Results 36,621-36,640 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Oideachas Tríú Leibhéal (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: Is institiúidí féinrialaitheacha iad Ollscoileanna agus Institiúidí Teicneolaíochta agus cinneann siad a gcuid nósanna imeachta féin le haghaidh iontrála. Próiseálann an Lár-Oifig Iontrála (CAO) iarratais le haghaidh cúrsaí fochéime, agus le haghaidh roinnt cúrsaí iarchéime ar a son. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: I am very aware of the ongoing shortage of accommodation facing students, and I have been made aware that a number of purpose-built student accommodation developments have been given temporary permission to use a portion of their rooms for short-term visitor and tourist accommodation. The National Student Accommodation Strategy (NSAS) was published in 2017 and is designed to relieve the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 518 and 519 together. In recognition of the particular circumstances faced by students this year, my Department worked with the HEA and the Higher Education Institutions to identify where additional places could be provided in the higher education system. As a result of this, together with the additional places created under the Human Capital Initiative,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy is not available to my Department. 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 function in relation to the operation of the CAO, and data on offers for any specific course is held by the CAO and the relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy is not yet available to my Department. The HEA publishes reports on progression rates of first year students in HEA-funded institutions. The most recent publication covers first year progression rates from 2015/16 into 2016/17, and 2016/17 into 2017/18. The analysis covering 2017/18 into 2018/2019 and 2018/2019 into 2019/2020 is currently being drafted...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Process (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: There has been one Bill prepared by my Department since June 27th 2020. Government approval was received for the General Scheme of a Bill to replace the Higher Education Authority Act 1971 on 4 May 2021. A Regulatory Impact Assessment was undertaken and submitted to Government with the Memorandum for Government seeking approval for the General Scheme. The General Scheme of the Bill is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: The Deputy will be aware that the HEAR and DARE schemes are reduced points mechanisms for entry into higher education. Both schemes are managed and operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) on behalf of the higher education institutions who are autonomous bodies. Admissions under the schemes are regulated by the higher education institutions themselves. Each institution determines...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (15 Sep 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. This means recognising the needs of vulnerable learners, the most marginalised and those with special and additional needs, and assisting people in accessing and progressing through higher and further education and training. There...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 525, 526 and 528 together. Following Government approval, I published A Safe Return: Plan for a safe return to on-site Further and Higher Education and Research in 2021/22 on June 15th. The Safe Return Plan can be accessed at the following link: The plan, which emerged following extensive discussions between university representatives, public health and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: Under the Prompt Payment Act 1997, Prompt Payment Interest (hereafter “PPI”) is applied to valid invoices which are not processed within 30 days of receipt. These regulations: - Apply to commercial transactions in both the public and private sectors, - Outline the statutory rate of interest applicable (currently 8% plus the applicable ECB rate), and - Detail the compensation...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Bodies (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: The complex nature of the student grant scheme means that there is a risk that some students receive grant payments for which they are not eligible, including for reasons beyond the direct control of SUSI. To mitigate the risk of overpayments, SUSI implements procedural and system-based controls within its application assessment and grant payment operations. A highly developed quality...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: I do not wish to be in any way disorderly, but yesterday I was named in this House in my unavoidable absence. What was said, in my view, was a misuse of Dáil privilege and I want the record of this House to show that it is untrue.

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

Simon Harris: The Human Capital Initiative (HCI) was announced as part of Budget 2019. The HCI provides additional capacity across the Higher Education Sector to meet priority skill needs for enterprise, representing an additional investment of €300m (€60m per annum from 2020 to 2024) from the surplus in the NTF in line with recommendations contained in the independent review of the NTF on...

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

Simon Harris: The Human Capital Initiative (HCI) was announced as part of Budget 2019. The HCI provides additional capacity across the Higher Education Sector to meet priority skill needs for enterprise, representing an additional investment of €300m (€60m per annum from 2020 to 2024) from the surplus in the NTF in line with recommendations contained in the independent review of the NTF on...

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

Simon Harris: The safety and welfare of employees and the minimisation of the impact of COVID-19 in the workplace are important principles in the management of COVID-19. The Government published the ‘Work Safely Protocol’ in November 2020. It incorporates advice and guidance on the public health measures needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace as issued by...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (16 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: Craft apprenticeship training has been adversely impacted by the pandemic, with training centres that provide the practical training to apprentices in their off-the-job phase closed for significant periods of time to adhere to public health guidance. When centres were allowed to reopen they did so only at 50-60% capacity due to social distancing measures which have been in place. However...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (16 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: That attached table represents an analysis of 2,484 apprentices who have qualified in their craft apprenticeship over the past five years, by reviewing start and end dates. The average duration is provided by programme, with the exception of the Electronic Security Systems programme as this programme has a substantial number of apprentices who, because of their industry experience, have been...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research Funding (16 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: The requested information is drawn from the Higher Education Research & Development (HERD) survey,  The survey is conducted every two years within higher education institutions and measures expenditure and human resources devoted to research and development work in the higher education sector. The coverage includes all academic departments in seven Universities, fourteen...

Seanad: Bullying and Sexual Harassment in Third Level Institutions: Motion (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: I thank the Cathaoirleach for inviting me in to be part of the inaugural debate under these new structures. As a Minister who gets invited into Seanad Éireann to speak in debates, it is better to speak after hearing everybody's contribution. It is not for me to advise Seanad Éireann on its business, but it is a more informative way of approaching these matters. It has been an...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: Persons seeking to become registered apprentices must meet specified criteria in relation to educational attainment and other areas. For a number of specified occupations, the registration criteria also includes a requirement to successfully pass a colour vision test. The list of apprenticeships to which this requirement applies is set out below. - Aircraft Mechanics - Electrical -...