Results 21-40 of 2,729 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Niall Collins

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Traveller Education (27 Feb 2024)

Niall Collins: The Traveller apprenticeship incentive programme is funded under the Dormant Accounts Fund scheme. The programme is aimed at increasing the uptake of and retention of apprenticeships. The programme is structured across three streams: a €3,000 bursary for each 20 Travellers who are employed as new apprentices; a €2,000 incentive payment to each of their employers; and each of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (27 Feb 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy for her question. We have a singular focus on securing sustained reductions in waiting times for apprenticeship training. There has been a significant reduction in the number of apprentices waiting longer than six months for their off-the-job training. The backlog stood at 3,817 in January 2024. It was as high as 5,212 in in August 2023. The progress achieved results...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (27 Feb 2024)

Niall Collins: It is important to bear in mind that normal waiting times for off-the-job training range from three to six months. That needs to be factored in. At the end of January, there were 8,967 apprentices waiting for training. That included a figure of 3,817 who had waited more than six months. The numbers waiting have significantly reduced from a peak of almost 12,000 apprentices in August 2021....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (27 Feb 2024)

Niall Collins: We do not feel that is an issue. It has not been flagged to me, but we will look at it based on what the Deputy has said here today. As the Deputy knows, the national development plan, Housing for All and our climate action responsibilities and targets are a huge focus for all of us. We put significant resources into building our capacity to address the backlog which, as we know, was all...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2024)

Niall Collins: He described you as populist.

Research and Innovation Bill 2023: Referral to Select Committee (31 Jan 2024)

Niall Collins: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)(a) and 178(1).

Research and Innovation Bill 2023: Second Stage (31 Jan 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputies who have indicated their support for the Bill and all those who contributed to the Second Stage debate today. I thank them for their considered and useful input. Research, innovation and the skills and talent that are produced through those processes are central to the social and economic development of our country. The agencies, through their work to date, have...

Misuse of Drugs (Cannabis Regulation) Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (31 Jan 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank Members for their contributions to this discussion on drugs policy and acknowledge their interest in and commitment to this issue. The Government is fully committed to a health-led approach to drug use. We believe people with problematic drug and alcohol use should be treated with compassion and care. The citizens' assembly made 36 recommendations, which will next be considered...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Schemes (31 Jan 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy for tabling this Topical Issue. Social housing support is provided to those who are most in need. The current income eligibility requirements generally achieve this, providing for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households facing the greatest challenge in meeting their accommodation needs from their own resources and ensuring constrained resources are...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Schemes (31 Jan 2024)

Niall Collins: Supply, which is key to addressing our housing needs, is increasing. The Government's Housing for All plan is having a real impact. More homes are being built and bought than in a generation, providing people with housing options they did not have when the plan was published two years ago. While Government has already introduced an increase of €5,000 in the baseline social housing...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Schemes (31 Jan 2024)

Niall Collins: I will find out and let the Deputy know.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (31 Jan 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for raising this matter. The Deputy will understand that the progression of wastewater infrastructure at local level is a matter for Uisce Éireann. As I previously stated, however, Uisce Éireann is aware of the difficulty with wastewater treatment in Dunmanway and is currently reviewing the situation with the intention of providing a solution. This...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Network (31 Jan 2024)

Niall Collins: I welcome the opportunity to outline the position on the matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Éamon Ryan and the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers. An Post is a commercial State company with a mandate to act commercially and, as such, day-to-day operational matters, including decisions on the size, distribution and future of the network, are matters for the board and the management...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Network (31 Jan 2024)

Niall Collins: I have listened with interest to the points the Deputy raised. As indicated earlier, decisions relating to post offices are operational matters for An Post and are not matters for the Minister or where the Minister has a statutory function. An Post, as he will know, plays an important role in serving the needs of business and domestic customers alike. This is at the forefront of An...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (31 Jan 2024)

Niall Collins: The Minister would like to thank the Deputy for raising this issue and for allowing me to have the opportunity to outline the position regarding the water treatment issues in Dunmanway on his behalf. As the Deputy will understand, the supply of public water and the provision of water services in general are matters for Uisce Éireann in the first instance. However, the Department of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: International Protection (31 Jan 2024)

Niall Collins: I will make the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the relevant Ministers aware of the Deputy's input. He will also be aware that changes were made in December last year that will come into effect in March of this year in terms of beneficiaries of temporary protection. Ireland is, and always has been, a welcoming place. The Irish people are fundamentally aware of, and support, the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: International Protection (31 Jan 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As Deputies will be aware, Ireland has welcomed more than 103,000 arrivals from Ukraine, with 76,000 people currently living in State accommodation and 58,000 of those in fully serviced accommodation. The Deputy will also be aware that the number of international protection applicants continues to grow. He clearly pointed out the difference in...

Science Week: Statements (16 Nov 2023)

Niall Collins: I thank everyone in the House for the opportunity to have this debate and for their contributions throughout. It was great to hear such a passionate discussion on science. This is a discussion that we would encourage not just us in this House to continue having, but everyone around the country, especially those who work with children. It is so important to encourage and instil a curiosity...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (16 Nov 2023)

Niall Collins: He is not.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Flood Risk Management (14 Nov 2023)

Niall Collins: I will convey the Deputy's frustration to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and to the Minister and Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works. I will convey to them what the Deputy has said about the length of time this has taken and I will ask them to give her a full response.