Results 11,401-11,420 of 11,795 for speaker:Niall Collins

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (30 Apr 2024)

Niall Collins: 640. To ask the Minister for Health for an update regarding current staffing levels of paediatric epilepsy services at University Hospital Limerick; the number of current vacancies which may exist within the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18803/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Data (30 Apr 2024)

Niall Collins: 735. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department or any agency of his Department has assessed any potential health impacts to people who reside near windfarms/wind turbines including the impacts of any noise and flicker coming from wind turbines; if the Department has or compiles any data in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19443/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cybersecurity Policy (1 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I propose to take Questions Nos. 327 and 328 together. Officials in my Department are making enquiries with SOLAS and Skillnet Ireland and a response will issue to the Deputy in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Health Services Staff (2 May 2024)

Niall Collins: 250. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current staff vacancies in relation to occupational therapy and speech and language therapy relating to west Limerick children's services; what is being planned to reduce the long wait times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20078/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (2 May 2024)

Niall Collins: Officials in my department are engaging with City of Dublin Education and Training Board in relation to this matter and will revert to the Deputy in due course.

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank the Senator. Amendments Nos. 57, 58, 59 and 60 deal with section 15 on the board of the agency. These are standard provisions based on existing legislation establishing agencies. For amendment No. 60, the phrase “or a Minister of the Government” refers to the Minister for Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform. This is a standard provision implementing...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: On directions of Ministers, the powers of the Minister under section 3, relating to regulations and orders, are standard, as evidenced in the Consumer Protection Act 2014 and the Freedom of Information Act 2014. Section 11 is also a standard provision, modelled on the provisions in existing legislation establishing agencies, including Tailte Éireann and the Domestic, Sexual and...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: In terms of amendment Nos. 70 and 71 which deal with section 23, the corporate plan of agency, the Senators wish to require consultation with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the joint committee in preparing the corporate plan. This would be highly unusual. Where there is a specific consultation requirement in previous legislation, it is as laid out as in the existing provision and it...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: We fully understand the Senators' intentions with these amendments but we argue the existing provisions contain the capacity for the kind of consultation and communication the agency will need in terms of planning. The proposed amendment would not be usual and the provision is already in the Bill for the CEO to communicate with committees as requested. We agree public funding is crucial....

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: Amendment No. 74 deals with section 28. The chief executive officer will be appointed for an ordinary term. This was proposed in the heads of the Bill and the appointment is in place. Appointments to public bodies are well understood and operate according to established principles, which I do not see merit in altering. We also need clarity of purpose and continuity of leadership in the...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: The section has been drafted as a standard provision and primarily relates to situations that may arise involving ongoing legal cases where the integrity of the case is paramount and to ensure respect for the separation of powers, as provided for under the Constitution. This does not interfere with any functions or powers of any aspect of the Oireachtas as the provision is already completely...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: The section gives detailed guidance on how to deal with these matters, should they arise, with the High Court being the ultimate arbiter. The use of the words "has been" covers matters that may be the subject of an appeal, for example.

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I have no more to say.

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: Amendment No. 78 relates to section 35 and making the information concerning funding schemes accessible. Again, the requirements for transparency and open competition already capture this. In terms of equality, diversity and inclusion considerations, this is captured in the objects of the agency under section 8(f), where it is required to "advance the principles of equality, diversity and...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: To comment again on the parity of esteem point, Senators will recall that the agency, under section 8, will be charged with supporting "the undertaking of research and innovation in all fields of activity and disciplines by researchers with different levels of knowledge, experience and specialist skills in such fields or disciplines". The Bill states "all fields" of research.

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: The agency will also be required "to promote and support the contribution made by research and innovation to economic, social, cultural and environmental development and sustainability in the State". Yes, this is about economic development but it is also about social, cultural and environmental progress. No one concept is elevated above another here. In fact, they all have parity.

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: Amendments Nos. 82, 86, 87 and 88 relate to section 37 regarding the assessment of applications and awards of funding for research and innovation and section 43 concerning non-compliance with conditions of funding for research and innovation. We cannot accept amendment No. 82 for the same reasons as stated regarding amendment No. 79. Funding award processes will be independent and adhere to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: 210. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on a matter (details supplied). [20563/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: Section 32 of the Further Education and Training Act 2013 requires SOLAS to submit its annual report to me no later than the following 31st May, while section 31 requires it to submit its draft financial statements no later than 1st March to the Comptroller and Auditor General. I can confirm that SOLAS submitted its draft 2023 financial statements to the Comptroller and Auditor General on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: The Operational Guidelines Working Group is a sub-group of the Directors of Further Education and Training (FET) Forum created under the auspices of Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI). It comprises nominees from the 16 ETBs, ETBI and SOLAS, a project consultant, and is chaired by an ETB FET Director. The Working Group is developing updated and revised draft guidelines for...