Results 36,201-36,220 of 46,522 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (16 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: The intention of Government is to strengthen the prevention and intervention measures around COVID-19 in response to the changing context including surveillance, track and trace, and potential use of new technology. My Department recognises that as one part of a package of surveillance and vigilance measures, including other public health non-pharmaceutical interventions, there is a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (16 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: Following Government approval, I have published A Safe Return: Plan for a safe return to on-site Further and Higher Education and Research in 2021/22. The Safe Return Plan can be accessed here: The Plan reflects the essential nature of higher and further education and training, and research activities, and in that context, provides for comprehensive on-site activity for the next academic...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (16 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: In March 2020, my Department established a distinct Working Group with key stakeholders for the English Language Education (ELE) sector to manage the significant impact of the pandemic on ELE. This Working Group is comprised of the sectoral representatives of students, staff and providers alongside representatives of relevant Government Departments such as the Department of Justice, the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Scientific Research (16 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: Based on the most recent indications received from CERN, the cost of Ireland’s full membership at current prices would be circa €13.2 million annually. In addition to the annual full membership cost there is a ‘special contribution’ fee calculated as 1.25 times the cost of the full membership fee. Based on a cost of €13.2 million this would amount to a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (16 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: Adult literacy provision is delivered through a number of dedicated programmes including adult literacy groups and intensive tuition in adult basic education. One of the strategic priorities of the FET Strategy 2020-2024 is fostering inclusion with particular focus on literacy and numeracy supports to ensure the needs of learners are met. The funding allocated in 2021 for literacy, numeracy,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Electric Vehicles (16 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department does not lease or own any vehicles including both electric or hybrid.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 366, 376 and 381 together. Legislation was brought in in 2019 to ensure that students would have the same affordability measures as tenants within Rent Pressure Zones. I am aware of the increases in UCD accommodation fees for the 2021 academic year and I am disappointed that UCD has sought to increase prices for students during the midst of a public health...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: Following Government approval, I have published A Safe Return: Plan for a safe return to on-site Further and Higher Education and Research in 2021/22. The Safe Return Plan can be accessed here: The Plan reflects the essential nature of higher and further education and training, and research activities, and in that context, provides for comprehensive on-site activity for the next academic...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: I am aware of the high number of CAO applications this year, and officials from my Department are engaging regularly with representatives from the higher education sector in relation to the 2021/22 academic year and demand for places. €18 million has been provided in Budget 2021 which will build additional capacity in the system and address demographic growth pressures. This is in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: Universities are autonomous institutions within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997 and have autonomy in relation to human resource policies, subject to compliance with Government policy in respect of employment numbers and pay policy, and are not under the direct control of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. With regards to the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Language Schools (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: In March 2020, my Department established a distinct Working Group with key stakeholders for the English Language Education (ELE) sector to manage the significant impact of the pandemic on ELE. This Working Group is comprised of the sectoral representatives of students, staff and providers alongside representatives of relevant Government Departments such as the Department of Justice, the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: Officials of my Department have been in touch with their counterparts in Scotland, who have confirmed that programme fees for the Graduate Entry Programme in Medicine is the same for Irish and the UK students (other than those from Scotland). However, I do understand that UK students are entitled to a bursary from the National Health Service, which amounts to £3,715, and this may...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: The main support available to assist students with the cost of higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. Students attending approved undergraduate courses in Northern Ireland can apply for a maintenance grant provided they meet the terms and conditions of the Student Grant Scheme. There is also a special derogation contained within the Student Support Act 2011 which provides supports...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 373 and 374 together. My department has spent €39, 385.62 on social media advertising and €19, 236.70 on social media content creation in the timeframe outlined. My department does not hold records on social media advertising spend by agencies.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: My department has not incurred any costs on public relations consultancy since January 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Examinations (17 Jun 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 CAO process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on behalf of the Universities, Technological Universities and Institutes of Technology, in line with their institutional autonomy in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Climate Action Plan (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has a number of actions under the Interim Climate Action Plan. Action 14: Strengthen our delivery of public funding for basic and applied research to underpin government policy, meet our decarbonisation objectives and open up new economic opportunities - My Department has recently launched its consultation on the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Policies (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science was founded in August 2020. My Department has achieved a number of key policy initiatives since its establishment which are helping to transform the landscape for tertiary education and for research and innovation in Ireland, providing a foundation for a leading knowledge-driven economy...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Equality Issues (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: Inclusion is one of the core strategic goals for my Department, and my ambition is to ensure that we provide supports and opportunities for learning to all, recognising the needs of vulnerable learners and the most marginalised, and to assist people in access to and progression through higher and further education and training. A range of supports and measures are in place, which include the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Schemes (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: The student maintenance grant is a contribution towards the living costs of a student. It is not intended to cover the full costs of attending college. The student grant scheme does however, provide for different levels of maintenance support, depending on means. Grants are also provided at adjacent and non-adjacent rates. The higher non-adjacent rates are intended to provide additional...