Results 1-20 of 11,403 for speaker:Niall Collins

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...

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

Niall Collins: I do not know the answer to that question. I will have to revert to the Senator on that.

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

Niall Collins: While we recognise and support the intentions relating to amendments Nos. 44, 91 and 92, the partnerships described are already possible and facilitated under section 49 of the Bill. In being very detailed and prescriptive, this could become a limiting provision. The policy areas described are all encompassed by the existing provisions in section 8(d) and (f). The aspects the agency will...

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

Niall Collins: With regard to section 12 of the Bill and the power of the Minister to issue guidelines to the agency this reference is to other Ministers. This section of the Bill relates primarily to the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, and also possibly to whole-of-Government policy, and is a standard provision in legislation of this kind. The example of...

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

Niall Collins: I am advised that the standard practice is they will be published.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (30 Apr 2024)

Niall Collins: 263. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW will detail the amount of funding provided to a project (details supplied); the details of the scheme through which this funding was provided; where the promoters of similar projects can apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19444/24]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (30 Apr 2024)

Niall Collins: 264. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a map (details supplied) prepared by the OPW is available; if so, where a copy of same can be obtained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19445/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (30 Apr 2024)

Niall Collins: 362. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a recently approved school building project (details supplied) can be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19437/24]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (30 Apr 2024)

Niall Collins: 409. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department will review the case of a person (details supplied) and issue the full grant payment, given the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19177/24]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 Apr 2024)

Niall Collins: 500. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will extend the online application service for GNIB cards to Limerick, where applicants are experiencing significant wait times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19079/24]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (30 Apr 2024)

Niall Collins: 501. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on an undocumented regularisation appeal (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19080/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (30 Apr 2024)

Niall Collins: 640. To ask the Minister for Health for an update regarding current staffing levels of paediatric epilepsy services at University Hospital Limerick; the number of current vacancies which may exist within the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18803/24]