Results 1,241-1,260 of 11,766 for speaker:Niall Collins

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Schemes (28 Mar 2023)

Niall Collins: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 units per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost-rental homes. Housing for All is...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment Facilities (28 Mar 2023)

Niall Collins: On behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, I thank Deputy Michael Healy-Rae for raising this important issue and providing me with the opportunity to address the matter. The programme for Government supports the uptake of Uisce Éireann's small towns and villages growth programme 2020-2024. The programme provides water and wastewater...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment Facilities (28 Mar 2023)

Niall Collins: I wish to thank the Deputy again for his comments. I appreciate his interest in wastewater in parts of rural Ireland without public water services. I have listened carefully to what the Deputy has said and I assure him that it will be kept in mind in the context of the evolving new funding measures. While the Minister has responsibility in ensuring the overall funding for Uisce...

European Council Decision: Motion (28 Mar 2023)

Niall Collins: That is okay. It is no problem.

European Council Decision: Motion (28 Mar 2023)

Niall Collins: I thank the two Deputies for their contributions. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, this measure is essential to ensure the continued close law enforcement co-operation between the EU and the United Kingdom. It is vital we meet the highest standards possible when it comes to dealing with mutual legal assistance requests between EU member states and the UK. This proposal will see the...

European Council Decision: Motion (28 Mar 2023)

Niall Collins: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Transport (28 Mar 2023)

Niall Collins: I thank Senator Martin for raising this important matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Foley. Before I address the specific issues raised, I will provide an outline of the extent of the school transport scheme. The scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 149,000 children,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Transport (28 Mar 2023)

Niall Collins: I again thank the Senator for the opportunity to update the House on school transport for the current school year. I reiterate that all eligible pupils who applied on time this year have now been facilitated on board a service for the 2022-23 school year. In addition, there has been a 40% increase in the number of tickets issued to concessionary pupils for the current school year, compared...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (28 Mar 2023)

Niall Collins: On behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Josepha Madigan, I thank Senator Clonan for raising a very important issue. I stress that it is absolutely vital that every child and young person with special educational needs is fully supported in the education sector, whether this be in mainstream education or in a special class or special school. Significant investment and reforms have been...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (28 Mar 2023)

Niall Collins: I again thank the Senator for raising this important issue and providing the opportunity to reassure the House that the Department of Education is committed to ensuring that all children can access an education suitable to their needs. I acknowledge the excellent work done in our schools with, for and by students. There are significant challenges, and we all know and accept that. All of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Health Nursing Services (28 Mar 2023)

Niall Collins: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, I thank the Senator for raising this matter and for the opportunity to update the House. Public health nurses play an extremely valuable role within the community healthcare system. It is vital that local communities, such as the community in Drimnagh, have access to public health nurses and the extensive range of services they provide....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Health Nursing Services (28 Mar 2023)

Niall Collins: The Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, fully acknowledges the Senator’s concerns and those of the community in Drimnagh regarding the relocation from the Curlew Road Health Centre to the Armagh Road primary care centre. However, it is important to note this is a short-term measure to pool resources while recruitment challenges exist. The introduction of the measure will allow the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Planning Issues (28 Mar 2023)

Niall Collins: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. I thank Senator Davitt for raising it. The Minister is aware that there are provisions in planning legislation whereby an existing planning permission for development, including of rural housing, may be extended in duration under certain circumstances to allow development to take place. The Minister would like to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Planning Issues (28 Mar 2023)

Niall Collins: Existing legislation provides for the extension of the duration of a planning permission, subject to certain criteria set out in the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Specifically, section 42 enables the holder of a planning permission to apply to a planning authority for up to two extensions to the appropriate period of the permission, provided the combined duration of both...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (28 Mar 2023)

Niall Collins: 289. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14961/23]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Budgets (28 Mar 2023)

Niall Collins: 490. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can advise what the budget was for disability residential care for the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15321/23]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (28 Mar 2023)

Niall Collins: 531. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a payment to a service provider (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15332/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (28 Mar 2023)

Niall Collins: The Reach Fund, originally named the Mitigating Against Educational Disadvantage Fund, was introduced in 2020 to support the most disadvantaged learners throughout the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fund has continued to focus on the participation of disadvantaged learners in education, particularly those who are undertaking literacy and skills programmes and on building the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (28 Mar 2023)

Niall Collins: 590. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15333/23]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Waiting Lists (28 Mar 2023)

Niall Collins: 650. To ask the Minister for Health what measures are in place to reduce audiology lists in Limerick for those under the age of 4 years and those over the age of 4 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14809/23]