Results 35,261-35,280 of 46,522 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: Under the July stimulus package an additional funding allocation of €47.5m was provided for Higher Education skills-related programmes to help get people back to work, upskill workers and build economic confidence while continuing to manage the impact of COVID-19. The higher education elements of the July stimulus package were in three broad areas – further support for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: I wish to advise the Deputy that Department of Finance Circular 47/01 provides for the reimbursement, by Government Departments, of professional membership fees paid by staff. The Circular provides for reimbursement of such fees where the continued membership of professional bodies or associations is necessary for the performance of an officer’s official duties, and where the benefits...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Nursing Education (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students the Government has approved once off funding of €50m to provide additional financial assistance in this academic year.  The funding, which was provided in Budget 2021, in recognition of the significant upheaval they have experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will offer financial assistance to all EU...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 324, 334 and 335 together. The vision of National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2015-2021 is that the student body entering, participating in, and completing higher education at all levels reflects the diversity and social mix of Ireland’s population. The plan set out five goals and more than thirty actions, developed following...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 325, 327, 329 and 336 together. The distinction between academic and technical courses is not one used by my Department. Figures on enrolments by subject area for the years 2014 - 2018 is available in the attached table. 2018 is the latest year for which this data is available. This year more students than ever before were offered a place in higher education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 328, 330 and 331 together. Innovation 2020, the current national strategy for research and development, science and technology, acknowledges the importance of the pipeline of skilled and talented individuals playing a critical factor in innovation. From pre-primary through to further and higher education and throughout an individual’s career, skills...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: The tertiary education system has a number of key strategies in place at all levels to ensure we meet existing and future skills demands. These include policies designed to ensure a pipeline of suitably qualified science and technical graduates, and initiatives to equip young people and the working population more generally with the skills and capacity to meet these demands.  ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: The main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme where students are studying for the first time or are progressing to study at a higher level e.g. progressing to postgraduate study. To qualify for grant support, a student has to meet various criteria such as means, residency, nationality and progression. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Budgets (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: A summary of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science funding allocations for 2021 is set out in Chapter 9 of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s 2021 Expenditure Report that was published on 13 October 2020 as part of 2021 Budget day documentation. This sets out the main areas identified for funding in 2021, with the caveat that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: The current position is the CAO process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on behalf of higher education institutions, which are autonomous.   Decisions on admissions are made by the HEIs who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates.  It is my intention that an important part of the work of my new Department will be to expand...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: The transition rate of pupils from post-primary to higher education has remained relatively steady in recent years, varying between 63% and 64%. This refers to the proportion of post-primary school completers who enter higher education up to five years after they finish post-primary education. Ireland has one of the highest educational attainment rates in the OECD, with 55% of 25-34 year olds...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: The Irish Survey of Student Engagement National Report 2020 was published in November, in partnership with the HEA, the IUA, THEA and the USI.  StudentSurvey.ie asks students directly about their experiences of higher education, including their academic, personal, and social development. In 2020, 44,707 students in 26 higher education institutions participated. For the purposes of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: The student numbers for all faculties during the academic year 2018/19 is contained in the attached excel spreadsheet. The Department of Education's STEM Education Policy Statement 2017–2026, published in November 2017, sets out the ambitious goals and actions required to achieve and improve the STEM education experience and outcomes for all learners from Early Years to Post...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Accommodation (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Conway-Walsh for raising this matter. I acknowledge it is an issue she has rightly pursued for some time. The short answer is that I have been informed that all universities are now offering refunds for university-owned accommodation. If the Deputy has individual instances where that is not the case, I ask that she bring them to the attention of my office and I will bring...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Accommodation (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy and will pursue the two specific issues she has raised and any individual cases that she wishes to bring to my attention. My view on this is the same as hers, namely, that in the case of college-owned accommodation, refunds should be issued. In fairness to our universities, I understand it has been a very challenging year for them but it has been an extremely challenging...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Accommodation (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: I have tried to provide a variety of ways to assist students and their families financially within the resources and levers available to me. I agree that any student accommodation provider that is not acting reasonably will not be forgotten by students and their families. People should reflect on that. Figures show that in Ireland, unlike other countries, approximately 38% of students...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Third Level Education (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Shanahan for his question. I acknowledge that we had a good meeting recently in regard to the south east and are due another one. I have not forgotten that. It is a priority for my Department to support higher education institutions in their critical role as drivers of social and economic development in their regions. Within this overall context, the creation of...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Third Level Education (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: Certainly not from me. I think Deputy Shanahan would be in favour of political patronage if it were to do with the south east, so there is a slight irony in that remark. My Department is working with both WIT and IT Carlow on a number of projects, including, as I said, the engineering, computing and general teaching building in WIT. It is the largest project in the entire country within...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Third Level Education (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: I am absolutely determined to deliver a technological university for the south east. It is key from an access to education point of view for Waterford and the south-east region. It is also a key driver of regional development and balanced regional development. It will be a game changer for the south east. As the Deputy knows, I have made a number of appointments and decisions in regard to...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Support Schemes (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for her question. In recognition of the challenges facing full-time third level students, the Government has approved once-off funding of €50 million to provide additional financial assistance in this academic year. The funding was provided in budget 2021 in recognition of the exceptional situation students have experienced due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Financial...