Results 11,861-11,880 of 11,899 for speaker:Niall Collins

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (10 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: To recap, the project brief was for a large-scale capital project, namely the construction of a 16-classroom primary school consisting of a four-storey, 13-classroom block with ancillary rooms facing Dominick Street, a five-storey block with administration, services, library and resource rooms on the corner of Dominick Place and Dominick Street, an elevated first floor bridge block containing...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Costs (10 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy McEntee, recently announced €35 million in funding to support digital learning in schools. A total of €35 million in grant funding for information and communications technology has issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools. Through the ICT grant and the minor works grant...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Costs (10 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: The Government recognises that back-to-school costs each September can place real financial pressure on families. The Department of Education and Youth is keenly aware of the challenges faced by educators and parents in regard to these costs. To help address this, schools are expected to follow guidance from the Department, which includes using school uniform items that are generic and...

Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation (Transfer of Functions) Bill 2024: Second Stage [Private Members] (10 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to speak to the House about the important issue of aircraft noise and the aviation sector more generally. I am confident we can all agree, even though it is so often stated, that, as an island nation, aviation plays a crucial role in our economy and society. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the Government’s position on Second Stage of this...

Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation (Transfer of Functions) Bill 2024: Second Stage [Private Members] (10 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: I thank all of the Deputies for their contributions today, the points they have raised and Deputy Smith for bringing this important topic to the House. As set out in my earlier remarks, the Government fully recognises the importance of having an open and transparent noise regulation system. The development of Dublin Airport in a sustainable manner that considers the impact on local...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (9 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: I am advised by officials in Immigration Service Delivery of my Department that the person cited by the Deputy may apply to the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division for an extension of their immigration permission on student conditions. Further information on the application process is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arr...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Strategies (8 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: Community safety is a top priority for my Department and everyone has the right to be safe and feel safe in their communities. Rural Ireland is no exception. In 2019, the National Rural Safety Forum was established. The Forum comprises of a broad range of organisations, including my Department, An Garda Síochána, the IFA and stakeholders who share the common purpose of ensuring...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Peace Commissioners (10 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 277 together. Peace Commissioners are appointed by me, in my capacity as Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, in accordance with section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924. A person who wishes to be considered for appointment may make an application to my Department. I regret to advise the Deputy that the number of Peace...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Third Level Fees (17 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: I thank Senator Harmon for raising this important issue and for the opportunity it provides to discuss the Government’s ongoing work to make further and higher education more accessible and more affordable. The Minister, Deputy Lawless, is today at an informal meeting of EU researchers in Copenhagen so unfortunately he cannot be here to discuss this topic himself. The Government...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Third Level Fees (17 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: I have been following and engaging in this debate for the last number of weeks, I think it is fair to say that this is just pure populism politics being playing by a lot of people in government and across the Opposition and I have no hesitation in saying that. When was there ever a budget announcement in July? The budget will be at the end of September or in October, the same as it has been...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services (17 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: The Minister would like to thank Senator Stephenson for raising this important issue and for offering her the opportunity to respond. Respite is a key priority area for the Department and the HSE and we have seen significant investment in respite services. Respite services can play a crucial role in delaying and-or preventing moves into full-time residential placements, preserving the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services (17 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: The data the Senator wants to see flow from the audit is something we can alert the HSE on. There has been steady growth in respite since 2022 with 2024 seeing a significant increase in activity with nearly 10,000 additional overnight sessions and 20,000 day sessions delivered. This coincides with an increase in funding year-on-year. Great work is being done to identify the best use of our...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: International Students (17 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: I thank the Senator. Ireland has consistently condemned the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza and continues to urge all parties to do everything possible to support efforts under way to reach agreement on a new ceasefire and hostage release deal. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including Irish embassies and consulates worldwide, provides consular assistance to Irish...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: International Students (17 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has assisted 153 individuals in exiting Gaza. Where officials in the Department have received requests for assistance, they have reviewed each case within the context of the Department's consular assistance charter, which guides its overall consular assistance policy on the ongoing situation in Gaza and provides clear advice and guidance to these...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Policy (17 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I note he is raising it in conjunction with his two colleagues, who, unfortunately, are not here to partake. I recall that my Fianna Fáil colleague, the other TD in the area, Tom Brabazon, raised this issue at a Fianna Fáil party meeting recently when we were discussing the whole area of sustainable communities. In the first instance...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Policy (17 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: As I stated at the outset, the provision of amenities and services is a core element of the plan-making process and is key to promoting the development of balanced and sustainable communities. Section 10 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 sets out mandatory objectives which must be addressed by local authorities in their development plan, including objectives for the integration of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Overcrowding (17 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: I thank Deputy Quinlivan for giving me the opportunity to address the House on capacity at University Hospital Limerick and provide an update on measures that are being taken to alleviate overcrowding. Reducing emergency department overcrowding and reducing waiting lists is a priority for this Government. Many patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Overcrowding (17 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: There is no doubt that when people get through the emergency department at UHL, the care and treatment they receive up the house and in their journey through UHL in the main is very good and very high quality.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Overcrowding (17 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: That needs to be acknowledged and put on the record. Very often, the political narrative around UHL dismisses the very fine work that is going on there at all levels by porters, nurses, doctors, senior house officers, consultants and those at administration level. Of course, there have been some very unfortunate high-profile individual cases which have been in the news. They should never...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Overcrowding (17 Jul 2025)

Niall Collins: I have outlined the significant investment and the significant progress that the Government has made over recent years, particularly since Fianna Fáil returned to government in 2020 by almost doubling the operational budget, increasing the workforce by well over 1,000 and increasing bed capacity. There has been a robust response. The Deputy said there has not been a robust response. I...