Results 321-340 of 6,340 for speaker:James Lawless

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Grant Payments (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: The Deputy might call it a bureaucratic checklist but I am sure she would also agree public moneys should be carefully managed. It would not be appropriate to have a free-for-all where we do not need any proof or documentation and anyone who applies can get appropriate payments. I imagine the Deputy would agree this would not be appropriate either. If we accept that neither extreme is a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Third Level Education (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: To answer the Deputy's second question, yes, I will commit to increasing funding in education. I have announced that already and brought this before Cabinet where I secured approval to do so. The National Training Fund is a €1.485 billion pot of moneys which is collected through employer levies to support training and educational needs. There is a need for legislation to unlock...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Third Level Education (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: I agree with Deputy Cummins. We are very much on the same page on this. With regard to talent from abroad, I want Ireland to be a welcome place for scholars but that includes supporting our own - the people already here - and attracting more. The best-in-class research and innovation, STEM and humanities studies all work best when people collaborate at every level, including...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Grant Payments (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: I thank the Deputy for her question. Was that Question No. 3?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Grant Payments (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: I thank the Deputy for her question and interest in the area. She is her party's spokesperson in this area and I wish her well in that role. I look forward to working with her across the floor in the coming years. Regarding students who are considered to be dependent at the age of 23, this is part of the wider student grant system and scheme, which is kept under continuous review....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: I am acutely conscious of the financial challenges facing students and the need for the progressive implementation of measures to address costs as a barrier to education. I am committed to easing this burden for students and their families in a financially sustainable way. Almost all students have their tuition fees paid in full by the State through the Free Fees scheme; additionally,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 is committed to providing a wide range of national programmes that reflect the diversity of the Irish population. Since the formation of my department, investment in apprenticeships has increased by 84% - from €184 million in 2020 to €339 million in 2025. As apprenticeships are national programmes, apprentices can be called to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: The main support available to assist students with the cost of attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. The decision...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: My Department works in close collaboration with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on the development of capital projects in line with masterplans for each institution. My Department is committed to supporting NCAD in addressing its infrastructure and capacity needs. It is clear that there are significant infrastructure issues to be resolved...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: Addressing shortages in critical health and social care professions is a key priority for my Department and for the Government as a whole. An interdepartmental working group was established in April 2025, chaired by my Department along with senior representatives from the Department of Health, the HSE, the Department of Children, Equality and Disability, the Higher Education Authority and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: Government's commitment to meeting industry skills needs is evident in the 139% increase in apprenticeship investment - from €142 million in 2019 to €339 million in 2025. The last five years have seen a 33% growth in the number of apprenticeship programmes available from 58 to 77. The development of new apprenticeships follows a structured 10-step process overseen by the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Business Supports (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: The Government is committed to ensuring that employers continue to value apprenticeships and are incentivised to participate in apprenticeship programmes across all sectors of the economy. The department’s Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021 to 2025 recognises that the cost of training is a potential barrier to employer participation in apprenticeships. To support employers with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Business Supports (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: This Government is committed to creating an environment where enterprise can thrive, innovate, and drive job creation. As a member of the Government Trade Forum, and in engagements with IBEC and directly with employers, I have heard the key issues which enterprises are raising. I am committed to working in partnership to do everything at my disposal to ensure a responsive talent, skills and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important question. Supporting students in construction-related training and upskilling is a key priority for my Department, to meet national housing, retrofit and infrastructure targets. We have significantly expanded supports in recent years, including new and flexible programmes aligned with the evolving needs of the construction...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (22 May 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. The SIUF was...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: The introduction of Professorships in the Technological Universities is a major priority for me, and is a key commitment of the Programme for Government. The creation of such posts was a significant recommendation of the 2022 OECD review on the development and reform of academic staff structures in the Technological University sector. These roles will enable the transformation of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: Thank you, Deputy, for this important question. I assure you that my Department is committed to improving the lives of people with disabilities in line with the Programme for Government. There are several specialist programmes within Further Education and Training, or FET, for learners with disabilities. Through Specialist Training Provision, ETBs contract providers, including the National...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: I am committed to reaching a solution for an appropriate Youthreach facility to be leased in Macroom. My Department issued permission to Cork Education and Training Board (ETB) to enter negotiations with Bus Éireann, the prospective landlord at the end of March. A due diligence process must now be completed, which considers value for money, assessment of needs, climate targets and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Traveller Education (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: Improving the rate of participation of the Travelling community in third level education is one of the key priorities under the National Access Plan 2022-2028. Far too few Travellers participate in higher education. The National Access Plan target is for 150 new entrants each year to higher education by 2028, but the latest figures suggest around 40 new entrants. Addressing this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: I thank the Deputy for his question. Louth Meath ETB (LMETB) is currently being supported by SOLAS in developing its Preliminary Business Case (PBC) proposal for Dunboyne under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund and have met as recently as this month on this. The proposal put forward by LMETB relates to the development of a new fit for purpose facility on a green field site...