Results 8,281-8,300 of 47,419 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 825 and 827 together. The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 sets out new ways of structuring, funding, and promoting apprenticeships to make apprenticeship more accessible to employers and learners, to achieve a target of 10,000 annual registrations across a wide range of programmes by 2025. Expanding apprenticeship across all sectors of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Harris: In response to the Deputy's request relating to officials participating in the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Programme, I can confirm that, since the establishment of my Department in August 2020, no officials have undertaken this course.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Harris: As part of Budget 2023 I have secured a significant cost of living package for third level students including a once-off €1,000 state financial support towards the undergraduate student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for my Department’s free fees schemes. The once off €1,000 support relates specifically to the student contribution payable by...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the attached spreadsheet. The data was sourced from the HEA Student Records system for the most recent five academic years available, 2017/2018 to 2021/2022 inclusive. This data outlines the medical student enrolment numbers for Irish Students, including Northern Ireland, per Higher Education Institution, including a percentage breakdown...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: I wish to advise that under the Protocol for the disposal of state assets, the property referred to by the Deputy was listed for disposal on the State Property Register in September 2019 with no interest being indicated by the State sector in retaining the property in public ownership. On that basis, Grangegorman Development Agency (GDA) and TU Dublin have incorporated the disposal of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: I am happy to provide the Deputy with an update on what I consider a very important funding stream for my Department to develop and grow its supports for vulnerable learners, learners with disabilities, under-represented groups and the most marginalised. I have allocated funding for an additional 50 PATH 2 1916 Bursaries. The bursaries provide extra support to students from disadvantaged and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: In July 2022, I announced that an additional 50 1916 bursaries of €5000 per student would be made available for the most socio-economically disadvantaged students as identified in the National Access Plan including those with a disability, mature students, lone parents, and further education award holders. In addition, changes were introduced to the 2022/2023 PATH 2 1916 Bursary scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: The deputy will be aware that the fourth National Access Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education (NAP) (2022 – 2028) was launched in August. It identifies several priority groups that are currently under-represented in higher education, including Irish Travellers and the Roma community. The new NAP sets ambitious targets for Traveller participation in Higher Education and for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ukraine War (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: Firstly, I am aware of the student in question and my officials have engaged with the student since their return to Ireland. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, I have been unwavering in my support to the Irish students whose studies were interrupted, and arrangements have been put in place to continue with their education. As the deputy will be aware, dentistry education is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Consultations (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: The Programme for Government Our Shared Future includes a commitment to ensure that Ireland is a global leader in research and innovation across the arts, humanities, social sciences and STEM. Consequently, Impact 2030: Ireland's Research and Innovation Strategy, which I launched on the 18thof May, positions research and innovation at the heart of addressing Ireland's societal, economic and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Vacant Properties (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 262 together. Direct engagement with higher education institutions in respect of their estates is generally done through the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in terms of their estate management. My Department works closely, through the HEA, with HEIs on the issue of estates in the context of capital planning and investment programmes and student...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: As part of Budget 2023, the Government has approved a once off State support of €1,000 towards the student contribution payable by students eligible for free tuition fees under my Department’s Free Fees schemes in academic year 22/23. Where students do not qualify for Free Fees funding they pay the appropriate fee as determined by each higher education institution. In this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: Under the Free Fees Initiative, tuition fees are paid in respect of eligible full-time undergraduate students undertaking approved courses in eligible institutions. Free Fees funding has been extended to a limited number of courses in not-for-profit private institutions, where specific learning or skills needs have been identified. In Marino Institute of Education, Free Fees approved...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Transport (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: I met with the Minister for Transport in September to discuss transport options for students across the third level sector, including issues relating to access to public transport. I am keen to continue engagement on this issue, given the critical role played by accessible and affordable public transport in facilitating access to tertiary education. The provision of public transport...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: The student referred to by the Deputy was awarded 50% student contribution by the awarding authority. A party to an appeal had declared employment would cease on 30 June 2022, so an additional letter was sent to the applicant on the same day as the award letter requesting Confirmation of Cessation of Employment from Revenue in order to review under a change of circumstances. As of 25th...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (26 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: Under the Free Fees Initiative, tuition fees are paid in respect of eligible full-time undergraduate students undertaking approved courses in eligible institutions. Free Fees funding has been extended to a limited number of courses in not-for-profit private institutions, where specific learning or skills needs have been identified. In Marino Institute of Education, Free Fees approved...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: The National Shared Services Office (NSSO) is responsible for the payment of pensions to retired personnel from the Technology University and Institute of Technology Sector. The NSSO have advised officials of my Department the majority of retirees of the HEI to which the Deputy refers will have received the 1 October 2021 increases by the end of October and it is expected the remaining...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: There are a total of 5 persons working in my Department’s Communications Unit. The section is responsible for management of all press and media relations, in addition to internal and external communications and information campaigns delivered through a variety of channels, including via social media.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Irish Language (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: My Department is represented on a new Steering Committee established by the Department of Education to support the development of a Policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht. This group will provide oversight, guidance and direction on the development of the Policy. The Policy will contribute towards achieving the aims of the government's 20 Year Strategy for the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Properties (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: The procurement, purchase and rent of Government offices is the responsibility of Property Management Services in the Office of Public Works, which acts as an agent for all Government Departments and offices. I can confirm to the Deputy that a new office space was acquired in September 2021 for my Department’s Head Quarters at 52 Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. I can confirm that...