Results 3,741-3,760 of 45,291 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: The preparation of a strategic development plan by a TU is entirely a matter for the technological university in question in accordance with the provisions set out in section 18 of the TU Act 2018. Neither I as Minister nor my Department has a function in the matter. Similarly, the location of any campus is a matter for a TU as an autonomous higher education institution and again neither I...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: I would like to thank the Deputy for this question. The quality of our researchers is fundamental to the quality of our research system and its collaboration with partners in industry and policymakers, both in Ireland and abroad. My Department last November initiated an independent National Review of State Supports for Ph.D. Researchers under the co-chairs Dr. Andrea Johnson and David Cagney....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, the HEA recently carried out an exercise to identify options for building capacity in the higher education sector in priority disciplines including Veterinary Medicine. As I am still reviewing the submission from the HEA, it is not currently possible to say how many further places may be delivered at this time, which higher education institutions may be involved,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: Late last year, I was very happy to announce that Kerry ETB’s (KETB) strategic proposal to develop a Further Education College in Killarney was successful at the first stage of the assessment process under the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund. The proposal put forward by KETB relates to the development of the former Pretty Polly and Sara Lee site to provide a specialist...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 134 together. I would like to thank the Deputy for this question. Under Pillar 4 of our national research and innovation strategy, Impact 2030, we have committed to ensuring that researchers have the right skills development and career opportunities so that they can make their maximum contribution, whether in academia, industry, the public sector or...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising matters in relation to the cost of supporting students with tuition fees and other higher education costs. I am acutely conscious of the challenges facing students and the need for the progressive implementation of measures to address cost as a barrier to education. I also recognise that costs are not limited to tuition fees or other registration fees payable...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research and Development (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: In November last year, I indicated in Dáil Éireann that my Department will prepare a proposal for Government to consider joining CERN. Since then, Officials from my Department have been working with CERN to prepare an application for Ireland's associate membership of CERN. It is envisaged that a formal proposal will be put to CERN Council for vote at the end of 2023 allowing for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science does not place a quota on the number of higher education places in publicly funded institutions, and as such the number of places provided each year is determined by the institutions themselves in line with their capacity. Bodies such as SOLAS's Skills and Labour Market Research Unit and the Expert Group on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: Since 2021, the Department has disbursed just over €96m in funding for the 2021/22 and 2022/23 academic years under the Devolved Capital Grant to Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and eligible higher education institutions. The Devolved Capital Grant is allocated to individual institutions in accordance with a model based primarily on student numbers, weighted by course type and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: The Higher Education Authority Act, which was enacted in October 2022, requires that higher education institutions promote the Irish language. As autonomous bodies, each higher education institution is responsible for its Irish language strategy, including the expansion and teaching of university courses through the Irish language. The Department distributes recurrent funding to the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: I have regular engagement both personally and through my Department with the Union of Student in Ireland (USI) and regional Student Union representatives. These meetings address issues including the cost of living crisis, its impact on students and their families and the provision of student accommodation. In April of this year I met representatives of USI to discuss the development of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: The Apprenticeship Jobs Portal (www.apprenticeshipjobs.ie) was launched in April 2019 to enhance the visibility and accessibility of apprentice job vacancies and to assist small companies to advertise apprentice vacancies to a wide audience. Although not a matching system the platform has been building traction since its launch. This contributed to over 350,000 users of www.apprenticeship.ie...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: The Department distributes recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for disbursement directly to the HEA's designated higher education institutions. The HEA distributes this funding as a block grant to the institutions. As autonomous bodies, the internal allocation of this funding, including expenditure on Irish-language education initiatives, falls to the individual...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: The OECD review of academic career structures, academic contracts and senior management and leadership structures in Irish technological universities (TUs) was published on 16 December 2022 following the Cabinet's noting of the insights provided by the OECD in setting out the strengths and differences evident between Irish TUs and comparator institutions internationally by Cabinet. Both...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: Late last year, I was very happy to announce that Galway Roscommon ETB’s (GRETB) strategic proposal to develop a Further Education College in Galway city was successful at the first stage of the assessment process under the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund. The proposal put forward by GRETB relates to the development of Mervue Training Centre which would provide a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: It is a priority of my Department to expand pathways into and within tertiary education, supporting leaners to get to where they want to go according to a learning route that is well-suited to their needs. There are now so many routes for learners to realise their chosen career and educational goals. For anyone who doesn’t gain access to their course of choice immediately, there is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: Until recently there has been a long-standing legislative impediment to farming apprenticeships under the Industrial Training Act, 1967, wherein it was stated that the development of apprenticeship programmes in “an activity of agriculture, horticulture or fishing which is an activity of primary production, or any activity of a professional occupation” was prohibited. I am...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: Apprenticeships are employer-led demand-driven programmes that develop the skills of an apprentice in order to meet the labour market needs. The number of new apprenticeship registrations is, therefore, primarily determined by the level of recruitment of apprentices by employers. The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025sets a target of 10,000 apprentice registrations per annum by 2025....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department is strongly committed to supporting the health and welfare of the population through the provision of graduates with the key competencies and skills to be effective in the health workforce, and support a range of clinical teams in our health services. Healthcare programmes are by their nature complex in delivery. The availability of appropriate placements and placement supports...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, the HEA ran an Expression of Interest process to identify options to build capacity in Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, as well as Medicine, Nursing and Dentistry. I have received the report from the HEA on this process, and am currently reviewing it in conjunction with my Cabinet colleagues the Minister for Health and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the...