Results 21-40 of 11,474 for speaker:Niall Collins

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...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Sports Events (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, to which I am replying on behalf of the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. It is important to note that the GAA, like all national governing bodies, NGBs, in sport, is an independent, autonomous body. The management of broadcasting and commercial rights is entirely a matter for the association. The GAA, like all NGBs,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Sports Events (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I referred to the independent analysis of the consultation that took place. This will inform which events will be brought to the EU for approval, as required. Already, all-Ireland football, hurling and camogie finals are designated for free-to-air coverage. The current review involves an examination of the possibility of designating a number of additional GAA events, such as the quarter-...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Rabbitte, who thanks the Deputy for raising this matter. The Minister is fully committed to the continued development and enhancement of our children’s disability services through the CDNTs, as they seek to ensure equitable access to services for all children with complex needs. The...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: While recruitment and retention of staff to CDNTs remains a considerable challenge, the Minister of State wishes to reaffirm her commitment as well as that of the HSE and her Department to exploring all avenues to improve access to CDNTs for children and their families in CHO 5. I will make the Minister of State aware of all of the issues the Deputy raised here this evening.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Enrolments (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy. I also wish to point out that the Department will continue to liaise with local authorities in respect of their county development plans and any associated local area plans, with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas. I can assure the Deputy that Department of Education officials will continue to work...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Enrolments (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: Drive on

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Enrolments (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter. It gives me the opportunity to set out for the House the position with regard to school places including special education in north Kildare for September 2024 and onwards. I can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post-primary level, including children...

Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion [Private Members] (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank all Deputies for their contributions on this important and timely motion. A show of unity on an issue such as this sends a strong message to victims' families and survivors and, I hope, to the British Government. The events of 17 May 1974 mark the greatest loss of life in any single day of the Troubles. This Friday will mark 50 years since that callous and brutal act of violence....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Transport (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: On behalf of the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, I wish to thank Senator Byrne for raising this matter today. Before I address the specific issue raised, I will provide an outline of the extent of the school transport scheme. The school transport scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, more...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Transport (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: Unfortunately, I am not able to give the Senator absolute clarity on when they will commence, but I envisage that it will have to be within a matter of a short number of weeks because, as the Senator rightly pointed out, we are into May and shortly will be into June and people are looking to the next school year, which is 2024-25. I will communicate, both to Bus Éireann and to the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising this important matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline the current position. The major building project for St. Anne's special school at the Curragh in County Kildare is included in the Department's construction programme, which is being delivered under the national development plan. The brief for this project is part demolition of...