Results 37,221-37,240 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (19 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: Under the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025, the Government has set an overall target of 10,000 new apprenticeship registrations per annum by 2025. The number of apprenticeship places across the public service will also grow to reach 750 new apprentices every year by 2025. This represents in excess of a seven-fold increase on 2020 registrations and will support a long-term goal of 7%...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Contracts (19 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science was formed in 2020.  Since its formation the following client and or customer-facing and or orientated services were provided via a contracted service provider. Service Provided Provider Amount € Active Years Grant supporting delivery of a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (19 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: I would like to thank the Deputy for raising the very important issue of combatting bullying and sexual harassment in our third level institutions and the use of non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements in third-level education institutions. No country or institution is immune to the occurrence of sexual harassment. It can happen to anyone and it can happen anywhere. We know that sexual...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Early School Leavers (19 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1171, 1172, 1173 and 1174 together. Kerry Education Training Board currently operates the Youthreach Programmes in four Youthreach Centres and one Community Training Centre. The numbers of Youthreach learners registered in County Kerry from 2018 to 2021 is as follows: Centre 2018 2019 2020 2021 ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Sector Staff (19 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1175, 1176 and 1177 together. While there are no Higher Education Institutions headquartered in County Clare, my Department has been informed by TU Shannon (formerly Limerick Institute of Technology) that it has a campus in Ennis since 2019. Information provided to my officials notes that TU Shannon staff are not primarily based in this campus but conduct a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: In the context of the shift to online teaching and learning that has arisen from the public health restrictions, it is a significant priority for me to provide support to students to facilitate connectivity, and to examine options designed to seek to minimise the extent to which connectivity challenges act as a barrier to full participation in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: Under the scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved full-time course at an approved institution. Part-time courses are not eligible for support under the scheme. However, part-time students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. The Student Assistance Fund (SAF)...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (25 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: Tackling sexual violence and harassment in our tertiary education system is and will remain, a key policy focus for me and my Department. Since I have been appointed, we have made some important changes. In August 2020, I wrote to all publicly funded HEIs outlining my commitment to tackling sexual violence and harassment in higher education and requesting a number of actions in this area,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Mobility (25 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: I have been concerned at the pattern of student flows between Ireland and Northern Ireland, particularly in recent times. While the Memorandum of Understanding on Education Principles under the Common Travel Area has provided a framework to facilitate mobility, through the maintenance of current fee structures and access to student finance, I would like to see the trends in both directions...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (25 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: Since 2019, around €1m has been allocated by DFHERIS and the HEA to support projects in this area. Funding is provided to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) - Centre of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in 2021 and 2022, for oversight of work in this area, as part of the HEA grant allocation. My Department has also collaborated with the Department of Justice on a dormant accounts...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Staff (25 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: In accordance with the terms of the Guidelines for Ministerial Appointments for the 33rdDáil, as published by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform, I have two civilian drivers to assist me in carrying out my ministerial duties. The Minister of State in my Department also has two civilian drivers. The drivers are in receipt of a salary in line with the relevant pay...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (26 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: University College Dublin is an autonomous body within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997and is entitled to regulate its own academic and administrative affairs. The publication of this research is a matter for UCD and Dr. Augustenborg and I would advise the Deputy to contact them directly in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (26 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: The principal support provided by the Department in financial terms is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the terms of the 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 and means. The decision on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (26 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: I refer the Deputy to the data collated by SOLAS on the number of students from Northern Ireland that are enrolled in further education in Ireland for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020. - 2018 2019 2020 Number of Enrolments: 178 300 14

Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Second Stage (26 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am very pleased to have this opportunity to address the House on Second Stage of the Higher Education Authority Bill 2022. Last year was the first full year of operation for the new Department and, before I speak to the House on the specifics of this legislation, I will take the opportunity to thank and commend the students and staff...

Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: I was delighted to begin the introduction of this legislation in the House last night before the House adjourned for the evening. I believe this is important legislation for reforming and modernising how we govern the higher education sector. It needs to be seen alongside a broader programme of reform of the Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, student grant scheme, reducing the cost of...

Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: We are on track for 1 May and I commit to that meeting.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: The principal funding source for students with disabilities including dyslexia or those with sight loss in further and higher education is the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD). The purpose of the Fund is to provide funding to higher and further education institutions to assist them in offering supports and services to eligible students with disabilities so that they can participate...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: There have been no direct polls undertaken by the Department from 1 January 2021 to date. Three public consultations were conducted by, or for, my Department in this time period: - A public consultation was carried out in February 2021 on the reform of the Higher Education Authority Act 1971. A consultation paper was prepared and published on 19 February, 2021 seeking the up to date views of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Museum Projects (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: Since it opened in 2008, the Science Gallery has been a popular visitor attraction and strengthened the appreciation of science especially among young people. My Department and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media remain in contact with the Provost and management at Trinity College Dublin since TCD’s initial announcement regarding the Science Gallery. ...