 2025 published just last month, 68% of people said that they are concerned about what is real and what is fake online. This is...