Results 41-60 of 11,474 for speaker:Niall Collins

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

Niall Collins: Special schools are a particular priority for the Department's schools building programme. On delivery, the new building for St. Anne's special school will be very transformative for the school community. The Department design team will keep school authorities informed of further developments in the completion of stage 2B and the progression of the major build project. I will absolutely...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I agree with that. I thank Senator Lombard for allowing me the opportunity to update the House on the new endoscopy unit in Bantry General Hospital. Bantry General Hospital is a busy model 2 hospital providing services to the population of west Cork and south Kerry, from the Beara and Sheep’s Head peninsulas in the south to Kenmare in the west, Macroom and Clonakilty in the north and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank Senator Lombard for raising this issue. Misinformation and disinformation being peddled by people on the doorsteps in the middle of an election campaign is really regrettable. The Senator is right to use this opportunity to allow me to outline to the people of west Cork and south Kerry the investment the Government has made in Bantry General Hospital. I have relations in the area...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Primary Medical Certificates (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: 245. To ask the Minister for Finance if a response will issue to matters raised in correspondence regarding inequality in awarding the primary medical certificate (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21776/24]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Correspondence (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: 485. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21626/24]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: 520. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to improve rates of pay for childcare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21490/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I am aware that Ballyfermot College of Further Education (BCFE) offers a BA Honours Degree in Visual Media awarded by the University of Dundee. It is a full-time 2-year top-up degree course with options to specialise in animation and game design. There are 37 students enrolled on the 2-year degree programme in 2023/23. There are a further 27 students currently enrolled in BCFE on a 1-year...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: My Department has only recently become aware of this article published in the Irish Journal of Education in April 2024. My officials are reviewing the article, which I understand explores the unique characteristics of the programme to identify variables influencing staff retention. This article follows the Youthreach Employee Wellbeing Report 2022: A review of employees experience of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: The ESRI’s Evaluation of the National Youthreach Programmes in 2019 found that over three quarters of Youthreach and Community Training Centres offered QQI level 3 and 4 qualifications with a fifth offering the LCA Programme. Most centres structure learning so that young people take QQI Level 3 qualifications in year one and progress to QQI Level 4 qualifications in year two. Level 4...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank the Senator. Amendments Nos. 57, 58, 59 and 60 deal with section 15 on the board of the agency. These are standard provisions based on existing legislation establishing agencies. For amendment No. 60, the phrase “or a Minister of the Government” refers to the Minister for Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform. This is a standard provision implementing...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: On directions of Ministers, the powers of the Minister under section 3, relating to regulations and orders, are standard, as evidenced in the Consumer Protection Act 2014 and the Freedom of Information Act 2014. Section 11 is also a standard provision, modelled on the provisions in existing legislation establishing agencies, including Tailte Éireann and the Domestic, Sexual and...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: In terms of amendment Nos. 70 and 71 which deal with section 23, the corporate plan of agency, the Senators wish to require consultation with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the joint committee in preparing the corporate plan. This would be highly unusual. Where there is a specific consultation requirement in previous legislation, it is as laid out as in the existing provision and it...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: We fully understand the Senators' intentions with these amendments but we argue the existing provisions contain the capacity for the kind of consultation and communication the agency will need in terms of planning. The proposed amendment would not be usual and the provision is already in the Bill for the CEO to communicate with committees as requested. We agree public funding is crucial....

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: Amendment No. 74 deals with section 28. The chief executive officer will be appointed for an ordinary term. This was proposed in the heads of the Bill and the appointment is in place. Appointments to public bodies are well understood and operate according to established principles, which I do not see merit in altering. We also need clarity of purpose and continuity of leadership in the...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: The section has been drafted as a standard provision and primarily relates to situations that may arise involving ongoing legal cases where the integrity of the case is paramount and to ensure respect for the separation of powers, as provided for under the Constitution. This does not interfere with any functions or powers of any aspect of the Oireachtas as the provision is already completely...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: The section gives detailed guidance on how to deal with these matters, should they arise, with the High Court being the ultimate arbiter. The use of the words "has been" covers matters that may be the subject of an appeal, for example.

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I have no more to say.

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: Amendment No. 78 relates to section 35 and making the information concerning funding schemes accessible. Again, the requirements for transparency and open competition already capture this. In terms of equality, diversity and inclusion considerations, this is captured in the objects of the agency under section 8(f), where it is required to "advance the principles of equality, diversity and...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: To comment again on the parity of esteem point, Senators will recall that the agency, under section 8, will be charged with supporting "the undertaking of research and innovation in all fields of activity and disciplines by researchers with different levels of knowledge, experience and specialist skills in such fields or disciplines". The Bill states "all fields" of research.

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: The agency will also be required "to promote and support the contribution made by research and innovation to economic, social, cultural and environmental development and sustainability in the State". Yes, this is about economic development but it is also about social, cultural and environmental progress. No one concept is elevated above another here. In fact, they all have parity.