Results 35,521-35,540 of 46,522 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Higher Education Institutions (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: The strategic initiatives to which the Deputy refers, form part of the funding envelop for the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) and will support the overall development of disability services in higher education institutions. The process by which the funding was allocated involved a call for proposals from HEIs who had available FSD funding which they wished to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: In accordance with Memorandum of Understanding on the Common Travel Area, which was signed in 2019 by the Irish and UK Governments, Irish students will not be liable for international fees should they choose to study in the UK. The fees charged will be in line with the 'home' fees paid by UK nationals, which is up to £4,375 in the case of those studying in Northern Ireland and up to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: 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 pandemic, significant work has been undertaken by a stakeholder group chaired by...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: The decision on eligibility for student grant assistance is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.  A student grant may continue to be paid where a student is required to participate in a placement as a compulsory part of an approved undergraduate or postgraduate...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment/progression and means. To satisfy the terms and conditions of the Scheme in relation to progression, a student must be moving...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 160, 161 and 162 together. The challenge to deliver suitably qualified and adequate numbers of graduates to meet the demands of the workplace is a fundamental focus for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. It is also fundamental that we drive vibrant higher and further education sectors in Ireland which produce...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 163, 164, 166 and 167 together. From pre-primary through to further and higher education and throughout an individual’s career, skills and knowledge need to be continuously enhanced if individuals, employers and countries are to realise their potential. The expansion of higher education has been a key enabling factor in the growth of the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research and Development (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: A vibrant enterprise sector is a prerequisite for a strong, advanced economy, and a strong economy in turn provides the foundation for a progressive, sustainable and inclusive society. The enterprise sector provides quality employment which is important for our standard of living and inclusivity. The enterprise sector is hugely important in driving innovation in this country. Almost 75%...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 to 171, inclusive, together. The expansion of higher education has been a key enabling factor in the growth of the Irish economy, and the availability and quality of graduates is essential if we are to maintain our attractiveness as a location for investment and grow our reputation. There are a number of key strategies in place at all levels to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: The Government has agreed that Level 5 as set out in the Plan for Living with COVID-19 will apply nationally and will remain in place until midnight on 5 March 2021. Level 5 measures designate higher and further education as essential insofar as onsite presence is required and such education activities cannot be held remotely. On 6th January I confirmed that further and higher education will...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Institutes of Technology (8 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: I thank the Senator for raising these matters with me and indeed for doing so consistently over recent weeks and months. Certainly, a week has not gone by when we have not engaged on this at least two or three times and I thank him for his commitment. We have a shared desire to rectify a wrong whereby the south east is the only region in our country not to have a university. The lack of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Institutes of Technology (8 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: What the Senator has suggested sounds entirely logical to me. This decision, obviously, will be made by the TU governing authority but as I have said clearly, the speculation around Kilkenny is baseless and idle. It is misinformed, unhelpful and potentially divisive at a crucial moment for this project. There have been many false dawns for this university in the south east. I am refusing...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to address the Seanad today, and also for her comments on this matter a number of months ago. They did have an impact and I acknowledge her leadership in recognising this untapped potential.There has been too much of the public sector talking the talk and expecting the private sector to walk the walk. We need to step up here....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: I hope the Senator and I have many chances to engage. She made a point about how we attract young people, be they male, female or even not-so-young individuals. One of the projects I am working relates to reform of the Central Applications Office. In this country, we narrow the discussion about the full range of options far too early. In my home town, the conversation is often whether...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: In the Programme for Government ‘Our Shared Future’, there is a commitment to develop a 10-year strategy for adult literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy. I have asked SOLAS to lead on its development. This new strategy will provide a framework to build on and streamline the substantial work that is already being done across a range of Departments and agencies, to increase...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 577 and 582 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 pandemic,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: In response to the combined demographic and funding challenge, the then Minister for Education and Skills appointed an Expert Group to identify and consider issues related to the long term sustainable funding of higher education in Ireland and to identify funding options for the future. The expert group report, Investing in National Ambition: A Strategy for Funding Higher Education”...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: 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 on-site access for practical work for students. The national...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: The development and progression of technological universities is an established policy objective of Government in the context of overarching national strategy on higher education landscape restructuring and this is underscored in the commitment in the current Programme for Government. Under the statutory framework provided in the Technological Universities Act 2018, two or more IoTs may...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Science Foundation Ireland (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: The following positions are vacant at Science Foundation Ireland: No. of vacancies Title Length of time post vacant Estimated full year cost 1 Grants Compliance Manager Advertised 4th February, 2021 €76,638 1 Partnership Programme Manager Advertised 27th January, 2021 ...