Results 4,821-4,840 of 46,267 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I can assure the Deputy that all deaths in custody are treated very seriously. The Irish Prison Service notify all deaths in their custody to An Garda Síochána, who investigate as appropriate, in addition to the inquest held in the Coroner's Court. All deaths in custody as well as any that occur within one month of temporary release from prison service custody are also subject to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for front-line immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. Other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Immigration officials conduct passport checks, and run operations as required, to ensure passengers arriving in the State are properly documented in accordance with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Applicants for international protection are required to cooperate with the international protection process. This includes ensuring their Temporary Residence Card is in date and their address is up to date with the International Protection Office (IPO). It is the case that some applicants leave the State without notifying the International Protection Office and choose not to continue with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 788 and 789 together. In considering this matter it is important to note that the total level of fees charged to Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) students is a matter for the higher education institutions, consistent with the principle of their institutional autonomy. The State provides support for broadening access to GEM programmes through the part-subsidy of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Proposed Legislation (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: During the debate on the Higher Education Authority Act 2022, a number of amendments to the Higher Education Authority Bill were requested by Senators relating to the inclusion of a definition of student union. I stated in the Seanad that I had assessed and considered these amendments but had received legal advice that the Higher Education Authority Act was not the appropriate place to define...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The mental health and well-being of students is a priority for my Department. My Department has progressed a number of initiatives, in partnership with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), over the last number of years to address the mental health and well-being issues faced by students in higher education. I have provided €15.9 million through...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: To ensure all eligible apprentices are offered a training place, the SOLAS apprenticeship scheduling management system is designed to call apprentices by apprenticeship and training phase, on a longest waiting basis on the day of scheduling to the nearest available Education and Training Board, Institute of Technology, or Technological University. Whilst every effort is made to eliminate...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 793 and 795 together. An Annual Student Contribution (ASC) is levied on all who attend Institutes of Technology (IoTs) and Technological Universities. The amount of ASC charged to apprentices is calculated on a pro-rata basis according to the time that they spend in the institution during the academic year. In cases where training is delivered in an...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising matters in relation to the cost of supporting students with 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 payable by students and that students have real cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, the HEA recently carried out an exercise to identify options for building capacity in the higher education sector in priority disciplines including Veterinary Medicine. As I am still reviewing the submission from the HEA, it is not currently possible to say how many further places may be delivered at this time, which higher education institutions may be involved,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cost of Living Issues (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I am aware of the impact of accommodation shortages and cost of living on our third level students and am actively working to address the supply of student accommodation. Increasing costs of construction and financing are impacting on viability, and as a result a number of Universities had to pause their projects. In responding to these challenges, on 29 November 2022, Government approved...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Childcare Services (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I can confirm that my Department does not assist with, or make a financial contribution to, the sourcing or provision of childcare or crèche facilities for the children of any staff members of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Mental Health Services (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy is not held by my Department. CORU, as the regulating body for the health sector, would need to confirm the programmes and disciplines accredited to work in the mental health sector in Ireland, in order to accurately request student enrolment data from the HEA. Provided below is the number of students enrolled in mental health nursing and psychiatric...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Ireland is moving from its initial emergency response towards a more sustainable model of provision for displaced persons arriving from Ukraine. This approach is designed to align service delivery with those available to Irish and EU citizens, in accordance with the equity principle contained in the Temporary Protection Directive. This means new entrants to higher education courses in the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising matters in relation to the cost of supporting students with 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 payable by students and that students have real cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Energy Infrastructure (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is the state agency responsible for the external quality assurance of further and higher education and training in Ireland. In September of each year QQI publishes the certification periods for the following calendar year. There are six times during the year when providers may request certification from QQI for their learners. Requests from providers...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The amount paid by my Department to external legal teams, HR specialists, accountancy firms and consultants in 2022 can be found in the following table: - Amount Legal Teams € 3,716.05 HR Specialists Accountancy Firms € 27,137.50 Consultancies € 183,314.53

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 806 to 809, inclusive, together. Significant engagement is ongoing between my Department, the Department of Health and the Higher Education sector to develop a joined-up approach to address system level demand in allied health disciplines. Healthcare programmes are, by their nature, complex in delivery. There are some fundamental issues, which are in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Measures (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I express my solidarity with those members of the Prison Service whom Deputy O'Sullivan referenced. Of course, prison officers will be covered by this change, as will those providing medical assistance, those working in the National Ambulance Service, the Defence Forces, and members of An Garda Síochána and of the fire service. We are referring to people who are currently termed...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Measures (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I will reflect on the point the Deputy made as we take the legislation through the Oireachtas. We did look at the issue of maximum and minimum sentences. There can be constitutional concerns around the issue of mandatory minimum sentences, but there is quite a bit of evidence that where maximum sentences are increased, it results in an upward pressure or trajectory in terms of sentences...