Results 341-360 of 6,340 for speaker:James Lawless

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

James Lawless: I look forward to consulting with stakeholders this year as my Department reviews the delivery of the current Action Plan, and develops a new 5-year strategy for the apprenticeship system from 2026. My priority is ensuring that the apprenticeship system is well equipped to continue to grow, to respond to the skills needs of industry, and to adapt to the challenges facing the workforce...

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

James Lawless: I was happy to announce on May 13th that Government had given their agreement to my proposals to establish a Global Talent Initiative to bring global research talent to Ireland. At a time when uncertainty looms for many researchers around the world, Ireland offers stability, opportunity, excellence and a gateway to the EU. My Department will continue their work with Taighde...

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

James Lawless: The development of diverse and progressive pathways for learners in further and higher education is a key strategic goal of myself and my Department. Tertiary programmes, first launched in July 2023, are a new kind of educational provision which allows a student to begin a degree course in further education, before transitioning on to complete their degree in a higher education setting. As...

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

James Lawless: Dundalk Institute of Technology do not have their own purpose-built student accommodation, therefore their students rely on private providers, the private rental sector and digs. At present, there are 49 digs beds advertised by Dundalk Institute of Technology. In the last three years, 94 purpose built student accommodation beds have been completed in Dundalk. I understand there are an...

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

James Lawless: I am very pleased to be able to inform you, Deputy Connolly, that I have just announced that Galway and Roscommon ETBs (GRETB) proposal for a new FET College in Galway city has been successful in moving forward to the next stage of development - the Pre-tender, Project Design, Planning and Procurement Strategy stage. This is following the evaluation process which was undertaken in April. ...

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

James Lawless: The National Access Plan (NAP) 2022-2028 aims to support inclusion and diversity in the student body, address the wider struggles and challenges for students, and deliver sustainable progress. It recognises the needs of vulnerable learners, the most marginalised and those with experience of the care system. The plan targets and supports students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Mental Health Policy (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: The issue of mental health and wellbeing is an important issue for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). In terms of funding available to the higher education sector, institutions receive funding from a variety of sources that contribute to the expenditure associated with the full range of institutional activities. My Department has provided €31.9 million to the HEIs through the...

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

James Lawless: The policy objective of both the Free Fees Initiative (FFI) and Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study and to support progression year on year within the same course. In terms of tuition fee supports, first time students undertaking a full-time undergraduate course may be eligible to have their...

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

James Lawless: My Department and I are committed to improving access to higher education for students throughout the country. A range of initiatives support this ranging from targeted financial supports to institutional investment, all aimed at breaking down barriers and ensuring that students, regardless of background or location, can pursue their ambitions in higher education. My Department is committed...

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

James Lawless: The primary objective of the new Student Accommodation Strategy which is in development is to address affordability and supply of student accommodation. My focus is on delivering targeted interventions that advance equitable access to higher education. To effectively address the challenges in student accommodation, we are employing four key tools: the development of standardised design...

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

James Lawless: Government policy, as set out in Impact 2030, Ireland’s national strategy for research and innovation, identifies Talent as one of its five key pillars. Pillar 4 of Impact 2030 outlines my Department’s strategic approach to continuing to support researchers throughout their career, including emerging researchers from students to early post-doctoral researchers. It also outlines...

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

James Lawless: I fully understand the importance of adult education and its ability to empower individuals, enhance their learning and provide new opportunities. These courses also serve as important social outlets for participants. As Minister, I have no role in the day-to-day operational management of Education and Training Boards (ETBs), which are independent statutory bodies. It is the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Health Services Staff (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: This Government is prioritising workforce planning across health and disability services, including in Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy and Physiotherapy disciplines. An interdepartmental working group is currently underway with senior officials from my Department, the Department of Health, HSE, HEA, Department of Education and Youth, and Department of Children, Equality...

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

James Lawless: 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 criteria of the Scheme. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Climate Change Policy (22 May 2025)

James Lawless: The climate and renewable energy sector presents significant economic and business opportunities, particularly in the development of Ireland’s offshore wind industry. By 2030, Ireland aims to achieve at least 5 GW of installed offshore wind capacity, with an additional 2 GW under development for non-grid applications, including green hydrogen. This ambitious growth requires a strong...

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

James Lawless: The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the awarding authority, SUSI to determine. Postgraduate students who meet all the conditions of the Student Grant Scheme may become eligible for the following supports: A student Maintenance grant which was restored in September 2024 for the first time since the financial crash. The annual rates and the...

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

James Lawless: Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland was established on 1st of August 2024, as the new competitive research and innovation funding agency for Ireland. The Irish Research Council (IRC) was dissolved on 4 November 2024, in line with the provisions of the Research and Innovation Act 2024, and all functions of the IRC were transferred to Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland. In terms...

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

James Lawless: Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous under the relevant legislation and the management of their academic affairs is a matter for individual institutions. It is my understanding that all HEIs have procedures under 'exceptional circumstances', and absences for mandatory assessments can be brought to the attention of the HEI for consideration. The National Access Plan for...

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

James Lawless: Government has invested significantly in expanding the number of apprenticeship opportunities for students over recent years. In Budget 2025 €77 million was allocated to apprenticeship, representing the single biggest increase in core funding for apprenticeships since the establishment of this Department. The total current budget for apprenticeship is €339 million, which...

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

James Lawless: Higher Education Institutions are autonomous with regard to management of their academic affairs. This includes determining tuition fee structures and the fee requirements for students undertaking a course that includes a placement element. It is not open to my Department to intervene in the policies of the institutions.I appreciate that a student undertaking a placement, where they are not...