Results 1,101-1,120 of 10,573 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: It is an important part of our democracy that everyone has the right and the freedom to protest in a peaceful manner and in keeping with the law of the land. This right of course extends to students, staff and researchers of higher education institutions, who are part of academic communities and also operate within the context of their institution's own rules and procedures. Critically,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I welcome the opportunity to set out some of the main actions led by my Department to help alleviate constraints that inevitably arise to meeting labour demand in a full employment economy. My Department's focus is to ensure that the workforce are equipped with the skills required to deliver Government priorities for residential construction and retrofitting, offshore wind energy and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I have been engaging with Minister O’Brien and our officials on the decision of some private student accommodation providers to move to 51-week leases from the traditional leases which reflected the academic year. I recognise that while there may be a market for 51-week leases among some members of the student population, it is not desirable for the vast majority of third level...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Programme for Government commits to growing the footprint of apprenticeship in the education system significantly, and my Department launched the Action Plan for Apprenticeship in 2021, setting out the steps to achieve that goal and support current and future skills need for the economy. Budget 2024 provided €67 million for this growth and to prioritise work underway to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Middle East (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I am deeply concerned by the desperate situation of civilians in Gaza. This remains a central priority for the Government, including at EU level, where Ireland is consistently calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. Horizon Europe is the European Union’s largest research and innovation programme and encompasses all European Member States as well as 18 Associated Countries...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Housing for All contains a number of key actions relating to the development of additional student accommodation supply supported by the State. It also identifies the need to examine financing options and mechanisms for the Technological Sector to provide student accommodation. In November 2022, a fund of €1m was approved by Government to assist the Technological University (TU)...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: As the Deputy will be aware, the Higher Education Authority recently ran a process to identify options to expand higher education provision in a number of priority skills areas including Veterinary Medicine. Proposals were put forward by a range of higher education institutions under this process. The options identified have the potential to transform the numbers of students who would be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Deputy will be aware that over the course of 2023, Kerry ETB (KETB) were supported by SOLAS in developing their Preliminary Business Case (PBC) proposal for the old Pretty Polly site in Killarney under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund. The development of a robust PBC is fundamental to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines. The Kerry proposal is one of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I officially opened the TU Shannon Limerick Coonagh Campus on the 26th April last. The building is currently in use with apprenticeship teaching commencing this month in the facility. The additional eight apprenticeship blocks facilitated by this investment will come on stream from September 2024. Limerick Institute of Technology (now TU Shannon) received €3.5 million from my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Strong endorsement for the craft apprenticeship system by employers, combined with the growth in construction sector activity, has driven a 25% increase in craft apprenticeship registrations since 2019. My Department is overseeing the implementation of a plan put in place by the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) which has, to date, nearly halved the number of craft apprentices waiting...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutions of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006 and the Technological Universities Act 2018, higher education institutions (HEIs) in Ireland are autonomous bodies.As such, institutions are academically independent and are entitled to regulate their own internal affairs, including their engagements with different companies and institutions. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Funding for apprenticeship is determined through the annual Estimates process, led by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. Investment in apprenticeship to grow the capacity in the system has been a priority for this Department. Through Budget 2024, an additional €67 million was allocated for apprenticeship, making the total allocation...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: As the Deputy is aware, Budget 2024 increased certain income thresholds which shall commence in September 2024 as outlined below:- Increased income threshold for Band 4 maintenance rate from €46,790 to €50,840 Increased income threshold for 100% Student Contribution grant from €50,840 to €55,924 The Special Rate Maintenance is also increasing in September from...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: In November 2022, Government approved funding of €1m to assist the Technological University (TU) sector, including Atlantic Technological University, in developing a student accommodation programme based on a regional needs and feasibility assessments. The Higher Education Authority (HEA) appointed consultants to undertake this study which commenced in June 2023. The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Climate Action Plan (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The eight actions for which my Department holds lead responsibility under Climate Action Plan 2024 (CAP24) are progressing in line with Climate Action Plan 2024 expectations. One action has already been completed for Q1 2024. A further two actions, regarding developing the green skills and capacities required for a net-zero economy at both Higher and Further Education respectively, are due...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: As the Deputy is aware, in Budget 2024, the following long term measures will commence in September 2024:- The income threshold for the Band 4 Maintenance Grant is increasing from €46,790 to €50,840 The income threshold for the 100% Student Contribution Grant is increasing from €50,840 to €55,924 The income disregard for holiday earnings (earnings outside of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: As part of the Short-Term Activation Programme, the University of Galway (UG) received approval to progress a proposed leasing project for approximately 242 additional beds over 15 years, subject to review. An assessment was commenced by the Higher Education Authority as part of the due diligence process, however during the ongoing assessment the proposal was withdrawn by the vendor. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Deputy will be aware that over the course of 2023, Cavan Monaghan ETB (CMETB) were supported by SOLAS in developing their Preliminary Business Case (PBC) proposal for Cavan town under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund. The development of a robust PBC is fundamental to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines. The Cavan town proposal is one of twelve FET...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The challenge facing students in accessing appropriate student accommodation is an issue which Government and I are actively addressing under Housing for All. I am progressing a new policy and student accommodation strategy to provide State assistance to stimulate the development of new student accommodation. Last month the Taoiseach and I announced the investment of €100m in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The challenge facing students in accessing appropriate student accommodation is an issue which Government and I are actively addressing under Housing for All. I am progressing a new policy to provide State assistance to stimulate the development of new student accommodation. Last month, the Taoiseach and I announced the capital investment of €100m from the National Development...