Results 5,881-5,900 of 6,467 for speaker:James Lawless

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Information and Communications Technology (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: Springboard+ 2025 has not yet been finalised, therefore it is not possible to provide the requested information in relation to 2025, at this time. The requested information is available in the table below for Springboard+ 2024: SPRINGBOARD+ 2024 Skills Area No. Courses No. Places Cost Artificial...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Bodies (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: Quarterly prompt payment reporting data submitted by public bodies and agencies under my Department are compiled and published in accordance with Government Decision S29296 of 19 May 2009, 2 and 8 March 2011, and 28 March 2017. These reports, are made available online. Please see links below. 2025 Prompt Payments - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-further-and-higher-education-res...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Bodies (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: Public bodies under the aegis of my Department are required to submit quarterly prompt payment reports in accordance with Government Decision S29296 of 19 May 2009, 2 and 8 March 2011, and 28 March 2017, regarding the 15-Day Prompt Payment Commitment. These reports are published on a quarterly basis. Details can be found in the links below: Q1 2025 Prompt Payments - Q1 - Q4 2023 Prompt...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: I propose to take Questions Nos. 592, 593, 595, 596 and 597 together. Our higher education system plays an important role in supporting and promoting the use of the Irish language. To this end, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has a statutory responsibility to ensure that higher education institutions (HEIs) promote and use the language. It should be noted that Higher Education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: 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. They are responsible for their own administrative and academic affairs, including those impacted by the Official Languages Acts. Recurrent grant funding is allocated to these institutions either...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: A priority for my department remains the continued growth of the national apprenticeship system to meet Ireland’s skills needs now and into the future. The termination of an apprentice’s contract of employment does not result in the termination of the apprenticeship. In this case, the apprenticeship is put on hold until a new apprentice employer is secured, at which point the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) 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. They are responsible for their own administrative and academic affairs. Recurrent grant funding is allocated to these institutions either through the HEA, which disburses funding on behalf of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: The main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme which is administered by SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland). Under the terms of the Student 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: I wish to thank the Deputy for the question regarding student health facilities. Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies and the internal disbursement of funding is a matter for each individual institution. This would include the funding of student services and health supports. However, I know and expect that the welfare of students, and this includes all students, is an...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Strategies (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: My Department continues to support work combatting racism across the Higher Education System, including via the work driven out by, and funding provided via, the HEA Centre of Excellence on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. While higher education institutions are autonomous, I know that the welfare of students is a priority for all our publicly funded higher education institutions. I...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: The decision on eligibility for a student grant, and the rate payable to applicants deemed eligible for that grant is a matter for SUSI to determine having regard to the terms and conditions of the Scheme. Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Fiscal Data (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: In October 2022, an independent review of PhD provision was announced, the first time that a review of this nature had been undertaken. The independent Co-Chairs undertook a very comprehensive consultation process, meeting with over 35 stakeholder organisations, including an all-day (and in-person) workshop with student groups. In addition, over 750 written review submissions were received...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: International Students (7 May 2025)

James Lawless: In order to obtain permission to study in Ireland, international students are required to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to be able to support themselves while in Ireland without recourse to public funds, or the reliance on casual employment. Currently, visa required nationals must show evidence that they have immediate access to at least €10,000. This is the estimated...

Power of Higher Education, Research and Skills as Economic Enablers in a Changing World: Statements (13 May 2025)

James Lawless: I will make an opening statement and then the Chair of the Oireachtas committee, Deputy Erin McGreehan, will speak and the Minister of State, Deputy Marian Harkin, will close the debate at the end. I welcome that we have taken some time in the House today to address one of the most important issues that confronts a Government at any time, but particularly in changing and challenging times...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (14 May 2025)

James Lawless: Further Education and Training (FET) offers a variety of courses to meet personal and professional needs. These are available nationwide on a full-time or part-time basis and on weekdays, evenings, and weekends. For personalised guidance, I would recommend that the person in question contacts the Adult Education Guidance Service in Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board. My...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (14 May 2025)

James Lawless: As the Deputy is aware, the Prison Education Taskforce was established in May 2023, and it is co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Justice. With representatives from both Departments, the Irish Prison Service, SOLAS, the National Apprenticeship Office, Education and Training Boards Ireland, the Probation Service, Maynooth University and former prisoners, the Taskforce aims to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Artificial Intelligence (14 May 2025)

James Lawless: I wish to note the launch last week of the Government’s new Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Service by Minister Jack Chambers. The new guidelines support the public service to implement guardrails to ensure that the rights of the individual are safeguarded and will aim to positively impact any AI practices. Key areas of focus by the HEA...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (14 May 2025)

James Lawless: As an autonomous body with academic and administrative freedom, Maynooth University is responsible for its own policy and programme development, including in relation to the programme the Deputy refers to. I am aware that the Turn to Teaching programme has been on a pilot basis and is part of the PATH 1 initiatives of the National Access Plan and I will be making an announcement regarding...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Contracts (14 May 2025)

James Lawless: The purchase of IT equipment for my Department is managed by the Department of Education in the first instance under a Memorandum of Understanding.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (14 May 2025)

James Lawless: The Deputy should note that Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous and consequently, the management of their day to day functions, including decisions on courses and academic disciplines, are matters for the individual institution in the context of their governance structures and policies. My Department does not have a role in the monitoring of additional new courses or academic...