Results 381-400 of 6,386 for speaker:James Lawless

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: My Department announced the Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund (SIUF) programme call, in February 2022, to support the upgrade of Further Education and Training (FET) infrastructure for Education and Training Boards (ETBs). Its purpose is to provide for high-quality teaching and learning environments, aligned with the principles of the FET College of the Future. The SIUF was...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: The introduction of Professorships in the Technological Universities is a major priority for me, and is a key commitment of the Programme for Government. The creation of such posts was a significant recommendation of the 2022 OECD review on the development and reform of academic staff structures in the Technological University sector. These roles will enable the transformation of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: Thank you, Deputy, for this important question. I assure you that my Department is committed to improving the lives of people with disabilities in line with the Programme for Government. There are several specialist programmes within Further Education and Training, or FET, for learners with disabilities. Through Specialist Training Provision, ETBs contract providers, including the National...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: I am committed to reaching a solution for an appropriate Youthreach facility to be leased in Macroom. My Department issued permission to Cork Education and Training Board (ETB) to enter negotiations with Bus Éireann, the prospective landlord at the end of March. A due diligence process must now be completed, which considers value for money, assessment of needs, climate targets and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Traveller Education (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: Improving the rate of participation of the Travelling community in third level education is one of the key priorities under the National Access Plan 2022-2028. Far too few Travellers participate in higher education. The National Access Plan target is for 150 new entrants each year to higher education by 2028, but the latest figures suggest around 40 new entrants. Addressing this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: I thank the Deputy for his question. Louth Meath ETB (LMETB) is currently being supported by SOLAS in developing its Preliminary Business Case (PBC) proposal for Dunboyne under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund and have met as recently as this month on this. The proposal put forward by LMETB relates to the development of a new fit for purpose facility on a green field site...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: I look forward to consulting with stakeholders this year as my Department reviews the delivery of the current Action Plan, and develops a new 5-year strategy for the apprenticeship system from 2026. My priority is ensuring that the apprenticeship system is well equipped to continue to grow, to respond to the skills needs of industry, and to adapt to the challenges facing the workforce...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research and Development (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: I was happy to announce on May 13th that Government had given their agreement to my proposals to establish a Global Talent Initiative to bring global research talent to Ireland. At a time when uncertainty looms for many researchers around the world, Ireland offers stability, opportunity, excellence and a gateway to the EU. My Department will continue their work with Taighde...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: The development of diverse and progressive pathways for learners in further and higher education is a key strategic goal of myself and my Department. Tertiary programmes, first launched in July 2023, are a new kind of educational provision which allows a student to begin a degree course in further education, before transitioning on to complete their degree in a higher education setting. As...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: Dundalk Institute of Technology do not have their own purpose-built student accommodation, therefore their students rely on private providers, the private rental sector and digs. At present, there are 49 digs beds advertised by Dundalk Institute of Technology. In the last three years, 94 purpose built student accommodation beds have been completed in Dundalk. I understand there are an...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: I am very pleased to be able to inform you, Deputy Connolly, that I have just announced that Galway and Roscommon ETBs (GRETB) proposal for a new FET College in Galway city has been successful in moving forward to the next stage of development - the Pre-tender, Project Design, Planning and Procurement Strategy stage. This is following the evaluation process which was undertaken in April. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: The National Access Plan (NAP) 2022-2028 aims to support inclusion and diversity in the student body, address the wider struggles and challenges for students, and deliver sustainable progress. It recognises the needs of vulnerable learners, the most marginalised and those with experience of the care system. The plan targets and supports students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Mental Health Policy (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: The issue of mental health and wellbeing is an important issue for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). In terms of funding available to the higher education sector, institutions receive funding from a variety of sources that contribute to the expenditure associated with the full range of institutional activities. My Department has provided €31.9 million to the HEIs through the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: The policy objective of both the Free Fees Initiative (FFI) and Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study and to support progression year on year within the same course. In terms of tuition fee supports, first time students undertaking a full-time undergraduate course may be eligible to have their...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: My Department and I are committed to improving access to higher education for students throughout the country. A range of initiatives support this ranging from targeted financial supports to institutional investment, all aimed at breaking down barriers and ensuring that students, regardless of background or location, can pursue their ambitions in higher education. My Department is committed...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: The primary objective of the new Student Accommodation Strategy which is in development is to address affordability and supply of student accommodation. My focus is on delivering targeted interventions that advance equitable access to higher education. To effectively address the challenges in student accommodation, we are employing four key tools: the development of standardised design...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research Funding (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: Government policy, as set out in Impact 2030, Ireland’s national strategy for research and innovation, identifies Talent as one of its five key pillars. Pillar 4 of Impact 2030 outlines my Department’s strategic approach to continuing to support researchers throughout their career, including emerging researchers from students to early post-doctoral researchers. It also outlines...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: I fully understand the importance of adult education and its ability to empower individuals, enhance their learning and provide new opportunities. These courses also serve as important social outlets for participants. As Minister, I have no role in the day-to-day operational management of Education and Training Boards (ETBs), which are independent statutory bodies. It is the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Health Services Staff (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: This Government is prioritising workforce planning across health and disability services, including in Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy and Physiotherapy disciplines. An interdepartmental working group is currently underway with senior officials from my Department, the Department of Health, HSE, HEA, Department of Education and Youth, and Department of Children, Equality...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) is a pathway for degree holders who want to pursue a medical career on an accelerated four-year programme. Students pursuing GEM programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding. They are also not eligible for funding under the Student Grant Scheme as they do not meet the progression criteria of the Scheme. ...