Results 1-20 of 2,167 for at speaker:Niall Collins

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Disadvantage (15 May 2024)

Niall Collins: The Reach Fund supports educationally disadvantaged learners to access and participate in community education. It is administered at a local level through the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) who advertise the Fund inviting Community education providers to apply for funding for eligible projects. SOLAS issues annual guidelines for the operation of the Fund and approves an allocation...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Sports Events (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, to which I am replying on behalf of the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. It is important to note that the GAA, like all national governing bodies, NGBs, in sport, is an independent, autonomous body. The management of broadcasting and commercial rights is entirely a matter for the association. The GAA, like all NGBs,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Rabbitte, who thanks the Deputy for raising this matter. The Minister is fully committed to the continued development and enhancement of our children’s disability services through the CDNTs, as they seek to ensure equitable access to services for all children with complex needs. The...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Enrolments (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter. It gives me the opportunity to set out for the House the position with regard to school places including special education in north Kildare for September 2024 and onwards. I can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post-primary level, including children...

Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion [Private Members] (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: ...and timely motion. A show of unity on an issue such as this sends a strong message to victims' families and survivors and, I hope, to the British Government. The events of 17 May 1974 mark the greatest loss of life in any single day of the Troubles. This Friday will mark 50 years since that callous and brutal act of violence. Our discussion today is a timely and essential reminder of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Transport (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: On behalf of the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, I wish to thank Senator Byrne for raising this matter today. Before I address the specific issue raised, I will provide an outline of the extent of the school transport scheme. The school transport scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, more...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising this important matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline the current position. The major building project for St. Anne's special school at the Curragh in County Kildare is included in the Department's construction programme, which is being delivered under the national development plan. The brief for this project is part demolition of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I agree with that. I thank Senator Lombard for allowing me the opportunity to update the House on the new endoscopy unit in Bantry General Hospital. Bantry General Hospital is a busy model 2 hospital providing services to the population of west Cork and south Kerry, from the Beara and Sheep’s Head peninsulas in the south to Kenmare in the west, Macroom and Clonakilty in the north and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: My Department has only recently become aware of this article published in the Irish Journal of Education in April 2024. My officials are reviewing the article, which I understand explores the unique characteristics of the programme to identify variables influencing staff retention. This article follows the Youthreach Employee Wellbeing Report 2022: A review of employees experience of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: The ESRI’s Evaluation of the National Youthreach Programmes in 2019 found that over three quarters of Youthreach and Community Training Centres offered QQI level 3 and 4 qualifications with a fifth offering the LCA Programme. Most centres structure learning so that young people take QQI Level 3 qualifications in year one and progress to QQI Level 4 qualifications in year two. Level 4...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank the Senator. Amendments Nos. 57, 58, 59 and 60 deal with section 15 on the board of the agency. These are standard provisions based on existing legislation establishing agencies. For amendment No. 60, the phrase “or a Minister of the Government” refers to the Minister for Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform. This is a standard provision implementing...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: In terms of amendment Nos. 70 and 71 which deal with section 23, the corporate plan of agency, the Senators wish to require consultation with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the joint committee in preparing the corporate plan. This would be highly unusual. Where there is a specific consultation requirement in previous legislation, it is as laid out as in the existing provision and it...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: Amendment No. 78 relates to section 35 and making the information concerning funding schemes accessible. Again, the requirements for transparency and open competition already capture this. In terms of equality, diversity and inclusion considerations, this is captured in the objects of the agency under section 8(f), where it is required to "advance the principles of equality, diversity and...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: Amendments Nos. 82, 86, 87 and 88 relate to section 37 regarding the assessment of applications and awards of funding for research and innovation and section 43 concerning non-compliance with conditions of funding for research and innovation. We cannot accept amendment No. 82 for the same reasons as stated regarding amendment No. 79. Funding award processes will be independent and adhere to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Programmes (8 May 2024)

Niall Collins: The Youthreach programme is a national full-time programme for unemployed early school leavers generally between 16 and 20 years of age and is delivered in two settings, Youthreach Centres and Community Training Centres. The Operational Guidelines on Youthreach provide for a year of 225 days, with learners being required to attend for 208 days. Individual learner plans are developed for each...

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: 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: 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...

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]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Youth Work Supports (25 Apr 2024)

Niall Collins: ...325 staff, or some 33% of the sector. It reported challenges facing frontline Youthreach sector staff and workplace stress but also found higher levels of wellbeing by comparison to teaching staff at other levels of education. The report highlighted the dedication and commitment of Youthreach staff to their student cohort. The Youthreach programme is staffed by Co-ordinators, Resource...