Results 3,541-3,560 of 45,291 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Labour Market (5 Jul 2023)

Simon Harris: The Government has set an ambitious target to retrofit 500,000 homes by 2030. The Report on the Analysis of Skills for Residential Construction & Retrofitting, 2023 to 2030and Skills for Zero Carbon – The Demand for Renewable Energy, Residential Retrofit and Electric Vehicle Deployment Skills to 2030, have outlined a number of recommendations in both residential retrofitting...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (5 Jul 2023)

Simon Harris: In November 2022, the Government confirmed approval for a new policy led by my Department, to provide State assistance to stimulate the development of new and additional student accommodation for public higher education institutions. This landmark policy response will, for the first time, see the State providing financial support in the construction of student accommodation, and underpins the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (5 Jul 2023)

Simon Harris: I have sought an update from SUSI in respect of the individual referred to by the deputy. The student submitted an appeal to SUSI regarding the rate of grant awarded on the 14th June 2023. The Appeals Officer determined that she had been correctly assessed as a mature dependent student and refused her appeal on the 16th June 2023, advising her of her right to appeal further to the Student...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (5 Jul 2023)

Simon Harris: An inclusive higher education system is a national and European priority. Inclusion is one of the six strategic goals set out in my Department’s Statement of Strategy. My priority is to deliver a more equitable higher education system. The fourth National Access Plan 2022-2028 was launched on August 31 2022 setting out our ambition to support inclusion and diversity in our student...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (5 Jul 2023)

Simon Harris: On June 28th 2023, I announced a significant milestone in the development of the National College of Art and Design (NCAD), under the Department's Infrastructure Upgrade and Refurbishment Fund (IURF). NCAD prepared an application for funding under the IURF in respect of a proposed development for the college. During my visit to the college, I confirmed that the Department felt that there...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (5 Jul 2023)

Simon Harris: Across the Higher Education System, funding has been provided under Springboard+ and the Human Capital Initiative for programmes which provide upskilling and reskilling opportunities in areas of identified skills need. On 7th June 2023, a combined total of 11,213 places on 357 courses were launched under Springboard+ 2023 and Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 1, provided by public and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (5 Jul 2023)

Simon Harris: While my Department does not have a specific policy regarding announcements and the distinction between new funding and previously announced funds, I can assure the Deputy that the Department places great emphasis on clear and open communication with the public. When making announcements, my Department prioritises accuracy, context and plain language to ensure clarity and avoid any...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (5 Jul 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 229, 230, 231, 232, 233 and 234 together. 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 reflects the objective, under the dedicated Talent Pillar of Impact 2030, Ireland’s national research and innovation strategy, for a consistent research...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cross-Border Co-operation (5 Jul 2023)

Simon Harris: The Government’s Shared Island initiative aims to harness the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement to enhance cooperation, connection and mutual understanding, as well as engagement with all communities and traditions to build consensus around a shared future on the island. On the 20th of June, the Government awarded €56 million from the Shared Island Fund for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Equipment (5 Jul 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department has recorded no instances of using unlicensed and/or lapsed licenced software since its establishment in August 2020 to date.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (4 Jul 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department is strongly committed to supporting the health of the population through the provision of graduates with the key competencies, experience and skills to be effective in the health workforce, and support a range of clinical teams in our health services The National Ambulance Service (NAS) for the most part educates its own workforce through its own college. The National...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Sports Funding (4 Jul 2023)

Simon Harris: The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science was formed in August 2020. Since formation, the Department has not made any payments to the Gaelic Athletic Association, nor does it have any specific provision for an allocation directly to the Gaelic Athletic Association in 2023 in the form of grants, grant-in-aid, low cost borrowing and funding.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (4 Jul 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department is engaging with the Department of Children, Equality, Diversity, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) on an ongoing basis in relation to student accommodation for the 2023/24 academic year. It is agreed that all student accommodation contracted for the summer months to temporarily accommodate those fleeing the war in Ukraine, and those under International Protection will be fully...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (4 Jul 2023)

Simon Harris: The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) on behalf of the higher education institutions who set the policy criteria for the scheme. Further information on IUA is available on www.iua.ie. Applications to the scheme are submitted to the Central Applications Office (CAO) who coordinate the scheme for participating institutions....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (29 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: The proposed Punches Cross Student Accommodation site is owned by Cloncaragh Investments Ltd. An application for the development of the site was granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanala in March 2023. The permission granted for this development includes 68 student apartments which will provide 318 beds and 30 build-to-rent apartments. Information on this development can be found here...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (29 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: At the time of publication of the Public Service Performance report it was noted that the 2022 figures were subject to change as the reconciliation was still underway - (footnote no 4. page 41 refers) The current number of students that received student grants in 2022 is 60,907. This may be subject to change as reconciliation is still ongoing. This is a demand led scheme and as such many...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (29 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department purchased six ‘Proud to Work for Ireland’ t-shirts worn by staff members who participated in the Dublin Pride Parade 2023. The total cost of these t-shirts, including VAT, was €106.35.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (29 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: The Devolved Capital Grant provides flexible capital funding to eligible higher education institutions to support small-scale building works including energy efficiency and decarbonisation related upgrades, health and safety works, access works, refurbishment etc. and equipment purchase or renewal, including ICT. The focus of the funding for minor capital works, refurbishment and renewal...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (29 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: Since 2020, the Department has disbursed €120m in funding for the 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 academic years (€40m for each academic year) under the Devolved Capital Grant to eligible Higher Education Institutions. The Devolved Capital Grant is allocated in accordance with a model based primarily on student numbers, weighted by course type and mode of study. On Monday 26th...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Policies (29 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: There have been significant policy achievements made since the establishment of my Department in August 2020. The 2021 Annual Report for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science provides a comprehensive overview of the Department's achievements in 2021. The link for the Annual Report can be found here:...