Results 37,401-37,420 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Schemes (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: Under the Student Grant 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 (SAF). The SAF provides...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Reviews (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: I am happy to give an update on the review of the Student Grant Scheme. This was a very important commitment in the Programme for Government, which will help shape decision-making on how we support students over the years to come. Following a procurement process, the review was undertaken by Indecon Economic Consultants, under the guidance of a steering group which included student and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: Apprenticeships are employer led demand driven educational and training programmes, which aim to develop the skills of an apprentice in order to meet the needs of industry and the labour market. As apprentices are employees, the demand for and number of apprentices is primarily dictated by the employers in any area or sector. The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021 – 2025 requires...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 531, 532, 533, 534, 535, 536, 537, 538, 539 and 541 together. I propose to take PQs 6749, 6750, 6751, 6752, 6753, 6754, 6755, 6756, 6757 and 6759 together. The challenge to ensure a well-qualified labour force to meet the demands of the economy is a fundamental focus for my Department across the entire skills system, including tertiary - composed of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Bullying in Educational Institutions (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: Our higher education institutions have a duty of care to their students and staff, and a responsibility to foster a campus culture that is clear in the condemnation of unwanted and unacceptable behaviours, which act as barriers to their safety and their active participation in college life. As part of the Framework for Consent, institutions must report incidents of Bullying, Harassment,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (10 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006, and the Technological Universities Act 2018. As such they are autonomous in relation to their administrative and academic affairs, and the courses offered by any institution, and the level at which they are offered, are a matter for the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (10 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: My department has recently published a number of policy documents which articulate policy responses for key groups, including persons with disabilities. The Further Education and Training Strategy 2020-2024 includes plans to target priority groups who have diverse needs, such as people with disabilities. The 10 year Adult Literacy for Life Strategy (2021-30), which was launched last...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Sector Staff (10 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: I can confirm that there are no civil servants employed by the Further and Higher Education; Research; Innovation and Science in county Wexford. The following tabular statement gives details of civil servants employed by aegis bodies under the remit of my Department. Department Office Location No. Skillnet Ireland Wexford 2

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Sustainable Development Goals (10 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: A renewed focus is currently being given to progress Ireland’s commitment to Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. Substantial progress has been achieved in recent months in respect of reviewing Ireland’s implementation of Agenda 2030 and identifying key priorities and actions for inclusion in the next National Implementation Plan. It is intended that the draft Plan will be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Electric Vehicles (10 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: can confirm to the Deputy that my Department commenced moving headquarters into existing State owned office space in September 2021. In the past week the Office of Public Works assigned 10 car parking spaces to my Department based on square footage and occupancy rates. Of these 10 spaces, none are currently equipped with electric vehicle charging points.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (15 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 547 together. Apprenticeship is a work based learning opportunity. It is an employer-led offering based on a contract of employment between the apprentice and their respective employer. It incorporates a minimum of 50% on-the-job training with off-the-job training which is delivered in a number of different ways according to the apprenticeship...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Defective Building Materials (15 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware responsibility for the build environment in the further and higher education sectors in Donegal lies with Donegal ETB and Letterkenny IT respectively. My Department has not been informed by the further and higher education providers in question of any checks for mica or of the presence of mica in buildings in the sector.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (15 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: Under the Further Education and Training Act (2013), SOLAS has statutory responsibility for planning, funding, and co-ordinating Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland. My Departments officials have engaged with SOLAS on behalf of Deputy Moynihan and have requested SOLAS to engage directly the Deputy in regard to this person's case.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Institutes of Technology (15 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: Under the Regional Technical Colleges Act 1992, as amended by the Institutes of Technology Act 2006, the responsibility for appointing the President of an Institute of Technology (IoT) lies with the Governing Body of the relevant IoT. This legislative function of the Governing Body requires that appointments of Presidents are made in accordance with procedures, including the composition...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (15 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025, sets a target of 10,000 annual apprentice registrations by 2025. In 2021 there were a record 8,607 registrations- up from 6,177 for 2019, the last pre-COVID full year, and the highest annual registrations since the 2006 figure of 8,306. The Government is committed under the Action Plan to working with employers to promote, enable and support the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Tax Reliefs (15 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: Section 473A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 set out the conditions for tax relief on tuition fees for higher education. As the Deputy will appreciate, while the operation of the student grant scheme support measures for third level students is a function of this Department, the disregard amount referenced is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. Further information on the current tax...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (16 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: Last year, Government approved the development of a licensing model for individuals working on certain construction and quarrying related activities, replacing the existing construction and quarrying skills certification schemes. Government also approved the drafting of the general scheme of a bill to establish the model.  Work is underway on this, with a stakeholder...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (16 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: The site referred to by the Deputy was purchased in 2018 by Laois Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB).  Prior to purchase the site was leased by Board na Móna to FÁS from February 2008 at an annual cost of €10,000. FÁS expended €7.969m erecting and equipping buildings on the site mentioned for training purposes. The buildings and equipment transferred...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (16 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science was established in June 2020. The tables below detail all spending on foreign travel by the department from the establishment of the department to date. Minister Simon Harris 2021 France (Paris)/Belgium (Brussels) €3,856.81 2021 Northern Ireland (Derry)...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (16 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: The data requested by the Deputy is outlined in the table below, broken down by Higher Education Institution, course and year. HEI /  Course 2018 2019 2020 2021 National University of Ireland, Galway 25 23 22 32 Bachelor of Science (Speech and Language Therapy) 25 23 ...