Results 38,641-38,660 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Gender Balance (7 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: The Higher Education Authority collects gender disaggregated staff data from Irish higher education institutions (HEIs) that are in receipt of annual core-grant funding. This data is collated in the Higher Education Institutional Staff Profiles by Gender, which provide information on key indicators which contribute to the assessment of gender equality in Irish HEIs and offer a valuable...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (7 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: My Department is not aware of any education providers or other institutions that are seeking to become higher education providers at this time. Further Education and Training providers can apply for QQI validation if they wish to offer HE awards, we are currently unaware of any applications for QQI validation. The strategic positioning on the higher education landscape of existing...

Confidence in Government: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is trying to dissolve the Dáil.

Confidence in Government: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: It is an elongated way of getting to the sound bite.

Confidence in Government: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: Why did they not form a Government?

Confidence in Government: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: They did not have the numbers.

Confidence in Government: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: Let her finish. We would like to hear it. We might hear the plan.

Confidence in Government: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: Time for a trip to Australia.

Confidence in Government: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: Send them our best in Australia. Tell them we are asking for them down under, at €3,000 a dinner.

Confidence in Government: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: The reason we are describing this as an exercise in cynicism is as follows. There was a legitimate debate in the House a couple of weeks ago as to when we should have the budget and on the size of the budget package. The Government responded, moved the date of the budget forward and will now deliver a budget package bigger than previously planned. However, instead of now allowing the...

Confidence in Government: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: Cheaper shoes.

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Report Stage (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: I thank Senators for engaging. I join with Senator Malcolm Byrne in thanking my officials for also engaging. There has been engagement between Committee and Report Stages. I acknowledge the good faith with which Senators have engaged and thank them for it. This is an issue we have been grappling with, particularly in view of the fact that the purpose of the Bill is to strengthen the role...

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Report Stage (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: That is partially the case. It is our view, based on the legal advice we have, that the definition to be inserted in this legislation is too narrow compared with the existing definition. As the Senator will be aware, the Universities Act, the Technological Universities Act, the National College of Art and Design Act and the Institutes of Technology Act will travel with this legislation and...

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Report Stage (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: I thank the Senator. I got the distinct impression in the other House when we made additions to the legislation in relation to environmental sustainability and climate that there was a view we had strengthened the legislation. I do not generally name-check colleagues but Deputy Ó Cathasaigh did significant work on this on Committee Stage to get it to a better place than I concede it...

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: That was a lengthy list of amendments. I thank the Senators for taking me through the amendments. I will start on research while it is fresh in my mind. I have announced our intention to bring forward a research Bill close to January 2023. That will be a really important opportunity. It will be the first time that the State will introduce stand-alone legislation relating to research....

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: I assure Senator Craughwell that one of the great strengths of our sector is that there is regular, open, critical comment and dissenting views. It is one of the very healthy things about higher education and the university sector. Whether one is a university president, trade union representative or student union representative, it is a very can-do and collaborative sector, but it is also...

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: That is true.

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: I note Senator Higgins has removed amendment No. 55. I fully agree with her on the principle of using the Public Appointments Service. It is used already in respect of the board and it will be used in the future. It is the policy intent to use it. We just do not believe it is appropriate to put the Public Appointments Service, PAS, into primary legislation. Processes can evolve and names...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: My Department's officials have engaged with SOLAS on this issue and have been informed that currently, a SOLAS statutory apprenticeship requires that in certain designated crafts, apprenticeship applicants must pass the Ishihara colour vision test. SOLAS are continually reviewing the existing statutory apprenticeships and the matter of colour vision testing will be included in this process.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: The main support available to assist postgraduate students with the cost of attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved full-time course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment...