Results 341-360 of 33,693 for speaker:Simon Harris in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Oideachas trí Ghaeilge (8 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Tá sé beartaithe agam PQanna 141 agus 142 a thógáil le chéile. Tá sé tábhachtach an ról éagsúil a imríonn an stát ag gach céim den chóras oideachais a aithint. Is comhlacht reachtúil de chuid na Roinne Oideachais agus Scileanna í an Chomhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta (CNCM) a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (7 Nov 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The Sports Capital Equipment Programme (SCEP) which is administered by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is the main channel of Government support for developing sports facilities and purchasing sports equipment for sports clubs and organisations across Ireland. Such projects include regional centres of excellence, Local Authority Projects and sports...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: In considering matters raised it is important to note that the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science does not place a cap on the number of Social Work places and therefore the places offered are a matter for the higher education institutions (HEIs), in line with their autonomy. Currently, six higher education institutes have accredited programmes...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: 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 any new schools in veterinary. Detailed discussions need to take place about the ways and means to address capital costs for the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, Budget 2024 contains a package of measures aimed at increasing the financial assistance available to students. These measures include a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for the free fees initiative in academic year 2023/24. The reduction will apply in 2023 and the HEI attended will revise the fee...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Artificial Intelligence (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department and its officials do not presently use ChatGPT or any other form of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate official text and no such software is installed on my official's devices. In accordance with “AI – Here for Good”, the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for Ireland, my Department's ICT service, which is provided by the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (7 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, including their admission procedures and policies. I would encourage the student to make contact with University...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Only in exceptional cases can candidates who are under 23 be assessed without reference to their parents/guardians income or address, Article 21(3)(b) of the Scheme refers. The assessment of a case of estrangement is carefully considered to ensure there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the exceptional circumstances pertaining in such cases genuinely exists. The scheme does not...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Inclusion is a core goal for my Department across the tertiary education system and equity of access to Further & Higher Education continues to be a national priority for the Government and my Department. While higher education institutions are autonomous, the approach of my Department has been to offer a range of supports which enable them to meet national objectives, including those...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The Student Grant Scheme is a critical financial support for students participating in further and higher education. As in any statutory scheme, a core principle of the scheme is that there is consistency of approach and an equitable treatment for applicants as part of the means assessment process. All applications are assessed nationally with reference to the terms and conditions of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science(DFHERIS) has no policy responsibility for transport links. However, we are acutely aware of the issues students have raised. This is a matter we are examining and we are consulting with the Department of Transport.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Staff (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Awaiting reply from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Advertising (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The information in respect of the public bodies within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by the Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.Attached is also a breakdown in tabular form of the advertising spend of my Department for each of the years 2020 to 2022. To note,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Official Engagements (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Awaiting reply from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Official Engagements (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: At the request of the Irish Representative Office in Ramallah, an official of my Department met with an education delegation from the Palestinian Authority, who were attending a conference in Dublin Castle on 2 December 2022.The purpose of the meeting was to explain the structure of the Irish Tertiary system, and to invite any comments/ discussions. The Higher Education Authority and Leargas...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The issue of academic career precarity is and will remain an important element of the work of my Department. As such, many of the proposals identified in the motion passed by Seanad Éireann are being progressed. As announced in the recent Budget, an additional €193 million in funding is being provided over 2023 and 2024 to the Higher Education sector. This includes some...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: As requested by the Deputy, I am pleased to attach a table outlining the FET Capital Grants paid to the Education and Training Board sector for 2021, 2022 and to end of October in 2023. Capital Available in 2021 Capital Available in 2022 Capital Available from January to October 2023 CORK ETB ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The Climate Action Plan 2023 includes the expansion of Ireland’s electric vehicle fleet as a key objective and set an ambitious target of 30% of our private car fleet having made the switch to electric vehicles by 2030. This expansion will see a significant increase in new skills requirements. The Expert Group for Future Skills Needs report Skills for Zero Carbonestimates that the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Costs (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, graduate entry medicine (GEM) is a pathway for degree holders who want to pursue a medical career on an accelerated four year programme. Students pursuing GEM programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding. They are also not eligible for funding under the Student Grant Scheme as they do not meet the progression...