Results 10,581-10,600 of 11,795 for speaker:Niall Collins

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: 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...

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...

European Year of Skills: Statements (10 May 2023)

Niall Collins: Some are more equal than others.

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...

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...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (11 May 2023)

Niall Collins: 220. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans, if any, to address the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22232/23]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (11 May 2023)

Niall Collins: 232. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of people waiting for visa appointments in each Garda division, sub-analysed for each district within each division, as of 1 May 2023, in tabular form; the plans, if any, to address the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22209/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (11 May 2023)

Niall Collins: There are over 3,300 adult education tutors employed across the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs). There is no specific public sector grade of adult education tutor and tutors are paid on an hourly rate basis, generally at the unqualified teacher rate, however some ETBs, including Kerry ETB, pay relevant staff the self-financing tutor rate. Those staff on the unqualified teacher...

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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (17 May 2023)

Niall Collins: I am aware of the research report independently published by Maynooth University in January 2023, which found Youthreach employees reporting higher levels of positive emotions and relationships in work than those in school sector studies while also finding 25% reporting moderate levels of burnout. Youthreach is a further education and training programme for early school leavers...

Seanad: Academic Precarity: Motion (24 May 2023)

Niall Collins: I thank Senators Higgins, McDowell and Mullen for tabling this panel debate and providing me with an opportunity to discuss the commitment of the Government to address the complex and multifaceted issue of academic precarity. The Government does not intend to oppose this motion. As the speakers before me outlined in their insightful contributions, there can be no doubt that academic career...