Results 1,241-1,260 of 11,834 for speaker:Niall Collins

European Year of Skills: Statements (10 May 2023)

Niall Collins: I thank the Minister, Deputy Harris, for his opening remarks and all the Deputies who spoke here today. As the Minister mentioned in his opening statement, this is an inflection point for skills in Ireland. The only constant is change. We can no longer treat knowledge as a fixed asset acquired during a certain phase of life nor expect that three or four years of study at tertiary level...

European Year of Skills: Statements (10 May 2023)

Niall Collins: Some are more equal than others.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (10 May 2023)

Niall Collins: I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming our guests. I thank the Senator for raising such an important issue. A priority for the Government is to ensure that all children have an appropriate school placement and that the necessary supports are provided to our schools to cater for the needs of children with special educational needs. It is important to remember that the vast majority of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (10 May 2023)

Niall Collins: I thank the Senator for raising what is a very important issue for the Tramore school planning area, not only for the students but also for the parents and the wider community. I reiterate that the Government is absolutely committed to supporting children with special educational needs. The fact that 27% of the entire budget of the Department of Education is allocated to it is a very strong...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Reviews (10 May 2023)

Niall Collins: I thank the Senator for raising the issue. As he noted, I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Health. I am grateful for the opportunity to address the House on the review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. As the Senator is aware, the Minister for Health commenced the review of the operation of the Act in line with statutory and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Reviews (10 May 2023)

Niall Collins: As the Senator is aware, the Minister for Health commenced the review of the operation of the 2018 Act in line with statutory and Government commitments. The review was led by the independent chair and based on comprehensive independent research. The Minister received the final report of the review at the end of February and it was considered by the Government on 25 April. In line with the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Cybersecurity Policy (10 May 2023)

Niall Collins: I thank the Senator for raising this matter, and I welcome the opportunity to outline the current position. He is referring to the criminal ransomware attack on the HSE in May 2021. The cost of the response and recovery from the cyberattack was €50,909,769. In 2022, the cost incurred was €38,796,638. This is a total cost for those two years of €89,706,407. It must be...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Cybersecurity Policy (10 May 2023)

Niall Collins: The HSE has introduced important changes to the governance of cybersecurity across the organisation based on the recommendations of the post-incident report. An interim chief technology and transformation officer and chief information security officer were appointed in 2022. Competition to fill these roles on a permanent basis is under way. Members of the HSE executive management team...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Electric Vehicles (10 May 2023)

Niall Collins: Like all climate change issues, this area is complex, but the Government believes it is making the right moves in creating an environment where EVs become not just an option but the preferred option for those who need to use a personal vehicle. All indications suggest we are approaching a point where the technology and the market for EVs matures and begins to match, then exceed, internal...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Electric Vehicles (10 May 2023)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan. The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. Our climate action target of almost one million electric vehicles on the road by 2030 is a challenging one which...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (10 May 2023)

Niall Collins: 48. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated number of Ukrainian persons living in Ireland that hold a licence to drive a truck or bus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22002/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Legal Cases (10 May 2023)

Niall Collins: My Officials are engaging with Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board regarding this matter and a reply will issue to the Deputy once these enquiries are complete.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (10 May 2023)

Niall Collins: The National Training Fund is a dedicated fund established under the National Training Fund Act, 2000 resourced by the Training Levy paid by employers to raise the skills of those in employment; provide training to those who wish to acquire skills to take up employment and provide information in relation to skills requirements in the economy. My Department allocates funding from the...

Seanad: Ireland's Application for Membership of CERN: Statements (9 May 2023)

Niall Collins: I thank the Chair and am delighted to be in the House to discuss this issue. CERN is the leading global collaboration investigating the fundamental composition of matter. For nearly 70 years, this Intergovernmental organisation composed of 23 member states, including most of the EU member states, and ten associate member states has been at the cutting edge of research. The Minister for...

Seanad: Ireland's Application for Membership of CERN: Statements (9 May 2023)

Niall Collins: I too acknowledge our guests in the Visitors Gallery and welcome them to the Leinster House complex and the Seanad Chamber. I also acknowledge, as the Chair said, those who are viewing online, particularly people from the international research community who are looking in at the discussion we are having. I thank Senator Doherty for her remarks, as well as Senator Malcolm Byrne, who has...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Funding (9 May 2023)

Niall Collins: 140. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department can engage with a service provider (details supplied); if grants or assistance are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21244/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (9 May 2023)

Niall Collins: My officials contacted the City of Dublin Education and Training Board regarding this matter. I understand that under CDETB's internal transfer policy a transfer will not be approved if the consequential vacancy cannot be backfilled leading to the potential cancellation of a course. In the case in question, CDETB has advised that the subject department concerned had other staffing...

Construction Safety Licensing Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2023)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputies who spoke during the debate yesterday and today for their contributions and their broad support for the Bill. I will comment on some of the issues related to the Bill. As I said yesterday, the Construction Safety Licensing Bill will bring important reforms to the safety and health training of our construction workers. The Bill will reform how workers in the...

Construction Safety Licensing Bill 2023: Referral to Select Committee (4 May 2023)

Niall Collins: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)(a) and 181(1).

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (4 May 2023)

Niall Collins: I understand that Ramsgate Men’s Shed has applied to Waterford and Wexford Educational and Training Board (WWETB) for funding under the 2023 REACH Fund which places a strong focus on community education as a mechanism to continue to support and engage with disadvantaged learners. In addition, there is a focus on enabling the investment in building the digital infrastructure of...