Results 1-20 of 2,192 for at speaker:Niall Collins

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (9 Sep 2024)

Niall Collins: 420.To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans for maintenance works if any on the Ballinacurra Creek at Ballykeeffe; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34866/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (9 Sep 2024)

Niall Collins: 630.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of plans for additional classroom building works at a school (details supplied); the schedule being followed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[35143/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (9 Sep 2024)

Niall Collins: As the Deputy is aware, my Department provides funding to SOLAS who distributes it to 16 Education and Training Boards to deliver Further Education and Training (FET) programmes and services at local level including Youthreach. The table below sets out the funding provided to ETBs to deliver Youthreach provision (excluding Community Training Centres) for the period 2019 - 2024: - 2019 ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (9 Sep 2024)

Niall Collins: I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this issue with my Department. The Government has invested heavily in Further Education and Training (FET) in the last number of years, increasing FET provision from circa €909 million in 2020 to €1,055 million in 2024 (excluding capital allocation). The 2024 allocation includes €15 million for continued ESOL provision...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (9 Sep 2024)

Niall Collins: As the Deputy may be aware, my Department has invested heavily in Further Education and Training (FET) in the last number of years, increasing FET provision from circa €909 million in 2020 to €1,055 million in 2024 (excluding capital allocation). As the state agency responsible for the FET sector in Ireland, SOLAS allocates the bulk of this funding to the 16 Education and...

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (2 Jul 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. As the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, outlined, the Government agrees that everyone, including lodgers, should have a sense of security and protection in his or her home. Traditionally, where people share their home with a lodger, both parties benefit from the inherent goodwill that underpins digs arrangements. It is possible for digs...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Policy (2 Jul 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank the Senator for giving us the opportunity to provide an update to the House on the replacement 92-bed community nursing unit at St. Vincent's Hospital in Athy, County Kildare. As the Senator has quite rightly said, the hospital was first built in 1844. It provides rehabilitation, respite and extended care to male and female residents, the majority of whom are over 65 years of age. ...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Policy (2 Jul 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank Senator Wall for raising this issue. The Government has delivered unprecedented levels of investment in our health services in recent years. There should be no doubt that the investment in health infrastructure is a substantial priority for Government. Work is progressing across the country under the HIQA compliance programme to replace, upgrade and refurbish our current stock of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (2 Jul 2024)

Niall Collins: 481. To ask the Minister for Health if the post of dentist for patients with special needs which has been vacant since January 2024 at a health centre (details supplied) has been advertised; the interest in the position; when the new dentist will take up their post;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28270/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (2 Jul 2024)

Niall Collins: 491. To ask the Minister for Health when a paediatric neurologist will be employed at University Hospital Limerick given it has been without same for approximately two and a half years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28337/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Adult Education Provision (25 Jun 2024)

Niall Collins: I do not have that information to hand at the moment but will get the data for the Deputy as requested.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Adult Education Provision (25 Jun 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy and will make a couple of other observations. The cost of this deal have been estimated at €2.6 million assuming all tutors assimilate. However, the actual cost will be dependent on the numbers of tutors who opt to assimilate into the new grade. We have asked the ETBs to maintain records to facilitate the identification of the costs. The Deputy asked about the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (25 Jun 2024)

Niall Collins: In relation to the craft apprenticeship at ATU, I reiterate that phases 4 and 6 capacity for electrical apprenticeships has grown from 144 in the 2022-23 academic year to 384 this year. As I outlined, we are increasing capacity to deliver across electrical, refrigeration and metal fabrication at both Letterkenny and Killybegs. Since the start of this session, we have been discussing...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (25 Jun 2024)

Niall Collins: ...Deputies, the Department is aware of the challenges and backlogs. We have put significant resources into dealing with the backlog, which is falling significantly. We will continue to work on that. I appreciate the Deputy's point regarding apprentices having to travel distances to training centres. We are working on this issue too and allocating significant resources to developing...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (25 Jun 2024)

Niall Collins: The Deputy's suggestion has merit and we will highlight it in the Department. As I said, the Deputy should bear in mind we have increased the capacity of the State to deliver off-the-job training. That came at a cost and there are challenges in relation to that in terms of recruiting adequate numbers of suitably qualified tutors and trainers. They were asked to take on an additional...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (25 Jun 2024)

Niall Collins: As it is a priority question, the Deputy will have the opportunity to contribute again. The matter is topical. The Deputy mentioned that it is leaving certificate examination time and that people are looking at their various options. People will look at the time apprenticeships take to complete. Two programmes are unfortunately taking longer than 48 months. The duration of craft...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (23 May 2024)

Niall Collins: Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) provides a wide range of full and part time programmes throughout Cavan and Monaghan. Monaghan Institute offers a wide range of further education and training courses, including PLC courses at Levels 5 and 6, apprenticeships, traineeships as well as a range of part-time options and evening classes. The ETB’s adult education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Sector Pay (22 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I propose to take Questions Nos. 212, 216 and 217 together. The role of the External Authenticator in the Further Education and Training (FET) sector is to ensure an independent verification of quality assurance in assessment processes and procedures within the delivery of education programmes. This is an essential component of the quality assurance mechanisms underpinning the Quality and...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (21 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I would like to address amendment No. 2, which relates to the interpretation section of the Bill., amendments Nos. 10 and 11, which address the objects of the agency, and amendments Nos. 16 and 17, which relate to section 35 of the Bill on schemes for funding of research and innovation. As for amendment No. 2, submitted by Senators Clonan and Craughwell, parity of esteem is not just...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (21 May 2024)

Niall Collins: Regarding amendments Nos. 6 and 13, as outlined repeatedly during the Committee Stage debate, the agency has no remit regarding researcher careers. This Bill is not the appropriate place for this and we are therefore not proposing to accept these amendments. The Government is committed to implementing Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy. A dedicated talent pilar...