Results 1-20 of 11,487 for speaker:Niall Collins

Research and Innovation Bill 2024: From the Seanad (29 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I am grateful for the opportunity to address the House. On Committee Stage in the Seanad, I brought forward one technical amendment that relates to an additional section being inserted, section 71, "Confirmation of acts done or purporting to have been done". This is a technical amendment to provide full clarity and continuity of the related provisions in the Statute Book in advance of the...

Research and Innovation Bill 2024: From the Seanad (29 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy for her contribution and input. I thank all Deputies who have indicated their support for this Bill. I also thank the Senators who contributed to a lengthy debate in the Seanad on the Bill and I thank the officials from the Department for their work on this. Hopefully, it will represent a new horizon for the research community right across Ireland, which is a really...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 May 2024)

Niall Collins: You are all very quiet over there.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Employment Rights (29 May 2024)

Niall Collins: 61. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24246/24]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (29 May 2024)

Niall Collins: 155. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24216/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes (29 May 2024)

Niall Collins: 181. To ask the Minister for Health if he can advise regarding correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24200/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (29 May 2024)

Niall Collins: 187. To ask the Minister for Health if there are plans to increase the income thresholds for a medical card for people under 70 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24214/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (28 May 2024)

Niall Collins: 205. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on a school project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23605/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (28 May 2024)

Niall Collins: 223. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23848/24]

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 Staff (23 May 2024)

Niall Collins: As the Deputy will be aware, SOLAS was authorised to revise the Guidelines on the Fund for Students with Disabilities to provide for a standard hourly rate of €21 plus 8% holiday pay for personal assistant employed directly by ETBs, with effect from 1st March 2024. My officials are finalising the terms of reference for a review of Personal Assistance services funded from the Fund for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Tax Code (23 May 2024)

Niall Collins: As the Deputy will appreciate any issues pertaining to taxation are a matter for the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners. Section 195C of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 contains a specific tax exemption for travel and subsistence payments paid by the State Examinations Commission to examiners in relation to the State examinations. My officials are engaging with the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Bodies (23 May 2024)

Niall Collins: SOLAS has advised that whilst it does not have any posts specifically for planners or architects, there are two Programme Managers in its Capital Unit to support the planning, delivery, and operation of small and large-scale capital projects within the Further Education and Training sector. The roles are filled by personnel with the relevant technical and professional training, expertise and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (22 May 2024)

Niall Collins: 101. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23100/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Employment Rights (22 May 2024)

Niall Collins: Following negotiations between my department, the Department of Education, which has regulatory responsibility for the Education and Training Board (ETB) sector and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (DPENDPR) a proposal was accepted by relevant Unions to create a new grade of adult educator, with a standardised pay scale. This grade will...

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: The definition in the Bill as drafted is aligned with EU policy and Irish national policy and strategy. The Bill does not exist in isolation but within an existing statutory framework with regard to climate action. There is already a legal obligation on public bodies to comply with Ireland's climate law.Section 15 (1) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act of 2021...

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

Niall Collins: The new agency will play a critical role in driving change and finding innovative solutions to enable us to thrive, integrating climate action and sustainability into all of its functions. The new agency will be following on from the excellent ongoing work of both agencies in that regard, with a mandate to foster co-operation across the research and innovation ecosystem, to protect 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...