Results 3,041-3,060 of 45,291 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Communications (28 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department is not aware of any meetings or briefings, in person or remote, from 2020 to date with the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) or the Hope and Courage Collective. If the Deputy wishes to contact the ageis Bodies under the remit of my Department, the contact information is as follows. Contact e-mail Addresses for State Bodies under the remit of the Department of Further and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (28 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The issue of academic career precarity is and will remain an important element of the work of my Department. As part of this work, my officials engage with all stakeholders, including trade unions and Higher Education Institutions, on the issues that are raised in the charter and in IFUT’s recent report on precarious employment. It is however noted that the Charter itself would seem...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (28 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Within the Higher Education Sector, staff representative bodies and the employers have signed up to the terms of the Building Momentum agreement. Under the agreement, a Higher Education Sector Oversight Group (HESOG) was established to consider relevant matters that could not be resolved via local engagement. The membership of HESOG includes DFHERIS, the Irish University Association, the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (28 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The issue of academic career precarity is and will remain an important element of the work of my department. However, the potential submission of a Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) in respect of research staff is not a matter for my Department. SEOs were provided for as part of a revised legislative framework under the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2015. Under the Act, a trade...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Nursing Education (28 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: 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. As such they are autonomous in relation to their administrative and academic affairs. This includes the processes in place in relation to appeals of grades and other issues which may arise for a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (23 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Currently, Phase 2 Pipefitting training is delivered in Cork Education and Training Board (ETB) and Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) by four instructors. As the Coordinating Providers for the apprenticeship, the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) and SOLAS are actively engaging with the Collaborating Providers and employers of pipefitting apprentices to support...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Free the Belfast brickie.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: What about 65 for the Belfast brickie?

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Gambling Sector (22 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Gambling behaviours of young people are of concern, particularly regarding the negative impacts that are associated with gambling addiction. It is important to note that supports are available to students who are struggling with gambling and gambling addiction, for example spunout.ie. My Department is not aware of any sports events in Higher Education Institutions being sponsored by the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (22 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The cost of any scholarship scheme would depend on the parameters of such a scheme primarily the level of funding and the number of students supported. The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is working closely with the Department of Health and Department of Children, Equality, Diversity, Integration and Youth to increase the number of places...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (22 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The potential cost of procurement of sensory maps is not held by my Department and is likely to vary depending on institutions. I fully support Universal Design Principals. It is an ambition of our National Access Plan that our Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are inclusive, universally designed environment which support and foster student success and outcomes, equity and diversity,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (22 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The content of higher education programmes is a matter for each higher education institution, and any relevant professional regulatory body. The Teaching Council accredits Initial Teacher Education programmes for the teaching profession, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland accredits Nursing programmes, and CORU accredits programmes across a range of health and social care disciplines....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (21 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The current status of the review of colour vision requirements for apprenticeship programmes is as follows:One colour vision review has been completed for Vehicle Body Repair (VBR).Five Programme Advisory Board (PAB) meetings are scheduled for the coming weeks. The continued requirement for colour vision in these five crafts will be on each agenda. The five crafts in question are Plumbing,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (21 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Under the Further Education and Training Act (2013), SOLAS has statutory responsibility for planning, funding, and co-ordinating Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland. My officials have referred your query to SOLAS for direct reply on this individual matter. If the apprentice does not receive a response from SOLAS within 30 days, please do come back to my office for further follow-up.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cybersecurity Policy (21 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The Department of Education and my Department have a shared service on ICT. This includes managing cyber-security matters, audits, and ICT-related consultancies. The services provided to my Department and the Department of Education include cyber security defences, which are supported by the work of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the national computer security incident...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Waste Management (21 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department is strongly committed to playing its part in moving towards a more sustainable economy and society and recognises the importance of circular economy practices, such as a deposit return scheme for coffee cups and other beverage containers, in achieving this goal. The Second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development – ESD to 2030, with an accompanying...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (21 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 595 and 596 together. Since January of this year, officials from my Department have been working closely with the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Northern Ireland to agree the conditions for the Irish Government's initiative to fund mobility for their students to avail of mobilities. While the initial approach was to develop a scheme within the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Budget 2024 (21 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: A significant part of the annual budgetary process is determining the amount of funding required for Departments to carry out their existing functions. This is referred to as the ‘Existing Level of Service’ (ELS) that delivers additional investment in public services, through for example providing existing schemes to a growing number of people, and investment in the public...

Science Week: Statements (16 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: I am pleased to have this opportunity to speak to the House during Science Week 2023. I thank the Business Committee for scheduling this debate. Science Week is a celebration that many of us in the House and across society are passionate about. It is a celebration that, encouragingly, is growing in stature and significance every year. I sometimes believe that, when we talk or think...

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

Simon Harris: TUs are important providers, regionally and nationally, of STEM programmes and of other higher vocational, technical, technological and professional skills programmes. They are legislatively required in so far as possible in the performance of their functions to contribute to the promotion of the scientific and technological development of the State. All five TUs provide a comprehensive range...