Results 1-20 of 5,894 for speaker:James Lawless

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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 May 2025)

James Lawless: There are 25 Craft Apprenticeship programmes offered across four families – Construction, Electrical, Engineering and Motor. A craft apprenticeship lasts for a minimum of four years, during which time apprentices spend three different periods in off-the-job training. The first off-the-job training phase, which is Phase 2 of 7 training phases in a Craft Apprenticeship, takes place...

Seanad: Higher Education: Motion (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: The Senator's last lines are good advice for anybody.

Seanad: Higher Education: Motion (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: I was just taking stock and this has been a good debate. I thank the Senators who brought forward the motion, and all who contributed. I am delighted to see the topic is getting air time in this House and the other House, because it is of such fundamental importance to our economy, our society and everything we do and have done as a nation. I am delighted this opportunity for all to have...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: My officials are examining this matter and will revert to the Deputy as soon as an update is available.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: An official from my Department contacted the Deputy’s office seeking information regarding the student to enable a more individualised answer. However, the official was advised that the student's parent did not want to provide any further information. In general, for student grant purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: The requirements on which information is being sought is a matter for the Department of Justice. However, my officials have been in contact with that department and I am advised that that Department will respond to you directly if you contact them.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Responsibilities (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: My Department has not yet made any Delegation Orders for the Minister of State. All delegation Orders are publicly available on www.irishstatutebook.ie.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: There is a comprehensive and ambitious set of commitments for research and innovation in the new Programme for Government. This work will be progressed via a number of national policies and strategies, under the national research and innovation strategy Impact 2030. The formation of Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland in August 2024 is designed to build a more effective and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: My Department is not aware of any application relating to the refurbishment of a disused protected structure for use as a Community Adult Education Centre for St. Mary’s Community in Limerick City. Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board has advised my Department that St. Mary’s Adult Education Centre operates as an outreach community education centre. It applies...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: I can confirm that any income received from a maintenance arrangement is regarded as reckonable income under the Student Grant Scheme 2025. However, where maintenance payments have been made under a legally enforceable arrangement to a separated spouse those payments are disregarded for the purposes of calculating the reckonable income of an Applicant. Further information on reckonable income...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cycling Facilities (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: As the Deputy will be aware the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) was established in July 2020. Cycle to work scheme applications are processed by the Department of Education on behalf of my Department as part of Memorandum of Understanding between both Departments. The number applications processed on behalf of DFHERIS are as follows. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Undefined (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: On the matter of the pipefitting apprenticeship I welcome that the measures I have previously outlined are being implemented to address backlogs and capacity. I am advised that officials from my department have responded to you directly through the E-correspondence system regarding the details provided. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Information and Communications Technology (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: Springboard+ 2025 has not yet been finalised, therefore it is not possible to provide the requested information in relation to 2025, at this time. The requested information is available in the table below for Springboard+ 2024: SPRINGBOARD+ 2024 Skills Area No. Courses No. Places Cost Artificial...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Bodies (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: Quarterly prompt payment reporting data submitted by public bodies and agencies under my Department are compiled and published in accordance with Government Decision S29296 of 19 May 2009, 2 and 8 March 2011, and 28 March 2017. These reports, are made available online. Please see links below. 2025 Prompt Payments - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-further-and-higher-education-res...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Bodies (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: Public bodies under the aegis of my Department are required to submit quarterly prompt payment reports in accordance with Government Decision S29296 of 19 May 2009, 2 and 8 March 2011, and 28 March 2017, regarding the 15-Day Prompt Payment Commitment. These reports are published on a quarterly basis. Details can be found in the links below: Q1 2025 Prompt Payments - Q1 - Q4 2023 Prompt...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: I propose to take Questions Nos. 592, 593, 595, 596 and 597 together. Our higher education system plays an important role in supporting and promoting the use of the Irish language. To this end, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has a statutory responsibility to ensure that higher education institutions (HEIs) promote and use the language. It should be noted that Higher Education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006, and the Technological Universities Act 2018. They are responsible for their own administrative and academic affairs, including those impacted by the Official Languages Acts. Recurrent grant funding is allocated to these institutions either...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: A priority for my department remains the continued growth of the national apprenticeship system to meet Ireland’s skills needs now and into the future. The termination of an apprentice’s contract of employment does not result in the termination of the apprenticeship. In this case, the apprenticeship is put on hold until a new apprentice employer is secured, at which point the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous bodies within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006, and the Technological Universities Act 2018. They are responsible for their own administrative and academic affairs. Recurrent grant funding is allocated to these institutions either through the HEA, which disburses funding on behalf of...