Results 41,241-41,260 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (16 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Togetherall programme is jointly funded by the HEA and the HSE Mental Health Operations. This programme forms part of a broader HEA funded national project through PCHEI known as ‘Identify and Respond’ which includes the development of university staff training to identify and respond to at risk students. The pilot Togetherall Programme provides a clinically moderated, 24/7...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (16 May 2023)

Simon Harris: On the 27thMarch, I gave approval for the South East Technological University (SETU) to expand its presence in Waterford by agreeing to accept the vendor’s final reduced asking price for the 20.3 acre portion of the 37 acre Waterford Crystal site. Having informed the Vendor of its acceptance of his final reduced asking price, SETU are now engaged in the site due diligence process....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (16 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The proposed engineering, computing and general teaching building for the South East Technological University (SETU) Waterford, forms part of the Higher Education PPP Programme Bundle 2 project. The Bundle 2 procurement process is currently at tender stage. The competitive dialogue remains ongoing. Subject to the successful conclusion of the tender process, construction is due to commence in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (16 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that SOLAS have confirmed that a reply was issued on 21 March 2023. In line with GDPR provisions, the response was issued directly to Mr Jordan.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (16 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Third level institutions are academically independent and are entitled to regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes, including the mode of delivery of programmes of study. HEIs have taken significant steps to ensure that teaching and learning is enhanced by the integrated use of digital technologies, both on-campus and remotely. Many HEIs are and will be developing...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (16 May 2023)

Simon Harris: All higher education institutions, continue to support their students to find accommodation in the private rental sector through, for example, the encouragement of room rental or ‘student digs’ in family homes. A homeowner can rent a room, retain their social welfare entitlements where applicable, and earn up to €14,000 in rental income before having to pay tax. This...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Abortion Services (16 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The information requested is not held by the Department. Certain institutions provide GP services on campus as part of Student Services. Should a student wish to know more about services offered they should contact the service in question.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (16 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy is not available. The key source of statistics on students in higher education is the HEA's student records system (SRS) which records enrolments as at March of every academic year, giving a single point of reference. Therefore data is not available on a national level on students who leave their programme during the course of the academic year. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (16 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous and academically independent and each Higher Education Institution is responsible for its own Irish language strategy. Information would need to be sought from the HEIs directly. However, my Department is committed to the implementation of the Official Languages Act and provision of Irish-language services to its customers, and the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Measures (16 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I am committed to ensuring that the important views of the research community are captured and reflected on as the implementation of the new agency proceeds. A programme of stakeholder consultation has been taking place since the development of Impact 2030 Ireland's Research and Innovation Strategy and was integral to the development of that strategy. A High Level Group on the Research...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research and Development (16 May 2023)

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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research Funding (16 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Heads of Bill provide that the new agency will have a board consisting of 12 members, including a chair, and that all appointments will be made by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Careful consideration is being given to the competencies needed for the board, and the Department is seeking and listening to the views of stakeholders, as well as...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Irish Sign Language (16 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Deputy will be aware that the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 (the Act) was enacted on 24th December 2017 and commenced on 23rd December 2020. The Act recognises the right of Irish Sign Language (ISL) users to use ISL as their native language, and to develop and preserve it. The Act places a statutory duty on all public bodies to provide ISL users with free interpretation when availing of or...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Social Media (16 May 2023)

Simon Harris: It is a requirement of the Official Languages Act that documents setting out public policy proposals, annual reports, statements of strategy, and matters considered to be of major public importance, are published by Government Departments in both Irish and English and this is current practice. My department has not, to date, posted any social media content in Irish. In accordance with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Equality Issues (16 May 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to staff with disabilities. The Department is also committed to addressing the health and safety needs of all employees, including employees with disabilities. For this purpose, staff may be asked to indicate if they have any needs for reasonable accommodation or health and safety supports related to a disability. My...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (16 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Please find attached breakdown by ETB region of apprenticeships in tabular form.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The first thing I want to say in regard to the change in the law to protect peace officers and provide maximum sentences is that everybody in the House, including the Deputy, shares the view that it is important that we put legislation in place to send out a very clear message and solidarity from this, the people's House, with those on the front line that it simply will not be tolerated if...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I think we both agreed on the issue of people with short sentences and how we can try to help them be diverted from prisons in the first place. With my other hat is on as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, I am delighted that this week the Government agreed to establish a new prison education task force which will be jointly chaired by me and the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I fundamentally agree with the Deputy that there should never be a scenario where, for example, a school, workshop or training centre in a prison cannot open and people are instead sent out to a yard. That is a recipe for a variety of challenges, including challenges for prison officers as well as trying to break the cycle that we collectively want to break. I have spoken to the director...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Kenny for raising the question. I very much appreciate the fact that he referenced the challenging situation gardaí can find themselves in. I want to take this opportunity to thank members of An Garda Síochána. There have been well over 125 anti-immigration protests in the city alone. Gardaí have been working in very challenging environments and I want...