Results 441-460 of 6,386 for speaker:James Lawless

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (20 May 2025)

James Lawless: I was pleased to announce the key findings from the latest National Survey of Apprentices at the end of April (assets.gov.ie/static/documents/National_Survey_of_Apprentic es_2024-2025_Infographic.pdf). This comprehensive survey of 5,500 apprentices reaffirms the value of apprenticeships in delivering strong, relevant learning and career outcomes in 77 national occupations, with a growing...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (20 May 2025)

James Lawless: A Locally Devised Assessment (LDA) refers to an assessment created by a Further Education and Training (FET) provider to evaluate learners' skills and competencies in a specific course or module. These assessments align with the learning outcomes set by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) or potentially other awarding bodies but are designed locally to suit the needs of learners and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (20 May 2025)

James Lawless: Locally Devised Assessment (LDA) fees are paid to assessors in respect of devising and assessing Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) modules on full-time programmes at levels 5 and 6 of the National Framework of Qualifications. For historical reasons, there are also thirty-one level 4 modules for which LDA fees are paid, where they form part of the QQI major award at level 5. Rates...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (20 May 2025)

James Lawless: I propose to take Questions Nos. 928 and 929 together. Under the Short-Term Activation Programme, funding was allocated to Higher Education Institutions with Purpose-Built Student Accommodation projects that had secured planning permission but had stalled due to viability challenges. As part of the funding conditions, a proportion of the new student beds will be ringfenced for students...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (20 May 2025)

James Lawless: As part of the emergency response to support persons from Ukraine, a Temporary Tuition Fee Support Scheme was introduced. The temporary supports helped Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) to undertake undergraduate or postgraduate courses in academic years 2022/23; 2023/24 and 2024/25. For 2022/23, 310 students availed of the Temporary Tuition Fee Support...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Meetings (20 May 2025)

James Lawless: I can confirm to the Deputy that I met the CEO and Chairperson of SOLAS on 6th February. I am planning to meet with the SOLAS Board and my officials are liaising with SOLAS in relation to the arrangements for this meeting.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (20 May 2025)

James Lawless: Higher Education Institutions are autonomous institutions responsible for their own academic affairs including the development of relevant curriculum, setting tuition fee rates, and student numbers on individual courses. The fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety of factors including the type of course and the student's access route. The assessment of a student’s...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (20 May 2025)

James Lawless: The potential cost of making adjustments to the student contribution under the Free Fees Initiative may vary from year to year, depending on the number of eligible students attending higher education and the number of students availing of student contribution supports from SUSI. My Department published an Options Paper in 2024 where the cost of reducing the student contribution by...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (20 May 2025)

James Lawless: Within the Further Education and Training (FET) sector, SOLAS manages the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) which supports eligible students on Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses so that they can participate on an equal basis with their peers. Based on the 2024/2025 academic year, approximately 6% of PLC learners have availed of FSD supports. SOLAS have advised my officials...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (20 May 2025)

James Lawless: The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the awarding authority, SUSI to determine. Postgraduate students who meet all the conditions of the Student Grant Scheme may become eligible for the following supports:A student Maintenance grant which was restored in September 2024 for the first time since the financial crash with a pro-rata effect from...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (20 May 2025)

James Lawless: The Government recognises third level education can be a significant cost for families and students. In budgets 2023 and 2024 My Department was able to provide further financial assistance to students most in need by increasing maintenance grant rates.Effective from January 2023, all maintenance grant holders received an increase in their grant rate of between 10% and 14%.Effective from...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Bodies (15 May 2025)

James Lawless: The Research and Innovation Act, 2024 enacted following approval by both Houses of the Oireachtas provided for the establishment and functions of a statutory body to be known as Research Ireland, the dissolution of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), as well as the transfer of the activities as respects research and innovation carried out by the Irish Research Council (IRC) in the Higher...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (15 May 2025)

James Lawless: I am conscious of the fiscal challenges facing students and the need for the progressive implementation of measures to address costs as a barrier to education. I am committed to easing this burden for students and their families in a financially sustainable way. Specifically, in relation to the matters raised, it is important to note that all students eligible for the Free Fees Initiative...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (14 May 2025)

James Lawless: Further Education and Training (FET) offers a variety of courses to meet personal and professional needs. These are available nationwide on a full-time or part-time basis and on weekdays, evenings, and weekends. For personalised guidance, I would recommend that the person in question contacts the Adult Education Guidance Service in Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board. My...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (14 May 2025)

James Lawless: As the Deputy is aware, the Prison Education Taskforce was established in May 2023, and it is co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Justice. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Artificial Intelligence (14 May 2025)

James Lawless: I wish to note the launch last week of the Government’s new Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Service by Minister Jack Chambers. The new guidelines support the public service to implement guardrails to ensure that the rights of the individual are safeguarded and will aim to positively impact any AI practices. Key areas of focus by the HEA...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (14 May 2025)

James Lawless: As an autonomous body with academic and administrative freedom, Maynooth University is responsible for its own policy and programme development, including in relation to the programme the Deputy refers to. I am aware that the Turn to Teaching programme has been on a pilot basis and is part of the PATH 1 initiatives of the National Access Plan and I will be making an announcement regarding...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Contracts (14 May 2025)

James Lawless: The purchase of IT equipment for my Department is managed by the Department of Education in the first instance under a Memorandum of Understanding.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (14 May 2025)

James Lawless: The Deputy should note that Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous and consequently, the management of their day to day functions, including decisions on courses and academic disciplines, are matters for the individual institution in the context of their governance structures and policies. My Department does not have a role in the monitoring of additional new courses or academic...

Power of Higher Education, Research and Skills as Economic Enablers in a Changing World: Statements (13 May 2025)

James Lawless: I will make an opening statement and then the Chair of the Oireachtas committee, Deputy Erin McGreehan, will speak and the Minister of State, Deputy Marian Harkin, will close the debate at the end. I welcome that we have taken some time in the House today to address one of the most important issues that confronts a Government at any time, but particularly in changing and challenging times...