Results 36,661-36,680 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: My Department has received the 2022 Budget submission from the Technological Higher Education Association, and are considering the submission as part of the NDP Review and Estimates process.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: Under the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is available to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the terms and conditions of funding, including those relating to residency, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for SUSI to determine. For the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: The timing of the Leaving Certificate results is a matter for the Minister for Education, and I understand the Deputy has put a similar question to Minister Foley. In respect of engagement with UCAS, my officials have been engaged with the UK side since January 2021 in order to ensure the interests of Irish students are represented and considered, and that the relevant UK authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (22 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 147, 148 and 153 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 15th June. The Safe Return Plan can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bcd91-a-safe-return-to-on-site-fur ther-and-higher-education-and-research/ The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cybersecurity Policy (22 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: My Department implements multiple Cybersecurity protocols and measures including 24X7 IT Security Monitoring, User Awareness, Perimeter Security, Anti-virus/Anti-Malware, Email and Web filtering, System Patching, Risk Management, Policies, Regular Vulnerability Assessments/Penetration Testing, Mobile Device Management, Access Management, Incident Management, Event Monitoring, Information...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Flexible Work Practices (22 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: Staff of my department have been working in line with Government COVID-19 guidance, which had provided for home working to continue where possible with the exception of roles where the nature of the work did not lend itself to remote working. Following the Taoiseach's announcement on the 1st of September, my department is now in the process of introducing a phased return to the workplace. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Flexible Work Practices (22 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: The information sought in relation to the aegis bodies under the remit of my Department is not held by my Department. Contact details for the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department are set out in the attached document, should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query. Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (22 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: Universities and Institutes of Technology 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. Neither I nor my Department have a role in the operation of the CAO....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (22 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: The Deputy will be aware that Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies and admissions to third level courses is a matter for the institutions concerned and not for my Department to intervene.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (22 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: 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: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bcd91-a-safe-return-to-on-site-fur ther-and-higher-education-and-research/ The plan, which emerged following extensive discussions between...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (22 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: 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: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bcd91-a-safe-return-to-on-site-fur ther-and-higher-education-and-research/ The plan, which emerged following extensive and productive discussions...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (23 Sep 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 responsible for the assessment of student applications to study and responsible for determining the appropriate fee rates payable by a student. In this regard my department does not have a role in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Tests (23 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: The Government’s intention 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 the potential role of rapid antigen testing as one part of a package of surveillance and vigilance measures that could also include self-monitoring...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (23 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: The Interdepartmental Working Group on Student Accommodation last met on 30th June. The key issues discussed were the progress made on actions outlined in the National Student Accommodation Strategy, and a discussion of the planned Residential Tenancies (No.2) Act and its impact on student accommodation. The Act was subsequently passed on July 9th. It restricts the up-front payments...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (23 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: The National Student Accommodation Strategy is designed to ensure that there is an increased level of supply of purpose built student accommodation to reduce the demand for accommodation in the private rental sector by both domestic and international students attending our Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Several of the actions in this strategy centre around ensuring that HEIs have...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: The Higher Education Authority (HEA) collects statistical data on the number of medical students in the higher education institutions. The HEA does not collect data on the various disciplines that they are studying. The following tables shows the numbers of first year medical enrolments for the most recent academic years, broken down by domicile group. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research and Development (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: I would welcome strong engagement by Northern Ireland with Horizon Europe. InterTradeIreland supports North/South collaboration between researchers and innovators on the Framework Programmes.  My Department continues to work closely with InterTradeIreland to facilitate collaborative opportunities which will arise from Horizon Europe. All aspects of the UK’s association to the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Harris: Universities and Institutes of Technology 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. Neither I nor my Department have a role in the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (5 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: Strategic Performance Agreements between SOLAS and each of the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs), set out Further Education and Training (FET) direction and commitments over a three year period, including each ETB’s contribution to national FET system targets. The agreements stipulate how ETBs will deliver on national policy and strategies while reflecting the evolving social and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Accommodation (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for her kind wishes, which I sincerely appreciate. I thank her also for raising this extremely important issue. At the outset, while it is a statement of the obvious, it is important to say that a lot of the issues affecting students are part of the broader housing challenges that we face as a society, and these are challenges the Government is committed to resolving....