Results 21-40 of 5,044 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Middle East (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I am deeply concerned by the desperate situation of civilians in Gaza. This remains a central priority for the Government, including at EU level, where Ireland is consistently calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. Horizon Europe is the European Union’s largest research and innovation programme and encompasses all European Member States as well as 18 Associated Countries...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: 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 financing options and mechanisms for the Technological Sector to provide student accommodation. In November 2022, a fund of €1m was approved by Government to assist the Technological University (TU)...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: As the Deputy will be aware, the Higher Education Authority recently ran a process to identify options to expand higher education provision in a number of priority skills areas including Veterinary Medicine. Proposals were put forward by a range of higher education institutions under this process. The options identified have the potential to transform the numbers of students who would be...

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

Patrick O'Donovan: 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 the old Pretty Polly site in 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. The Kerry proposal is one of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I officially opened the TU Shannon Limerick Coonagh Campus on the 26th April last. The building is currently in use with apprenticeship teaching commencing this month in the facility. The additional eight apprenticeship blocks facilitated by this investment will come on stream from September 2024. Limerick Institute of Technology (now TU Shannon) received €3.5 million from my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Strong endorsement for the craft apprenticeship system by employers, combined with the growth in construction sector activity, has driven a 25% increase in craft apprenticeship registrations since 2019. My Department is overseeing the implementation of a plan put in place by the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) which has, to date, nearly halved the number of craft apprentices waiting...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutions of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006 and the Technological Universities Act 2018, higher education institutions (HEIs) in Ireland are autonomous bodies.As such, institutions are academically independent and are entitled to regulate their own internal affairs, including their engagements with different companies and institutions. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Funding for apprenticeship is determined through the annual Estimates process, led by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. Investment in apprenticeship to grow the capacity in the system has been a priority for this Department. Through Budget 2024, an additional €67 million was allocated for apprenticeship, making the total allocation...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: As the Deputy is aware, Budget 2024 increased certain income thresholds which shall commence in September 2024 as outlined below:- Increased income threshold for Band 4 maintenance rate from €46,790 to €50,840 Increased income threshold for 100% Student Contribution grant from €50,840 to €55,924 The Special Rate Maintenance is also increasing in September from...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: In November 2022, Government approved funding of €1m to assist the Technological University (TU) sector, including Atlantic Technological University, in developing a student accommodation programme based on a regional needs and feasibility assessments. The Higher Education Authority (HEA) appointed consultants to undertake this study which commenced in June 2023. The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Climate Action Plan (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The eight actions for which my Department holds lead responsibility under Climate Action Plan 2024 (CAP24) are progressing in line with Climate Action Plan 2024 expectations. One action has already been completed for Q1 2024. A further two actions, regarding developing the green skills and capacities required for a net-zero economy at both Higher and Further Education respectively, are due...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: As the Deputy is aware, in Budget 2024, the following long term measures will commence in September 2024:- The income threshold for the Band 4 Maintenance Grant is increasing from €46,790 to €50,840 The income threshold for the 100% Student Contribution Grant is increasing from €50,840 to €55,924 The income disregard for holiday earnings (earnings outside of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: As part of the Short-Term Activation Programme, the University of Galway (UG) received approval to progress a proposed leasing project for approximately 242 additional beds over 15 years, subject to review. An assessment was commenced by the Higher Education Authority as part of the due diligence process, however during the ongoing assessment the proposal was withdrawn by the vendor. ...

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

Patrick O'Donovan: The Deputy will be aware that over the course of 2023, Cavan Monaghan ETB (CMETB) were supported by SOLAS in developing their Preliminary Business Case (PBC) proposal for Cavan town 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. The Cavan town proposal is one of twelve FET...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The challenge facing students in accessing appropriate student accommodation is an issue which Government and I are actively addressing under Housing for All. I am progressing a new policy and student accommodation strategy to provide State assistance to stimulate the development of new student accommodation. Last month the Taoiseach and I announced the investment of €100m in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The challenge facing students in accessing appropriate student accommodation is an issue which Government and I are actively addressing under Housing for All. I am progressing a new policy to provide State assistance to stimulate the development of new student accommodation. Last month, the Taoiseach and I announced the capital investment of €100m from the National Development...

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

Patrick O'Donovan: It is essential more than ever that our skills ecosystem has the agility and flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and skills needs of the workforce, labour market and society, with the backdrop of the accelerating and intensifying digital and green transitions. In this context, one of the key themes of the OECD Review of Ireland's National Skills Strategy published last May was the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Increasing apprenticeship delivery capacity is a priority for my Department. Strong demand in apprenticeship coupled with an extremely buoyant construction sector has seen craft apprenticeship registrations rise by 25% since 2019. Following analysis in July 2023 showing that some apprentices were waiting overlong for their off-the-job training, a plan was developed by the National...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Higher Education PPP programme, which was originally announced as part of the Building on Recovery Capital Plan 2016-2021, includes eleven projects. This commitment to the PPP programme has been carried through into the current National Development Plan 2021-2030. The investment is considered a key enabler of the role of Technological Universities and Institutes of Technology in driving...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The requirement for three out of the past five years takes cognisance of and provides a generous degree of flexibility for students who may wish to take time out to travel or work outside the State. These students can still meet the residency requirement if they have not been outside the State for more than two of the previous five years. The residency requirements of the Student Grant...