Results 4,741-4,760 of 46,260 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: I am very aware of the pressures affecting students arising from the cost of living and have taken a number of measures to address this. In Budget 2023 I secured a package of cost of living supports which saw a significant reduction in the cost of college for third level students and their families. For students starting their course this September, I have increased grant rates, with all...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to the promotion of the Irish language, and I recognise the vital role which the further and higher education system plays in promoting our language, and in ensuring that there are sufficient graduates with competence in Irish to meet skills needs in this area. Reflecting the importance of the language in the higher education system, the Higher Education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising matters in relation to the cost of supporting students with tuition fees and other higher education costs. I am acutely conscious of the challenges facing students and the need for the progressive implementation of measures to address cost as a barrier to education. I also recognise that costs are not limited to tuition fees or other registration fees payable...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Qualifications Recognition (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: Under the current model, trainees who successfully complete a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) or Quarries Skills Certification Scheme (QSCS) programme receive QQI accreditation and a CSCS/QSCS card. Following an independent review of SOLAS’s Construction Services Unit in 2017 and subsequent consultation with public sector, industry, and staff representatives, all...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Bodies (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: The list of public bodies under the aegis of my Department is as follows: The Higher Education Authority Irish Research Council Grangegorman Development Agency SOLAS Skillnet Ireland Quality and Qualifications Ireland Léargas - The Exchange Bureau Science Foundation Ireland The Oireachtas contact details for each of the aegis bodies are provided in the document attached. Contact E-Mail...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 393, 394, 395, 396, 398 and 401 together. One of my goals as Minister is to ensure that potential learners have access to the educational pathways that allow them reach their potential in a way that meets the very broad and rapidly changing needs of our labour force, the economy and society. It is therefore my objective to ensure that capacity continues...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Labour Market (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department continues to prioritise strengthening our skills ecosystem to ensure it has the agility and flexibility to adapt to changing priorities in the skills and workforce development landscape, including increasingly rapid, technologically driven changes in the world of work. This focus is underpinned by the detailed and comprehensive OECD Report on Ireland's Skills Strategy...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department is actively addressing the availability of student accommodation, given the challenges in the wider rental market. Through “Housing for All”, the Government has approved development of policy and provision of funding to increase the supply of purpose built student accommodation. This has resulted in the State directly supporting the short term development of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Bullying in Educational Institutions (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, our tertiary education institutions have a duty of care to ensure that staff and students have a safe environment to study and work; free from bullying, harassment or other forms of unwanted behaviour. This is an entitlement for everyone who works and studies at our third level institutions. The Deputy will be familiar with the ‘Speak Out’ tool which my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: Equity of Access to Further and Higher Education continues to be a national priority for the Government and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Inclusion is a key goal in my Department's Statement of Strategy. The Deputy may be aware that I already instigated improvements to the student grant scheme in Budget 2022. For the academic year 2022/23, I...

Seanad: Garda Reserve: Statements (31 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach and Senators for the opportunity to address the House on this matter. I thank Senator McDowell who sought this discussion. We have spoken about the issue and I am very grateful to have the opportunity to explore it. I express my gratitude to the members of the Garda Reserve for their commitment and dedication to community safety. The time...

Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences against the Person (Amendment) (Spiking) Bill 2023: Second Stage (31 May 2023)

Simon Harris: In the week I have been described in one newspaper as a poor Michael McDowell tribute act, which I do not think was meant as a compliment, I am now taking it as such after listening to Senator McDowell's worthy intervention.

Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences against the Person (Amendment) (Spiking) Bill 2023: Second Stage (31 May 2023)

Simon Harris: First, I am delighted to be here to take this legislation. I thank my colleagues in the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party and the Fine Gael Seanad group for tabling this legislation and for working so proactively on it. I am delighted we have an opportunity to discuss it. I thank the members of Young Fine Gael for all their work. Whatever people's political persuasion in this House, is it not...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (31 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Under the Further Education and Training Act (2013), SOLAS has statutory responsibility for planning, funding, and co-ordinating Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland. My officials have referred your query to SOLAS for direct reply to the individual in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (31 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The introduction of the Apprentice Employer Grant of €2,000 per apprentice per annum was a significant deliverable under the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025. Its introduction meant that, for the first time, employers of all apprentices will now have access to financial support, either through direct payment of allowances to apprentices or through this employer grant. In this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (31 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 207 together. The Technological Universities Transformation Fund (TUTF) is a 3-year fund totalling €90 million, for the period 2020 – 2023. It will officially end on 31 August 2023, with all €90 million allocated to the seven technological higher education institutions (ATU, DkIT, IADT, MTU, SETU, TU Dublin and TUS). The fund...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (31 May 2023)

Simon Harris: In Budget 2023 the Government introduced a range of measures to support people with the cost of living. As part of this overall response, I introduced a significant package that has seen students and families directly benefit. The package provided for adjustments to the level of funding available through existing supports provided by my Department, including once-off measures in academic...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (31 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The main support available to assist postgraduate students with the cost of attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved full-time course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (31 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Since 2021, the Department has disbursed just over €96m in funding for the 2021/22 and 2022/23 academic years under the Devolved Capital Grant to Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and eligible Higher Education Institutions. The Devolved Capital Grant is allocated in accordance with a model based primarily on student numbers, weighted by course type and mode of study. In April...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government commits in the Programme for Government to reviewing the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016 and to broaden the range of convictions that are considered spent. As part of this review process, a public consultation on spent convictions was launched by my Department in October 2020. Bespoke research on the approach to...