Results 3,161-3,180 of 45,291 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Oct 2023)

Simon Harris: The proposal put forward by Kerry ETB (KETB) under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund aims to transform FET provision in Killarney. As the deputy is aware, the Pretty Polly site has not been in use for some time and the ambition is to convert it into a state-of-the-art campus focusing on skills development in Hospitality Training, while supporting Renewable Energy and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (24 Oct 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 627, 631, 632 and 639 together. Since becoming Minister, I have introduced a number of changes to support PhD researchers. The first one was to address the discrepancy between the stipend paid to PhD researchers for the Irish Research Council (IRC) and those of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). Then, in Budget 2023, the stipend was increased by...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (24 Oct 2023)

Simon Harris: In November 2022, I appointed Dr Andrea Johnson and Mr David Cagney to undertake an independent National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers. This is the first time that State supports for PhD students have been considered holistically in this manner. The Co-Chairs’ first review report which was published in June 2023 notes that, of the approximately 10,000 PhD students...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (24 Oct 2023)

Simon Harris: Ensuring a supply of qualified vets to meet the demands of Ireland's agrifood sector is an important issue for my Department. A number of institutions put forward proposals, following the recent HEA Expression of Interest process outlining options for the expansion of veterinary medicine provision. As the Deputy is aware, there is a substantial capital cost associated with the provision of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (24 Oct 2023)

Simon Harris: I am actively prioritising the supply and affordability of student accommodation, in recognition of the challenges our students are facing. Through “Housing for All”, the Government has approved development of policy and funding to increase the supply of student accommodation. I have to date secured Government approval in principle of up to €61m in funding to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (24 Oct 2023)

Simon Harris: SOLAS are the body that has statutory responsibility for the national apprenticeship system. This includes responsibility for those awards issued under its predecessor bodies, FÁS and ANCO. My Department has no role in issuing or validating individual awards. However, the Apprenticeship Services section of SOLAS receive a lot of these types of queries and will be happy to assist in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (24 Oct 2023)

Simon Harris: Through the Free Fees Initiative (FFI), the State provides funding, exclusive of the student contribution, towards the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate higher education students who are pursuing approved full-time undergraduate courses of study in an approved higher education institution in the State. Courses outside the State are not included under the FFI and the student...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (24 Oct 2023)

Simon Harris: The revised national development plan, NDP, provides for Exchequer investment of nearly €2.9 billion in further and higher education infrastructure, research and innovation over the five-year period from 2021 to 2025. Research infrastructure is a critical element of an enabling R&I environment. Impact 2030 commits to the development of a framework for future research and innovation...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (24 Oct 2023)

Simon Harris: Since the formation of my Department by this Government there has been a significant improvement in funding to the higher education sector. The Funding the Future funding and reform framework, approved by Government in May 2022, settled the question on funding higher education. The Framework identified an amount of €307 million as representing the quantum of increase in core...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Schemes (24 Oct 2023)

Simon Harris: There is currently a network of five NZEB Centres of Excellence operational; Mayo-Sligo-Leitrim ETB, Cork ETB, Laois Offaly ETB, Waterford Wexford ETB and Limerick Clare ETB. The most recent NZEB Centre of Excellence in MSLETB is due to be officially opened shortly. A sixth centre in City of Dublin ETB is under development and City of Dublin ETB are already delivering NZEB Fundamental...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Budget 2024 (24 Oct 2023)

Simon Harris: Budget 2024 contains a package of measures to support households with the cost of living. These cost of living measures include a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students applies to those students who are eligible for the free fees initiative (FFI). Under the FFI students are not typically supported for a repeat period of study or for a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (24 Oct 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 643 and 644 together. The DARE scheme is a reduced points mechanisms for entry into higher education. The scheme is managed and operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) on behalf of the higher education institutions who are autonomous bodies. Admissions under the scheme are regulated by the higher education institutions themselves. Each...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (24 Oct 2023)

Simon Harris: My officials have engaged with SOLAS who have advised that the information requested is available at ETB level rather than county level. The table below sets out the number of approved PLC places for Kildare and Wicklow ETB for the academic years 2022/23 and 2023/24: Academic Year 2022/23 2023/24 Kildare and Wicklow ETB 1,292 1,292...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (24 Oct 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 individual 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: State Bodies (24 Oct 2023)

Simon Harris: The list of public bodies under the aegis of my Department are as follows: The Higher Education AuthorityIrish Research CouncilGrangegorman Development AgencySOLASSkillnet IrelandQuality and Qualifications IrelandLéargas - The Exchange BureauScience Foundation Ireland The Oireachtas contact details for each of the aegis bodies are provided in the document attached. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Local Government Reform (24 Oct 2023)

Simon Harris: In the context of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, no functions under this Department have been devolved in full or in part or are in the in the process of being devolved in full or in part.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Strategies (24 Oct 2023)

Simon Harris: I am actively prioritising the supply and affordability of student accommodation, in recognition of the challenges our students are facing. Through “Housing for All”, the Government has approved development of policy and funding to increase the supply of student accommodation. I have to date secured Government approval in principle of up to €61m in funding to unlock...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (19 Oct 2023)

Simon Harris: Without prejudicing processes or next steps in any way, it is interesting and encouraging that, on a regional basis, such strong ideas came forward. I mention not just strong ideas or hopes, because everyone is ambitious for their area, but when these bids were analysed by independent experts on an assessment panel that included, for example, the chief veterinary officer, they were deemed to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (19 Oct 2023)

Simon Harris: I welcome all support and allies in making the case for increased capital for the higher education sector given the difference the Deputy and I know it would make to the regions. I am not satisfied that so many young people are leaving the country to study veterinary medicine abroad. It is a disproportionately high number. We see in the number of people registering on the Veterinary...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (19 Oct 2023)

Simon Harris: I acknowledge that Deputy Ó Murchú raises this issue with me on a regular basis and we have had good meetings and engagement on it, including with a group of personal assistants we met, who were largely, though not exclusively, from the Louth and Meath Education and Training Board. I am pleased that we received an extra €2 million in funding for students with disabilities in...