Results 61-80 of 11,474 for speaker:Niall Collins

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

Niall Collins: Amendments Nos. 82, 86, 87 and 88 relate to section 37 regarding the assessment of applications and awards of funding for research and innovation and section 43 concerning non-compliance with conditions of funding for research and innovation. We cannot accept amendment No. 82 for the same reasons as stated regarding amendment No. 79. Funding award processes will be independent and adhere to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: 210. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on a matter (details supplied). [20563/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: Section 32 of the Further Education and Training Act 2013 requires SOLAS to submit its annual report to me no later than the following 31st May, while section 31 requires it to submit its draft financial statements no later than 1st March to the Comptroller and Auditor General. I can confirm that SOLAS submitted its draft 2023 financial statements to the Comptroller and Auditor General on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: The Operational Guidelines Working Group is a sub-group of the Directors of Further Education and Training (FET) Forum created under the auspices of Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI). It comprises nominees from the 16 ETBs, ETBI and SOLAS, a project consultant, and is chaired by an ETB FET Director. The Working Group is developing updated and revised draft guidelines for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Programmes (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: All Youthreach centres are required to have a programme plan for work experience in place. Work experience is a central part of the Youthreach programme and the Youthreach Operational Guidelines requires all centres to have a work experience programme plan to enable learners explore possible career paths through preparing and planning for, participating in and then evaluating a specific work...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Legal Services (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: Work experience is a central part of the Youthreach programme. The Youthreach Operational Guidelines provide for all centres to have a programme plan for work experience, to enable learners explore possible career paths through preparing and planning for, participating in and then evaluating a specific work placement. Youthreach centres undertake a risk assessment before a learner...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Programmes (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: The Youthreach programme is a national full-time programme for unemployed early school leavers generally between 16 and 20 years of age and is delivered in two settings, Youthreach Centres and Community Training Centres. The Operational Guidelines on Youthreach provide for a year of 225 days, with learners being required to attend for 208 days. Individual learner plans are developed for each...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Programmes (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: The Youthreach Operational Guidelines provide that centres may arrange programme activities over the summer period before the centre closes in addition to the minimum 208 learner days. The provision of such programmes or activities is not mandatory. It is a matter for each ETB to determine having regard to the needs of the learners, the estimated attendance over the period and the potential...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: 668. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason an application (details supplied) was unsuccessful; if any similar proposals were successful in this round or in previous rounds; if this group can reapply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20594/24]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Health Services Staff (2 May 2024)

Niall Collins: 250. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current staff vacancies in relation to occupational therapy and speech and language therapy relating to west Limerick children's services; what is being planned to reduce the long wait times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20078/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (2 May 2024)

Niall Collins: Officials in my department are engaging with City of Dublin Education and Training Board in relation to this matter and will revert to the Deputy in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cybersecurity Policy (1 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I propose to take Questions Nos. 327 and 328 together. Officials in my Department are making enquiries with SOLAS and Skillnet Ireland and a response will issue to the Deputy in due course.

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2024)

Niall Collins: For amendments Nos. 20 to 23, inclusive, in this section, we are referencing Government, Ministers of the Government and bodies, whether statutory or otherwise, which are funded, wholly or partly, by public moneys because we are aligning these funded bodies together into a cohesive national funding system. Engagement with multilateral institutions, local authorities or trade unions is of a...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2024)

Niall Collins: Regarding the proposed amendment No. 32 and the objects in section 8, the principles of academic freedom are not a matter for the new agency and not appropriate to the legislation. The Universities Act 1997 protects academic freedom and this is appropriate to the higher education institutions themselves. We absolutely value the principle of academic freedom and it is not appropriate in this...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2024)

Niall Collins: I do not have anything further to add only that, under the Universities Act 1997, academic freedom is protected. We feel that it is appropriate within the higher education institutions themselves. We absolutely agree with the principle, but we do not feel it is appropriate to this legislation.

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2024)

Niall Collins: Amendments Nos. 35 and 36 propose to amend section 9, which relates to the functions of the agency. The three agencies specified in the section are the core funding agencies for research and innovation, particularly in terms of education. We will be requiring a closer degree of co-operation and communication between them in terms of ensuring a more cohesive national system. While the EPA...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2024)

Niall Collins: I apologise.

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2024)

Niall Collins: Amendment No. 38 proposes to amend the functions in section 9 in regard to health and well-being in the State. These matters come under the remit of the Department of Health and the Health Research Board. While we envisage collaboration between the agencies in this space, this would be led by the Health Research Board. Therefore, this amendment would not be appropriate to this legislation.

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2024)

Niall Collins: Section 9 is on the functions of the agency and amendment No. 39 proposes to amend section 9(e), which relates to engaging with An tÚdarás on skills development and ensuring that is a consideration in programme design and participation. The proposed amendment is not appropriate to this provision, as it relates to the completely separate issue of career progression, which is not...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2024)

Niall Collins: The Government is committed to implementing Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy. A dedicated talent pillar highlights the crucial importance of people and talent to the Irish research and innovation ecosystem. It commits to ensuring that researchers are supported with the right skills development and career opportunities so that they can make their maximum...