Results 11,441-11,460 of 11,795 for speaker:Niall Collins

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Correspondence (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: 485. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21626/24]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: 520. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to improve rates of pay for childcare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21490/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I am aware that Ballyfermot College of Further Education (BCFE) offers a BA Honours Degree in Visual Media awarded by the University of Dundee. It is a full-time 2-year top-up degree course with options to specialise in animation and game design. There are 37 students enrolled on the 2-year degree programme in 2023/23. There are a further 27 students currently enrolled in BCFE on a 1-year...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: My Department has only recently become aware of this article published in the Irish Journal of Education in April 2024. My officials are reviewing the article, which I understand explores the unique characteristics of the programme to identify variables influencing staff retention. This article follows the Youthreach Employee Wellbeing Report 2022: A review of employees experience of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: The ESRI’s Evaluation of the National Youthreach Programmes in 2019 found that over three quarters of Youthreach and Community Training Centres offered QQI level 3 and 4 qualifications with a fifth offering the LCA Programme. Most centres structure learning so that young people take QQI Level 3 qualifications in year one and progress to QQI Level 4 qualifications in year two. Level 4...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 May 2024)

Niall Collins: Regarding amendments Nos. 85a and 90a, in accordance with Article 29.6 of the Constitution, it is a matter for the Oireachtas to determine the effects of any international agreement in the State. It would not be appropriate to delegate a power to the agency to make secondary legislation purporting to give effect to the decisions of the International Court of Justice or of the European Court...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I restate that the standard for funding awards will be the highest standard of research ethics and integrity and that all of the relevant legal frameworks will apply. Ireland has favoured retaining the civilian focus of the framework programmes and maintaining a clear separation between civilian and defence research. As part of our Department's consultation on the next framework programme,...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 May 2024)

Niall Collins: For amendment No. 94, this provision is already tied into and limited by the functions of the agency. Therefore, there is no need to restate this as proposed. This is already how the section of the Bill will operate and, therefore, we do not propose to accept the amendment.

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 May 2024)

Niall Collins: In conclusion, the functions define the role and remit of the agency within which it needs to operate and deliver on.

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 May 2024)

Niall Collins: Section 51 contains a clause which gives the Minister powers to prescribe bodies to be added to the list contained therein. That will provide a complete description of all agencies and bodies that the agency will be charged with co-operating with as part of a cohesive overall national research and innovation ecosystem. Work is under way to scope and map the additions. When this work is...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I have nothing further to add.

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 May 2024)

Niall Collins: Government amendment No. 104: In page 51, between lines 23 and 24, to insert the following: “Confirmation of acts done or purporting to have been done 71.(1) All acts done, or purporting to have been done, by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in performing the functions of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment under sections...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 May 2024)

Niall Collins: This is a minor technical amendment which, the Department has been advised, it would be prudent to make in order to ensure clarity and the continuity of the statute in advance of the enactment of the Research and Innovation Bill. There was a technical oversight within the transfer order of 2020. The operation of one of the amendments to the existing statute preceding the 2020 order was...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank Senators for their engagement. The matters raised will be noted and I will flag them to the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Disadvantage (15 May 2024)

Niall Collins: The Reach Fund supports educationally disadvantaged learners to access and participate in community education. It is administered at a local level through the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) who advertise the Fund inviting Community education providers to apply for funding for eligible projects. SOLAS issues annual guidelines for the operation of the Fund and approves an allocation...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Sector Pay (16 May 2024)

Niall Collins: My officials are continuing to engage with colleagues in the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform regarding the application of this pay award to workers in section 39 bodies who are delivering training funded by the Education and Training Boards.

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (21 May 2024)

Niall Collins: The definition in the Bill as drafted is aligned with EU policy and Irish national policy and strategy. The Bill does not exist in isolation but within an existing statutory framework with regard to climate action. There is already a legal obligation on public bodies to comply with Ireland's climate law.Section 15 (1) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act of 2021...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (21 May 2024)

Niall Collins: The new agency will play a critical role in driving change and finding innovative solutions to enable us to thrive, integrating climate action and sustainability into all of its functions. The new agency will be following on from the excellent ongoing work of both agencies in that regard, with a mandate to foster co-operation across the research and innovation ecosystem, to protect and...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (21 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I would like to address amendment No. 2, which relates to the interpretation section of the Bill., amendments Nos. 10 and 11, which address the objects of the agency, and amendments Nos. 16 and 17, which relate to section 35 of the Bill on schemes for funding of research and innovation. As for amendment No. 2, submitted by Senators Clonan and Craughwell, parity of esteem is not just...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (21 May 2024)

Niall Collins: Regarding amendments Nos. 6 and 13, as outlined repeatedly during the Committee Stage debate, the agency has no remit regarding researcher careers. This Bill is not the appropriate place for this and we are therefore not proposing to accept these amendments. The Government is committed to implementing Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy. A dedicated talent pilar...