Results 9,521-9,540 of 10,614 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Bullying in Educational Institutions (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Deputy will be aware that there are a number of Programme for Government (PfG) commitments aimed at addressing bullying, including a commitment to commission surveys of staff and students in the areas of harassment, sexual harassment, and bullying in higher education. These surveys have now taken place and the findings published. Our higher education institutions have a duty of care...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I am very much aware that the rising cost of living is impacting students, and my Department has ensured that measures to support students have formed a core part of the Government's overall response to cost of living issues. In respect of Higher Education Costs, for the majority of students, Budget 2023 and Budget 2024 has had the effect of reducing the cost of higher education. For...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Since the establishment of my Department in June 2020, a key objective has been the continuing enhancement of quality education provision at third level. My Department has worked to drive performance & governance reform and improved outcomes as we work towards creating a world-class tertiary education system that is accessible, adaptable and aligned with the evolving needs of society....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Apprenticeship By the end of May this year there will be 75 national apprenticeships available, between NFQ levels 5 and 10. This is up from 53 national programmes in 2019, representing a very big increase in choice for learners and employers alike. Adding to 25 traditional craft programmes, consortia-led apprenticeships were developed from 2016 onwards to which respond to emerging...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Measures (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I have been engaging with Minister O’Brien and our officials on the decision of some private student accommodation providers to move to 51-week leases from the traditional leases which reflected the academic year. I recognise that while there may be a market for 51-week leases among some members of the student population, it is not desirable for the vast majority of third level...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: A craft apprenticeship takes 48 months to complete. This is based on progression through off-the-job training phases within training capacity and does not reflect delays due to deferring training, assessment delays or other individual circumstances. Currently, two craft apprenticeships out of 25 total craft programmes have completion times significantly over 48 months, and those are...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Information and Communications Technology (28 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: My Department has not made any direct capital investment in data or IT infrastructure since its establishment in 2020.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (28 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: A student attending a private college, such as the one referred to by the Deputy, which is not listed in the Student Support Regulations 2024 would not be eligible for funding under the Student Grant Scheme 2024. It is open to higher education institutions that operate on a 'for profit' basis to use their own resources to provide financial supports to any of their students that they...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (28 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: A pilot part time grant scheme will be introduced effective from September 2024. It will provide fee support to eligible part-time students attending specified publicly funded undergraduate courses leading to a major award. This is an important new initiative which will open the doors of higher education to many groups who cannot participate in full time programmes. The parameters of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Information and Communications Technology (28 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: As outlined in my previous response, the Department of Education provides IT provision and support services to my Department on a shared basis. As such, that Department meets any costs relating to the IT infrastructure, data maintenance and cyber-security. Thus my Department has not incurred any direct expenditure in these areas since its establishment in 2020. The information in respect of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Information and Communications Technology (28 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: My Department has provided funding to the Irish Centre for High End Computing (ICHEC) since the Department was established in 2020. The table outlines the funding by my Department to the ICHEC per each year from 2020-2024. DFHERIS Funding for ICHEC 2020-2024 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Amount...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (28 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: My Department is committed to delivering a high standard of third-level education across Ireland, as we acknowledge the crucial role that further and higher education institutions play in both regional and economic development. While there are no current plans for the development of a future third-level institute in Portlaoise town, the established Portlaoise Institute provides...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (28 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Section 7 of the Student Support Act 2011 outlines the position with regard to approved institutions for the purposes of the Student Grant Scheme. Ballyfermot College of Further Education is approved Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) centre which is managed and funded by City of Dublin ETB. As such, it is comprehended within Section 7(1)(d) of the Act as an “education institution in the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Residency Permits (28 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: In October 2022, an independent and comprehensive National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers was announced; the first time that this issue has been considered holistically in this manner. The first report of the Co-Chairs, Dr Andrea Johnson and Mr David Cagney, was published in summer 2023. In it they recommended an increase towards an optimum PhD stipend level of €25,000,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (29 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Section 7 of the Student Support Act 2011 outlines the position with regard to approved institutions for the purposes of the Student Grant Scheme. As the education provider in question is an approved Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) centre it is comprehended within Section 7(1)(d) of the Act as an “education institution in the State in receipt of grants out of moneys provided by the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: How much did you get?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: One choice has been ruled out anyway.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: EU Meetings (12 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Since June 2020, there have been 19 formal and 15 informal Council of the European Union meetings based on the EYCS (Education) and Compet (Research) formations. Of these, 7 were held virtually and 27 held in person. Minister Harris attended 7; Minister of State Niall Collins attended 4; and ambassadors represented the Government on 9 occasions. The EYCS (Education) Council is shared...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Flexible Work Practices (12 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The majority of staff in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science are availing of remote working since 2020. The Department's Blended Working Policy was introduced at the end of 2023 and allows staff members to make applications to work remotely for up to 3 days per week. We are now accepting applications from staff members to formalise their blended...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (13 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: In April of this year, an Taoiseach and I announced €100m in additional capital under the National Development Plan that will support delivery of over 1,000 new and additional student beds, with delivery commencing in the 2025/2026 academic year. This allocation enables the activation of Phase 1 of UCD’s stalled student accommodation project for delivery of 493 student beds...