Results 841-860 of 11,777 for speaker:Niall Collins

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (19 Oct 2023)

Niall Collins: I hope the reply will be of use to the Deputy. The Department has placed an unrelenting focus on the area of apprenticeships. One of the first actions the Minister, Deputy Harris, and I took was to publish a dedicated action plan for apprenticeships to drive this important reform. The impact has been clear. The growth in apprenticeships in recent years has been significant. Since 2021,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (19 Oct 2023)

Niall Collins: We will send the numbers to the Deputy afterwards. At the end of September 2023, 8,757 apprentices were waiting to access off-the-job training, of which 5,345 were waiting longer than six months. At phase 2, there were 7,096 apprentices, of which 5,194 were waiting longer than six months. At phases 4 and 6, there were 1,161 apprentices, of which 51 were waiting longer than six months. I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (19 Oct 2023)

Niall Collins: I recognise and acknowledge the concerns raised by the Deputies. Suffice it to say the eye was not taken off the ball on this. It has been a continual focus within our Department. At the same time, we have to protect the quality of training provided and we had to build capacity to deal with the backlog. The backlog has dropped since 2021 from in excess of 11,000 to approximately 7,500....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 Oct 2023)

Niall Collins: I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 134 together. The Education and Training Boards (ETBs) contract Specialist Training Provision (STPs) to provide learner-focused training and related services, to assist individuals to enter or re-enter the labour market. STPs address the identified training needs of people with disabilities who are experiencing exclusion and labour market...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Economic Policy (19 Oct 2023)

Niall Collins: The initial implementation phase of the Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) Strategy involved the establishment of a National Programme Office (NPO) in SOLAS, with six staff to drive its implementation along with the recruitment of Regional Literacy Coordinators in the Education and Training Boards. Minister Harris chairs the ALL Strategy Oversight Group and the NPO has recently established a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Budget 2024 (19 Oct 2023)

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

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (19 Oct 2023)

Niall Collins: Following discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, approval for an offer to be made to the unions was agreed earlier this year. The proposal is that a grade of Adult Educator will be formally established with a standardised payscale aligned with the Youthreach Resource Person Scale. This grade will apply to tutors employed in ETBs...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: An Teanga Gaeilge (19 Oct 2023)

Niall Collins: Is príomhchuid é cur chun cinn na litearthachta sa Ghaeilge den Litearthacht d’Aosaigh don Saol (ALL ) - straitéis 10 mbliana an rialtais do litearthacht, d’uimhearthacht agus do litearthacht dhigiteach d’aosaigh. Tá sé luaite i Straitéis ALL nach mór freastal ar riachtanais litearthachta chainteoirí dúchais na Gaeilge agus gur...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Costs (19 Oct 2023)

Niall Collins: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 144 together. A key focus in Budget 2024 is to further reduce the cost of third level education and put money back into people’s pockets. The package of measures announced will address cost barriers and make further and higher education more accessible for more people than ever before. A significant step is removing PLC fees with effect...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (19 Oct 2023)

Niall Collins: The Deputy will be aware that a number of Education and Training Boards have employed personal assistants to provide supports to learners under the Fund for Students with Disabilities. Officials in my Department and I have engaged with a variety of stakeholders on this issue, including SOLAS, FÓRSA, the ETBs and have met with a number of Personal Assistants also. Budget 2024 includes...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Budget 2024 (19 Oct 2023)

Niall Collins: The package of measures announced in Budget 2024 will break down cost barriers, making further education more accessible for more people than ever before. PLC learners eligible for SUSI grants will benefit from the increases announced in the maintenance grant rates and student grant income thresholds. Building on our decision to abolish the €200 PLC Levy from the 2022/23 academic...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (19 Oct 2023)

Niall Collins: At the end of September, there were 5,194 apprentices waiting longer than the required six months at Phase 2, 99 at Phase 4, and 52 at Phase 6. These waiting times reflect the strong growth in registrations for craft apprenticeship in a demand-led system, where employers in a buoyant construction sector are continuing to recruit strongly to meet their future skill needs. Craft apprenticeship...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (19 Oct 2023)

Niall Collins: My officials are making further enquiries in relation to this matter and a reply will issue to the Deputy when these enquiries are complete.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (17 Oct 2023)

Niall Collins: I can confirm to the Deputy that a meeting with my Department has already been offered and that my officials are awaiting receipt of the details of the proposed attendees in order to make the necessary arrangements for the meeting to take place.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (17 Oct 2023)

Niall Collins: My officials are compiling the information sought, which will be forwarded to the Deputy when available.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Communications (11 Oct 2023)

Niall Collins: 199. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the relevant official from his Department can contact a person (details supplied) immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44367/23]

Seanad: Access to Third Level Places and Student Accommodation: Statements (4 Oct 2023)

Niall Collins: I thank all the Senators who contributed. The Minister and I readily acknowledge that students face many obstacles in choosing and completing third level education. The current cost-of-living and housing difficulties are acutely felt by third level students. However, the steps implemented by this Government seek to erode those obstacles and provide more opportunities and supports to those...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (3 Oct 2023)

Niall Collins: 448. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide an update on an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42583/23]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Disability Services (3 Oct 2023)

Niall Collins: 542. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will advise a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42470/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Childcare Qualifications (3 Oct 2023)

Niall Collins: Officials in my Department have liaised with SOLAS and the Higher Education Authority for the latest data on childcare courses. Currently, there are 63 childcare focused courses being offered across the country, with 19 being offered in Education and Training Boards and a further 44 in Higher Education Institutions. A full list of these courses and course references is attached. Important...