Results 781-800 of 11,766 for speaker:Niall Collins

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Policies (28 Nov 2023)

Niall Collins: As the Deputy will be aware, plans to spend the significant and growing surplus in the National Training Fund must be considered within the context of the Government’s overall budgetary policy.Any increase in NTF expenditure, all other things being equal and without a corresponding reduction on the Vote, requires an increase in my Department’s and the overall Government...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cost of Living Issues (28 Nov 2023)

Niall Collins: I have asked my officials to contact the relevant Education and Training Board that funds the National Learning Network in question in relation to the individual's case and I will respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cost of Living Issues (28 Nov 2023)

Niall Collins: I can confirm that all people in receipt of ETB training allowances who were previously in receipt of a Disability Allowance payment, will receive the €400 Cost-of-Living lump sum and the other cost of living lump sum payments as appropriate. My officials have requested SOLAS and the Education Shared Business Service at the Department of Education (ESBS) to put the necessary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (22 Nov 2023)

Niall Collins: Tipperary Education Training Board currently operates the Youthreach Programme in three Youthreach Centres and four Community Training Centres (CTCs). The numbers of Youthreach and CTC learners in attendance at end October 2023 across these settings in Tipperary is set out below: Centre Learners in attendance at end October 2023 Cappawhite 21 ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (21 Nov 2023)

Niall Collins: 295. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 660 of 7 November 2023, if a response will issue to additional correspondence in relation to same (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50745/23]

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.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (16 Nov 2023)

Niall Collins: 62. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the competition for the new DFA election monitoring roster will be advertised; the number of places available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50378/23]

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.

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

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy. I can appreciate her frustration. I am not in a position, based on what I have before me, to give her any specific answer or comfort in regard to the issue she has raised with particular reference to Galway and the issues people there are enduring. More generally, I have been given an update to give her, of which she is aware, regarding the supports which the Government...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Dental Services (14 Nov 2023)

Niall Collins: I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. I thank Deputy Murnane O'Connor for the opportunity to address the issue of the expansion of dental care for patients and increased fees for dental contractors. The dental treatment service scheme, DTSS, provides dental care free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Services...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Dental Services (14 Nov 2023)

Niall Collins: I have listened to the Deputy and colleagues in the Chamber and have taken onboard the points made. I assure the Deputy that addressing access to dental care, including for adult medical card holders, is a top priority for the Minister and the Government. The Minister made substantial additional investment in oral healthcare services both in 2022 and 2023. Fundamental reforms are also...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Mortgage Resolution Processes (14 Nov 2023)

Niall Collins: I again thank the Deputy for raising the issue. In the first instance, I would encourage any person who is experiencing a repayment difficulty, or who has any other genuine concern in respect of their mortgage, to contact their mortgage creditor to discuss the matter. Of course, it is also essential that, in turn, these Central Bank-regulated entities, irrespective of whether they are a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Mortgage Resolution Processes (14 Nov 2023)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. The Government is acutely aware of the pressure that the rising interest rate environment may have on borrowers. In light of this, the Minister convened a meeting with lenders active in the mortgage market on 31 August. The Central Bank of Ireland, the Insolvency Service of Ireland, the Citizens Information Board and the Money Advice...

Escalation of Violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (14 Nov 2023)

Niall Collins: I thank Deputies for their valuable contributions. We all know these terrible circumstances are of huge interest to the House and the people of Ireland. I first want to echo the horror Deputies have expressed at the tragedy unfolding in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory as we speak. There can be no excuse for this level of brutality and bloodshed. I want to restate that I...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: International Protection (14 Nov 2023)

Niall Collins: Since February 2022, as part of the whole-of-government response to the war in Ukraine, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has supported approximately 100,000 people who have sought temporary protection in Ireland, over 80% of whom have sought State-supported accommodation. On average, approximately 650 people per week seek accommodation from the State....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: International Protection (14 Nov 2023)

Niall Collins: The State has a legal obligation to assess the claims of those who seek international protection and, in that time, to provide accommodation and supports in line with the recast reception conditions directive, given effect by Statutory Instrument 230 of 2018. Under the temporary protection directive, 2001/55/EC, beneficiaries of temporary protection receive accommodation or access to means...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services (14 Nov 2023)

Niall Collins: I thank Senator Wall for raising this important issue for discussion in the House. I want to be completely clear that the development of any child with a disability to reach his or her full potential remains a matter of utmost importance for this Government. I am aware that the provision of a timely and effective assessment process that works for children and families is an area of ongoing...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services (14 Nov 2023)

Niall Collins: I thank the Senator for providing me with this opportunity to speak on this very important issue. I fully agree, and I know it is a view shared across government, that children who are seeking assessments of need must receive them in a timely manner. Funding has been provided to the HSE for additional posts in recent years to enhance the capacity of the children's disability network teams,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Agriculture Schemes (14 Nov 2023)

Niall Collins: I thank the Senator. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Charlie McConalogue. The TAMS provides grants to farmers to build and-or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings. TAMS 2 closed to applications on 16 December 2022. This extremely successful scheme has paid out more than €427 million in respect of 35,778 payment...