Results 1-20 of 2,729 for speaker:Niall Collins in 'Dáil debates'

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: Sports Events (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: I referred to the independent analysis of the consultation that took place. This will inform which events will be brought to the EU for approval, as required. Already, all-Ireland football, hurling and camogie finals are designated for free-to-air coverage. The current review involves an examination of the possibility of designating a number of additional GAA events, such as the quarter-...

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: Disability Services (14 May 2024)

Niall Collins: While recruitment and retention of staff to CDNTs remains a considerable challenge, the Minister of State wishes to reaffirm her commitment as well as that of the HSE and her Department to exploring all avenues to improve access to CDNTs for children and their families in CHO 5. I will make the Minister of State aware of all of the issues the Deputy raised here this evening.

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

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy. I also wish to point out that the Department will continue to liaise with local authorities in respect of their county development plans and any associated local area plans, with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas. I can assure the Deputy that Department of Education officials will continue to work...

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

Niall Collins: Drive on

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: I thank all Deputies for their contributions on this important 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....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (21 Mar 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy for raising this Topical Issue on planning enforcement proceedings in respect of the unauthorised development of log cabins. I would point out that, under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, the Minister with responsibility for planning is specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in respect of any particular case with which a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (21 Mar 2024)

Niall Collins: Of course, and I fully understand the points the Deputy is making. I come across this issue in my own constituency regularly. The Deputy pointed out an instance in my constituency of which he was aware. I will make the Minister aware of the points that the Deputy has raised. The Minister cannot halt an enforcement. Under the law of the land, he cannot step in and write a statutory...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Sites (21 Mar 2024)

Niall Collins: I will pick up from where I concluded. The following stage of this proposal envisages that OPW staff and essential contractors access the site via Lime Avenue at predetermined times of the day. The OPW has made written commitments that the volume of traffic would be approximately 20 vehicles per day for OPW staff and essential contractors. People with a disability would also be facilitated...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Bus Services (21 Mar 2024)

Niall Collins: That is not a problem. I will convey the Deputy's request for the details on the smaller buses and the additional stops to the Minister. I will absolutely convey the Deputy's disappointment with regard to Ros Muc. I will also make the Minister for Transport aware of the Deputy's desire that he develop a policy on the distances between bus stops. Other than that, I do not have anything...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Bus Services (21 Mar 2024)

Niall Collins: I can tell the Deputy that the topic of bus stops is emotive. My own father lobbied me for a bus stop near our house for many years - approximately 15 years - and one arrived there last year but I had nothing to do with it landing there. I will convey all of that.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Sites (21 Mar 2024)

Niall Collins: I would like to thank the Deputy for his ongoing interest in Castletown House and estate. In recent months, the Deputy has made continuous representations through parliamentary questions, Topical Issues and Oireachtas committees with regard to Castletown House and estate. He and the other elected representatives of Kildare North are members of the Castletown House and estate...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Bus Services (21 Mar 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank Deputy Ó Cuív for raising this important topic which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Ryan. At the outset, I would like to clarify that the Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding regarding public transport but neither the Minister nor his officials are involved in the day-to-day management, operation or planning of public...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Mar 2024)

Niall Collins: Have a look in the mirror.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Traveller Education (27 Feb 2024)

Niall Collins: We will get the Deputy all of what he has looked for after this session. There were 113 applicants, 86 of whom were male and 17 were female. A total of 70 of the applicants had completed their junior certificate and 40% of the applicants had their leaving certificate completed. In terms of the apprenticeship types, approximately 21 were in construction, 16 in electrical, two in engineering...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (27 Feb 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank Deputy Stanton. One of the five overarching objectives of the Action Plan for Apprenticeships, apprenticeships for all, is to ensure the profile of the apprenticeship population better reflects our general population. The plan promotes access, diversity and inclusion in apprenticeships and offers targeted supports to participants from underrepresented and socioeconomically...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (27 Feb 2024)

Niall Collins: I do not have the figure to hand right now but we will get back to the Deputy.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Traveller Education (27 Feb 2024)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy for his question. The action plan for apprenticeships, which runs from 2021 to 2025 promotes access, diversity and inclusion in apprenticeships by offering targeted supports to encourage participation from under-represented groups such as the Traveller community. One of the plan's main objectives is apprenticeship for all to ensure that the apprenticeship population...