Results 35,481-35,500 of 46,522 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 594 and 595 together. In considering this issue, it is important to note that the State currently provides very substantial financial support to undergraduate students in higher education towards the cost of their studies. This support has played a very significant role in facilitating access to and growth in higher education. What was previously the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Local Authority Funding (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: Prior to the establishment of Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), the Student Grant Scheme was administered by the Educational Training Boards and Local Authorities. Undergraduate students whose application for student grant commenced with the Local authorities prior to 2012 remain with the Local authority. The local authorities continue to process renewal applications on a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are governed by the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technologies Acts 1992 to 2006 and the Technological Universities Act 2018. Within the meaning of these Acts, HEIs are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs including dealing with policy and procedure in relation to fee collection. My...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: At present, the Level 5 measures designate higher and further education as essential insofar as onsite presence is required for education activities that cannot be held remotely. In overall terms, the sectors have rapidly adjusted to a more restrictive environment again, with all further and higher education institutions conducting the vast majority of their provision online. The balance...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 599, 602, 605, 606, 607, 610 and 611 together. I am aware that issues have arisen in relation to placement hours both for students of Social Care programmes and for placements more generally as the restrictions to combat the spread of Covid-19 have tightened. My Department is monitoring developments in this regard very closely. From the onset of the Covid-19...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: Universities and Institutes of Technology are autonomous and determine their own procedures for admission. The CAO process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on their behalf. Decisions on admissions are made by the higher education institutions who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. Therefore neither I nor my Department have a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Support Schemes (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: The HPAT is independently administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) on behalf of the universities’ medical schools and the RCSI. The selection criteria and process for admission to medical schools is a matter for those institutions in line with their statutory autonomy in relation to academic affairs. Neither I nor my Department have a role in the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Traveller Education (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: Dormant accounts funding of €300,000 was approved in 2021 for targeted supports to address the Implications of COVID-19 for Traveller transfer to and progression within Higher Education. Consultations have commenced between officials in my Department, the Higher Education Authority, Traveller representative groups and representatives from the Higher Education Institutions on the best...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Health and Social Care Professionals (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: In considering the issue of fees, it is important to note that the State currently provides very substantial financial support to undergraduate students in higher education towards the cost of their studies. This support has played a very significant role in facilitating access to and growth in higher education. What was previously the preserve of a relatively small proportion of the school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: The Department is closely monitoring the budgetary impacts of Covid-19, in close engagement with my Department’s agencies and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The Government has already implemented a range of supports for students and for the further and higher education sector in recognition of the impacts of Covid-19. In July 2020 approved a comprehensive package...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Support Schemes (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: My Department does not have a role in tuition fee arrangements or the placement of students enrolled on these courses. During the course of the programme, students are required to undertake placement in different services, including the National Educational Psychological Service and the Health Service Executive. The placement arrangements and conditions are a matter between the higher...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Disability Act Employment Targets (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: Part V of the Disability Act 2005 requires that public bodies promote and support the employment of people with disabilities and ensure that 3% of staff employed by them are people with disabilities. The requirement applies to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Resource, Innovation and Science and certain of its aegis bodies. My Department which was established on 23 July...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Appointments to State Boards (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 615 and 616 together. The details sought by the Deputy are available in the attached tables. As the Deputy will be aware Board appointments while made by me as Minister, are not in all cases made at my discretion. Individuals may be nominated for appointment by various organisations arising from the terms in the relevant legislation regarding the Body...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (28 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: The employment status of the individual referred to by the Deputy is a matter for the relevant higher education insitution as the employer and it is therefore not appropriate for me to comment on the position.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (28 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 196 together. I appreciate that this is a time of considerable stress and concern for third level students and the challenging and stressful circumstances that students are facing are being taken into account by Higher Education institutions as they adapt and respond to the changing situation. This includes the consideration of issues around work...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (28 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: The fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety factors including the type of course and the student's access route including previous education. Higher education institutions are autonomous institutions as provided for in legislation. The determination, as to the total level of fees to be charged for postgraduate course is a matter for each institution in accordance with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (28 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: Matters relating to the introduction of a scheme to provide for tuition fee funding to students in return for future clinical years in the HSE is matter for the Department of Health. It is important to reflect upon the supports provided to students and the basis of the fees charged by institutions. The fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety factors including the type of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Support Schemes (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students, financial assistance will be provided in academic year 2020/21 to all students who avail of SUSI grants and to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the state.  The scheme will ensure students; - Who avail of the SUSI grant will...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: I am conscious that students will wish for clarity as soon as possible in regard to the format of the 2021-2022 academic year. However given the evolving public health situation it is not possible at this time to provide any concrete information on what the new academic year may look like. I would encourage students to engage with their higher education institution regarding their plans...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Retention Rates (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 521 together. My Department is acutely aware of the additional challenges faced by students as a result of Covid-19, and is conscious that this could have the potential to impact on progression rates, particularly for first year students. We are engaging regularly with the sector to understand how the student experience is being impacted as the...