Results 6,301-6,320 of 6,467 for speaker:James Lawless

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Contracts (17 Jun 2025)

James Lawless: My Department has not sought external public relations assistance at any time since its establishment. The information in respect of the state bodies within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with her query. Contact E-Mail...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: International Students (17 Jun 2025)

James Lawless: Currently, the number of students from Peru studying in Ireland's higher education institutions is very low, around 10 in total. Consequently, Education in Ireland, which promotes higher education internationally on behalf of my Department, does not currently include Peru among the priority countries where it is focussing its attention. Nevertheless, potential students have access to the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (17 Jun 2025)

James Lawless: The student referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal to the Independent Student Grant Appeals Board (the Board) on the 8th June 2025. The appeal is due to be considered by the Board on or before the 7th August 2025. The determination of the Board will be communicated directly to the student.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Artificial Intelligence (17 Jun 2025)

James Lawless: I understand the Deputy's question refers to one of the independent policy recommendation from the European Commission's Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) published in April 2024 on how to facilitate the uptake of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in research and innovation across the EU. As set out below, it relates to the work of the European Commission at European level rather than to my area...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Judicial Reviews (17 Jun 2025)

James Lawless: My officials are collating the information requested and will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Apprenticeship Programmes (19 Jun 2025)

James Lawless: Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí as an gceist seo a ardú. I thank the Deputies for raising this important matter. As the Deputies opposite are most likely aware, SOLAS is the State agency responsible for the further education and training sector. A key part of its remit and duties is to allocate funding to the education and training boards to deliver further education...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Apprenticeship Programmes (19 Jun 2025)

James Lawless: I am not impressed with the situation either. I would prefer if we were not in this situation. Sometimes in politics, we have to play the hands that we are dealt. Sometimes we would prefer they are different but they are what they are and we have to make the best of them. My job as Minister is to manage the situations that arise. I have said no class will be cancelled. I did not say...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (18 Jun 2025)

James Lawless: Craft apprentices are employees and are paid directly by their employer during the “on-the-job” training phases of their apprenticeship. Craft apprentice gross wage norms differ for different sectors. They are set through collective bargaining, and may be underpinned by sectoral employment orders. Neither SOLAS nor my department are involved in the setting of wages for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Schemes (18 Jun 2025)

James Lawless: The main form of financial assistance available to higher education students is the Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI. Full-time Online and Distance Learning Courses, do not qualify for grant assistance under the Student Grant Scheme. My Department does however recognise the need to offer support for more flexible forms of learning and last year, for the first time, a new...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (18 Jun 2025)

James Lawless: Within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutions of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006 and the Technological Universities Act 2018, higher education institutions (HEIs) in Ireland are autonomous bodies. As such, institutions are academically independent and are entitled to regulate their own internal affairs, including their engagements with different companies and institutions....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 Jun 2025)

James Lawless: Travel agencies, such as the one referred to by the Deputy, are privately owned and primarily operate in other jurisdictions. These agencies arrange study and travel options for prospective international higher education (HE) and English language education (ELE) students to many countries including Ireland. These agencies act as intermediaries between prospective students and predominantly...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 Jun 2025)

James Lawless: Under the Free Fees Initiative, the State provides funding towards the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate higher education students exclusive of the student contribution. The student contribution was introduced in the 2011/12 academic year. The student contribution replaced the student services charge levied by higher education institutions (HEIs), which were up to €1,500...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 Jun 2025)

James Lawless: Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous institutions responsible for their own academic affairs including the development of relevant curriculum and student numbers on individual courses. I understand that costs of individual courses can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the type of course and the method of provision. Costs also vary by institution. HEIs work...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 Jun 2025)

James Lawless: My Department announced the Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund (SIUF) programme call, in February 2022, to support the upgrade of Further Education and Training (FET) infrastructure for Education and Training Boards (ETBs).  Its purpose is to provide for high-quality teaching and learning environments, aligned with the principles of the FET College of the Future. A total of 19...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 Jun 2025)

James Lawless: On 13 May, the Government agreed to my proposals to establish a Global Talent Initiative to bring international research talent to Ireland. My Department is working with Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland to design a call, which will be launched this summer. The programme will have an initial budget of €8m per annum. It is anticipated that this figure will support...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff (19 Jun 2025)

James Lawless: The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) is committed to embracing opportunities for remote and blended working. The DFHERIS Blended Working Policy was introduced at the end of 2023 and allows staff members to make applications to work remotely for up to three days per week subject to business needs. Fully remote work patterns are not...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Jun 2025)

James Lawless: I wish to clarify for the Deputy that the private sector activity referred to in the answer given to Parliamentary Question No. 431 of 19 June 2025 refers to the activity of international students using travel agents operating outside of the State to help them organise study, accommodation and travel arrangements to come and study in Ireland. These agencies act as intermediaries between...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Dental Services (25 Jun 2025)

James Lawless: I propose to take Questions Nos. 245, 246, 247 and 248 together. My officials are working closely with their counterparts in the Department of Health to expand training places in areas of acute skills shortage, including oral healthcare and dentistry. The Department of Health is undertaking a scoping project and skills assessment across the oral healthcare sector. This will help inform...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Procurement Contracts (24 Jun 2025)

James Lawless: My Department operates a shared service agreement with the Department of Education and Youth, which provides assistance and support on public procurement policy, contract registration services, and related advisory functions. In addition, the Department has a designated Procurement Compliance Lead, a role held by an Assistant Principal who undertakes these responsibilities alongside other...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Procurement Contracts (24 Jun 2025)

James Lawless: Within the Department, at least two staff members hold a formal procurement qualification. One achieved their qualification prior to entering the Department. The other staff member completed the Kings Inn - Advanced Diploma in Public Procurement Law while in the Department. In addition, over the past 12 months, the Department has facilitated ongoing Continuing Professional Development in...