Results 11,641-11,660 of 11,795 for speaker:Niall Collins

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Oct 2024)

Niall Collins: It is a job of work for our various ETBs, SOLAS, technological universities and colleges of further education and training to constantly identify skills deficits and gaps in the labour market. The Deputy referred to the construction sector. Right across the country, we have our education and training service providers. Training covers modern methods of construction and green skills...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Further and Higher Education (8 Oct 2024)

Niall Collins: The Deputy will be aware that Galway and Roscommon ETB is being supported by SOLAS in developing its preliminary business case proposal under the FET college of the future major projects fund. The development of a robust preliminary business case is fundamental to the requirements of the infrastructure guidelines. The proposal put forward by Galway and Roscommon ETB is one of 12 projects...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Further and Higher Education (8 Oct 2024)

Niall Collins: I will ask the Department to revert to the Deputy with the breakdown she has asked for. On the engagement that has taken place with ETBs to support them in developing their preliminary business cases, SOLAS and the Department met representatives of all 12 ETBs over a two-week period in April and May of this year to further discuss their proposals in the context of affordability, value for...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Further and Higher Education (8 Oct 2024)

Niall Collins: The ETBs were given until 2 September to submit their refined business plans.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Further and Higher Education (8 Oct 2024)

Niall Collins: According to my information, a total of seven ETBs submitted their refined business plans by 2 September 2024. Submissions were received from Cork ETB, Cavan and Monaghan ETB, Kilkenny and Carlow ETB, Kildare and Wicklow ETB-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Further and Higher Education (8 Oct 2024)

Niall Collins: No. Its submission was not in on time. The five ETBs that did not submit business cases for evaluation are expected to do so by the next full sitting of the evaluation panel, in January 2025, and they will be considered.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Further and Higher Education (8 Oct 2024)

Niall Collins: Yes.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Further and Higher Education (8 Oct 2024)

Niall Collins: No.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Further and Higher Education (8 Oct 2024)

Niall Collins: Deputy Connolly asked what the next steps are when the business case is submitted. Following the evaluation process, the ETBs which have met the required standard will move to the next stage of development and progress to the pre-tender, project design, planning and procurement strategy phase. For projects that do not meet the required standard, our Department will write to SOLAS to confirm...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Further and Higher Education (8 Oct 2024)

Niall Collins: Yes.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Oct 2024)

Niall Collins: Our Department continues to oversee the implementation of the plan put in place by the National Apprenticeship Office in November 2023 to significantly increase apprenticeship capacity, responding to rising craft apprenticeship demand as a result of our buoyant economy. In budget 2024, €67 million was allocated to apprenticeship, on top of which our Department reprioritised a further...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Oct 2024)

Niall Collins: The normal waiting times for off-the-job training in the education and training boards range from three to six months. Any apprentices waiting longer than six months for phase 2 training are part of the phase 2 backlog and considered to be waiting overlong for training. In July 2023, 6,166 apprentices were waiting six months or longer. In August 2024, that figure had dropped to 2,484. We...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Oct 2024)

Niall Collins: I will ask officials in the Department to furnish the Deputy with the information he requires. I do not have the details on a national level or at micro level regarding Cork. I will ask those to be furnished to the Deputy as well.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Funding (8 Oct 2024)

Niall Collins: The DARE scheme is operated by the Irish Universities Association, IUA, on behalf of the higher education institutions which set the policy criteria for the scheme. Applications to the scheme are submitted to the Central Applications Office which co-ordinates the scheme for participating institutions. All matters pertaining to admissions to higher education are a function of the higher...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Refurbishment (8 Oct 2024)

Niall Collins: 188. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be provided to replace a roof in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39941/24]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (8 Oct 2024)

Niall Collins: 258. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to outline policy and define clear planning guidelines with regard to future planning applications that may be submitted on national routes. [40245/24]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Correspondence (8 Oct 2024)

Niall Collins: 292. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she can address the issue raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39818/24]

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

Niall Collins: My Department advised the Education and Training Boards last April on the formal arrangements for the establishment of the new grade of Adult Educator. Subsequently, each Education and Training Board has been consulting with their Adult Education Tutors to determine whether they wish to convert to the new grade or remain on their current terms and conditions. The implementation process is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Policies (9 Oct 2024)

Niall Collins: Investment of €20 million for a skills package in 2025 reflects the actions following the recent Competitiveness Summit and Government’s agreement to set out a pathway to sustainably use the National Training Fund to increase investment in employment focused skills and training assisting and enhancing competitiveness and productivity of businesses. As part of Budget 2025, I am...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (17 Oct 2024)

Niall Collins: 261. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to review correspondence (details supplied); the options available to this person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42246/24]