Results 36,821-36,840 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (21 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: It is a priority for my Department to support Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), including University College Cork (UCC) and Munster Technological University (MTU), in their critical role as drivers of social and economic development in their regions.  Funding for capital works is generally distributed through the HEA to HEIs in the form of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (21 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: In recent years, the Higher Education Authority has undertaken an extensive programme of work to address issues of gender inequality in higher education. In August 2020, I expanded the remit of the HEA’s Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality to cover all areas of equality, diversity and inclusion. As part of this extended remit, the HEA has been working with stakeholders to advance...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (19 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The Department of Justice and Equality adjudicates on a person's entitlement to remain in the State and on the stamp that is awarded where permission to remain is sanctioned. The granting of certain permissions to reside in the State conveys certain rights as provided for in legislation, including access to education in line with the rights of an Irish citizen. However some permissions...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (19 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy is available in the table below. The numbers provided are those recorded on the HEA's Student Records System (SRS) and refer to entrants to and graduates from mental health and psychiatric nursing courses. Year First Year Enrolments Graduates 2013/2014 227 2014/2015 ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (19 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy is available in the table below. The numbers provided are those recorded on the HEA's Student Records System (SRS) and refer to entrants to and graduates from honours degree programmes in radiography and radiation therapy. Year First Year Enrolments Graduates 2013/2014 56 ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (19 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The current number of student accommodation bed-spaces owned by each university and the Waterford Institute of Technology is available in the table below. The other Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities do not own any student accommodation at present. The data held by my Department does not specify location, and some of these bed spaces may not be located directly on campus....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Offices (19 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The procurement, purchase and rent of Government offices is the responsibility of Property Management Services in the Office of Public Works, which acts as an agent for all Government Departments and offices. The number, terms and cost of the leases is a matter for the OPW. I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has commenced moving headquarters into existing State owned...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Offices (19 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The renting and leasing of Government offices is the responsibility of Property Management Services in the Office of Public Works, which acts as the agent for Government departments and offices. The number, terms and cost of these leases is a matter for the OPW. I can confirm to the Deputy that office buildings occupied by department staff are all in use.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Budgets (19 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The Estimates for Public Services 2022 were published on 12 October 2021 as part of the Budget 2022 Expenditure report. High level details of the Higher Education programme (B) expenditure are outlined in the estimates. Full details on the allocation of resources across spending areas and within each programme will be detailed, as usual,  in the annual Revised Estimates Volume for the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Budgets (19 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The Estimates for Public Services 2022 were published on 12 October 2021 as part of the Budget 2022 Expenditure report. Details of the Enterprise Focused Higher Education allocation estimate are contained within the 'Estimate of Income and Expenditure of the National Training Fund’ and the estimate allocation is listed as €148,352,000. Full details on the allocation of resources...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (19 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: As part of Budget 2022, I have secured an additional €15m to enhance the existing financial supports under the Student Grant Scheme. For the academic year 2022/23 this will mean:- - An increase to all student grant maintenance payments, including the special rate of grant, of €200 per year which will benefit all students entitled to receive a maintenance Grant. There are...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (19 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: Text of PQ changed as agreed with Deputy's office to "the anticipated percentage split in the spending in each academic year 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 of the €35 million SUSI package announced as part of Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. As part of Budget 2022, I have secured an additional €15m/43% to enhance the existing financial supports under the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (19 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The total 2020/2021 allocation to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) was €18.2m. - This is made up of baseline core funding of €8.1m; - €1 million ring-fenced core funding for the support of part-time students who are lone parents or members of the other access target groups identified in the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education; - An additional...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (19 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: In 2020, a comprehensive package of financial supports from Government for the higher education and further education and training sectors was secured to mitigate the impact of Covid. This package included funding of €3m to underpin wellbeing and mental health and student services in our higher education institutions (HEIs) which was in addition to the €2m funding that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff (19 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: Gardeners and craft workers are employees of Higher Education Institutions. Employees have a number of industrial relation mechanisms available to them to address queries on employment matters, with either their employer or their union representatives. An issue has been brought to my Department's attention in relation to one particular university and I understand local mechanisms are being...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Research and Development (3 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: I thank the Senator for inviting me to the Chamber. I will begin as he did by remarking on the importance of yesterday's announcement of a technological university for the south east. I thank the Senator for his support and leadership on this matter. As chair of the cross-party group of Oireachtas Members from the south east, he convened Members from all political persuasions a number of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Research and Development (3 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: I am straddling a line between wanting to be transparent and helpful and respecting my constitutional obligations. Let me say this - I am recognising on the floor of the Seanad that the structures that are in place need to evolve and change. I am certainly not saying that the status quoshould continue. There needs to be an evolution of the structures. The world is a different place than it...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Technological Universities (3 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Cummins for his work, leadership and dedication in delivering this project, along with his colleagues across the south east. I know this is an issue that he has personally prioritised and given a lot of time to. I hate to think of the conversation we would be having had we not got to this point, considering the degree to which the Senator banged on my door to ensure...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Technological Universities (3 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: My comments on the HQ are as they are but the bigger win and the bigger prize here for Waterford and the south east is the establishment of a technological university, the status that will bring to the region, the opportunities that will provide for increasing foreign direct investment, capital investment, research funding, international recognition and becoming a catalyst in a region that...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Technological Universities (3 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: I thank the Acting Chairperson.