Results 2,741-2,760 of 11,777 for speaker:Niall Collins

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: Yes.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: Of €43.5 million, €24.4 million will go to subhead B.4, the general grants to universities, institutes of technology and other designated institutes of higher education, namely those I listed some moments ago; €600,000 is allocated to subhead B.9 which is grants for certain third-level institutions; and B.11 which is the SUSI subhead of €18.5 million.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: Earlier in the year, the student assistance fund was slightly more than doubled to €20 million, which is a significant sum. There is also provision within SUSI for a change of circumstance. All members, as practising public representatives, will be aware of that. In a welcome move a number of months ago, the Minister, Deputy Harris, announced a review of SUSI rates for next year. I...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: It is expected that about 170,000 students will benefit from this and approximately 70,000 of those are in receipt of a SUSI grant.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: The Minister, Deputy Harris, and I have both referred to the matter. It has been referred to at this committee. This is either our third or fourth appearance at this committee. In the Dáil and Seanad we have had statements on further and higher education, during which the matter articulated by the Deputy has been raised by other speakers. It is the elephant in the room. The Cassells...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: We understand it is due early next year. It will be a big conversation for everybody and a big decision for Government.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: On mental health supports, as part of the July Covid funding there was a complete package of €168 million. It was broken down into various component parts, including €20 million for student assistance funding and a scheme to purchase 17,000 laptops. I do not have the exact amount for mental health supports but I think it was €3.4 million to fund additional mental health...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy. If I understand the circumstances she has outlined correctly, this student is a fourth-year student who has paid all of his fees in their entirety and is not in receipt of a SUSI grant. In that instance, the student will get a cash refund of €250 from his college. It is relatively straightforward. By giving students who are not in receipt of a SUSI grant a...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: Yes.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: To answer the Deputy's second question first, I am probably constrained in providing an opinion as it would only be my own personal opinion. I do not want to do a disservice to the process that will arrive at the ultimate decision. Suffice it to say that the Minister, Deputy Harris, has said on the record a number of times that this is the elephant in the room. The issue has been knocking...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: We can get the Deputy a note on that.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: There are demographic pressures. Small increases related to demographic changes were built into our budget for next year. We will get the Deputy a detailed note on the matter.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy for the question. Approximately two weeks ago, the Minister and I held a Zoom conference with the presidents and heads of all of the universities, institutes of technology and institutions funded through the HEA. The main part of the discussion related to a request by us to the colleges, insofar as possible in light public health guidance, the public health advice...

Seanad: Technological Universities Agenda: Statements (2 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: When the restrictions at county boundaries are lifted.

Seanad: Technological Universities Agenda: Statements (2 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: I thank the Acting Chairman for his remarks. I sincerely thank Senators for a very informed, stimulating and incisive session. We have had several sessions in this Chamber relating to further and higher education and they have all been very engaging. I think all present agree that we are not just entering a new era in higher education, but advancing purposefully through it. It is an era...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (2 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: Apprenticeships are national programmes and are offered by employers throughout the country. Off-the-job training for the 25 craft apprenticeship programmes is held in Training Centres and Institutes of Technology/TU Dublin, with certain locations specialising in specific apprenticeship programmes due to the need for specific workshop equipment and trainer expertise. The number of new...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: SOLAS Training and Education Programmes (2 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: Safe Pass training re-opened for face to face delivery on 11th June of this year, during a period in which all other face to face education and training remained suspended. Safe Pass, Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and Quarrying Skills Certification Scheme (QSCS) courses were included in Phase 2 of the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business alongside...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances (2 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: 178. To ask the Minister for Health if the FreeStyle Libre will be available to all type 1 diabetes patients through the HSE in the near future (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40745/20]

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Ministerial Correspondence (1 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: 138. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if he will address the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) with the Companies Registration Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40245/20]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (1 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: 298. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if a property (details supplied) can be included in the pyrite remediation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39950/20]