Results 3,261-3,280 of 45,495 for speaker:Simon Harris

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...

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

Simon Harris: Inclusion is one of the core strategic goals for my Department, and my ambition is to ensure that we provide supports and opportunities for learning to all. The Government’s STEM Education Policy Statement was published in 2017 and targets a 40% increase in the number of females taking STEM subjects for Leaving Certificate, which is critical for driving better participation at third...

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

Simon Harris: In considering the matters raised it is important to note that Technological Universities, as autonomous institutions, are responsible for their own academic affairs including the curriculum and student numbers on individual courses. The costs incurred by a Technological University in increasing student places on a particular course, or range of courses, can vary depending on a variety...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (16 Nov 2023)

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

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Building Regulations (15 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The Construction Safety Licensing Bill 2023 provides for a new and comprehensive framework for the licensing of certain construction, quarrying and related activities in Ireland. Following an independent review of SOLAS’s Construction Services Unit in 2017 and subsequent consultation with public sector, industry, and staff representatives, all stakeholders agreed that the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter . I will ask my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, to look into this matter, liaise with the local authority and reply to the Deputy directly on the issues raised.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: I am well aware of the excellent work done by bus escorts. It is vital, and they often build a relationships with vulnerable children and children with additional educational needs. I am not familiar with the contractual issues or terms and conditions, but I will refer the matter to the Minister for Education and ask her to link with the Deputy.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Nolan for raising the issue. Teacher supply is an issue which my colleague, the Minister, takes seriously. Budget 2024 contains a range of targeted measures aimed at trying to improve teacher supply, including a professional master's of education incentive scheme to be introduced for teachers graduating in 2024 and an expansion of the number of upskilling programmes available...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am well aware of the difficult situation in Galway city, Oranmore and Clarinbridge. My colleagues, the Ministers of State, Deputies O'Donovan and Naughton, were there today. We all want to help as a Government, as does Deputy Ó Cuív. At its meeting earlier, the Cabinet approved, on the recommendation of the Minister for Enterprise,...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: -----but right now the concern is an immediate ceasefire, getting the hostages released, including Emily, and getting people out.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: We need to get a ceasefire first. That is quite practical.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: I am going to have to bite my lip because I think that, in many ways, some of those comments are a dog-whistle. I would love to know what the Deputy thinks people are fearing in terms of their safety-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: -----and what people's nationality has to do with their safety. The Deputy and I have a very different outlook on this matter, and I would imagine a majority of people in County Kerry do too.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: It is a long-established position of this country that the solution in the Middle East is a peace settlement that recognises two states. That is where the world wishes to get to, or certainly large parts of the world, including Ireland. Right now, the most important thing this Government and country can do, and indeed that the Tánaiste will do, starting this evening, on his visit...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: I will have to ask the Minister for Justice to revert directly to the Deputy. I am aware work is under way in the Department of Justice in respect of that matter. Certainly, it is my view, and I think it is also the Minister for Justice's view, that in certain cases of particularly heinous crimes, there is merit in considering the idea of a minimum tariff.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: I am indeed, and I thank the Deputy for his question on this. Today, the Government had a good day in that we took three more concrete actions on the basis of recommendations from the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy O'Brien, to assist with the housing situation. We are expanding the Croí Cónaithe scheme such that more people can avail of the grant to do...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for that very fair question. I would expect to receive it in the coming weeks. There is a lot of work going between Galway-Roscommon ETB and SOLAS, and I thank them for that. We cannot provide enough apprenticeship capacity - the more, the better - and we need to make sure every part of the country is covered to make it accessible for people in the regions as well. I am...