Results 3,621-3,640 of 46,260 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: The Deputy will be aware that over the course of 2023, Kerry ETB (KETB) were supported by SOLAS in developing their Preliminary Business Case (PBC) proposal for Killarney under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund. The development of a robust PBC is fundamental to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines. KETB submitted their business case for their FET College of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: It is anticipated that any borrowing framework for TUs would in the first instance prioritise the provision of student accommodation in line with commitments in the Government's Housing for All plan. Housing for All contains a number of key actions relating to the development of additional student accommodation supply supported by the State. It also identifies the need to examine...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: I am strongly committed to meeting electro-mobility skills requirements in light of the role of electric vehicles in supporting the achievement of Government's climate action objectives. In this context, my Department is continuing to work closely with Longford Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) to establish a national eMobility Capability Centre in Mullingar. Last November...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: The Prison Education Taskforce, which I co-chair with Minister for Law Reform, James Browne TD, was established last May. With representatives from both Departments, the Irish Prison Service, SOLAS, the National Apprenticeship Office, Education and Training Boards Ireland, the Probation Service, Maynooth University and former prisoners, the Taskforce aims to improve education and upskilling...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Programme (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: My Department is currently prioritising two pieces of legislation, the Research and Innovation Bill and the Construction Safety Licensing Bill 2023. As part of Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy, the Government has approved the creation of a new statutory research funding agency “Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland”, under the aegis of my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: My Department co-leads with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications a dedicated "skills and workforce workstream" as part of the cross-government Offshore Wind Energy Programme to meet Government's ambitious targets for offshore wind capacity. The recently launched report, Building our Potential: Ireland’s Offshore Wind Skills and Talent Needs, is a key...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: Ensuring a supply of qualified vets to meet the demands of Ireland's agri-food sector is an important issue for my Department. My Department does not place a quota on the number of places on veterinary medicine courses offered by higher education institutions. The number of places provided each year is determined by the institutions themselves in line with their capacity. There are,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Reviews (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: In November 2022, I appointed Dr Andrea Johnson and Mr David Cagney to undertake an independent National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers. This is the first time that State supports for PhD students have been considered holistically in this manner. During their exercise they met with over 35 stakeholder organisations, including an all-day workshop with student groups, and they...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: Universities, including the University of Limerick are autonomous bodies established under statute. Universities are required to comply with all relevant Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines including as appropriate, the Public Spending Code and relevant circulars. As autonomous bodies, the expenditure of a University’s income (public and private) is a matter for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: Ensuring an appropriate supply of qualified vets to meet the demands of Ireland's agri-food sector is an important issue for my Department. My Department does not place a quota on the number of places on veterinary medicine courses offered by higher education institutions. The number of places provided each year is determined by the institutions themselves in line with their capacity....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: I am concerned that a move to annual contracts by some private operators will further increase the cost and barriers to higher education for students. I do not support this divergence away from the policy intention to facilitate students with accommodation during the academic year, and any planning conditions of specific student accommodation. Accordingly, I along with the Minister...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: The National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers is the first time that the issue of state supports for this group has been considered holistically. In the first report from this Review which was published in June 2023, the Co-Chairs made an independent recommendation for an increase towards an optimum stipend level of €25,000, subject to funding availability. Under...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: In line with Housing for All objectives to increase protections in private rental accommodation, my Department developed a Voluntary Regulatory Framework together with a sample license agreement to assist both homeowners and students who wish to participate in the Rent a Room scheme. The guidance aimed to highlight to homeowners and students the key issues to consider when entering into a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. With respect to the area of Higher Education, as she will be aware the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest has a campus in Ennis serving County Clare. Previously, County Clare had lacked a university presence of its own, being instead traditionally served by higher education institutions such as the University of Limerick,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Climate Action Plan (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: My Department has delivered all of its actions for Climate Action Plan 2023 and therefore has no delayed action in 2023 to report. With regard to Climate Action Plan 2021, there are no Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science actions outstanding. My Department remains committed to actively contributing to the overall delivery of Climate Action objectives.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: I published the fourth National Access Plan to Higher Education in August 2022. The plan aligns with and builds on the wider ambitions of the Programme for Government to provide accessible, affordable education to all citizens. While a full midterm review of the plan will take place in 2025, I am pleased to say that we have made progress on a number of areas which support students who are...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Reform (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: The mental health and wellbeing of students is a priority for me and my Department. Institutions receive funding from a variety of sources that contribute to the expenditure associated with the full range of institutional activities. Funding includes recurrent funding allocated by my Department to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to HEA funded Higher Education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: In May 2022, I published a policy framework on the future of funding for third level education in Ireland. The framework identifies priority strand of work, which increased core funding could advance. The strands are: Strand 1: Enhance quality and international standing of the higher education system across the three missions of teaching and learning, research and engagement Strand 2:...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Priorities (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for this important question. With respect to Higher Education, my Department has formally established the Munster Technological University (MTU) which has a campus in Tralee, (formerly Institute of Technology Tralee), serving County Kerry. Previously, County Kerry had lacked a university presence of its own, being instead traditionally served by higher education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien and I have asked our officials to engage on the decision of private student accommodation providers to move to 51-week leases. We recognise that while there may be a market for 51 week leases among some members of the student population, it is not desirable for the vast majority of third level students. I will be...