Results 41-60 of 11,487 for speaker:Niall Collins

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...

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...