Results 3,761-3,780 of 45,291 for speaker:Simon Harris

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 in accordance with a model based primarily on student numbers, weighted by course type and mode of study. In April...

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

Simon Harris: I have not been made aware of any plans to develop a new campus on the north side of Cork city. However, my Department is willing to work collaboratively with all higher education institutions and Education Training Boards with the HEA and SOLAS on the development of capital projects in line with their established masterplans. My Department is currently supporting a number of key ongoing...

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

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 135 together. 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 by students. Students have real cost of living challenges such as fuel, food...

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

Simon Harris: The improvement to the student grant scheme has been a priority for me since taking up my Ministerial appointment and I have made many improvements benefitting thousands of students. Over the course of the past three Budgets, I have delivered a range of enhancements to the Student Grant Scheme to put more money into the pockets of students and their families including a significant package...

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

Simon Harris: Higher education institutions (HEIs) are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs, including course provision relating to third level access programmes that are specific to each HEI. The HEA is responsible for collecting, analysing and disseminating student and graduate enrolment data from higher education institutions (HEI) but...

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

Simon Harris: My Department is engaging closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on a number of actions in the Housing for All action plan. My Department is also represented on the DHLGH’s Cost Rental Viability Measure working group. This close engagement helps to ensure there is a collaborative approach to housing and student accommodation. Our Departments are also...

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

Simon Harris: A key commitment of the ‘Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025’ is to grow the number of apprenticeship registrations across the public service, including local authorities, to reach 750 annual registrations by 2025. This represents in excess of a seven-fold increase on 2020 registrations and will support a long-term goal of 7% of the apprentice population being employed by...

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

Simon Harris: I am actively working to address the supply of student accommodation. Increasing costs of construction and financing are impacting on viability, and as a result a number of Universities had to pause their projects. In responding to these challenges, on 29 November 2022, Government approved development of both short and medium term policy responses to activate supply. These landmark...

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

Simon Harris: A core objective of the tertiary system is to equip learners with the knowledge and skills to adapt to living and working sustainably, whether that is in Ireland or abroad. The International Education strategy recognises the value of both inbound and outbound mobility, providing opportunities for learners to broaden their experience and strengthen global linkages for Ireland. Of the 2021...

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

Simon Harris: My Department is strongly committed to supporting the health and wellbeing 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. As the Deputy is aware, Higher Education Institutions are autonomous institutions and therefore it is a matter 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 places on these type of courses as offered by higher education institutions, and as such the number of places provided each year is determined by the institutions themselves in line with their capacity. Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies within the meaning...

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

Simon Harris: I am very aware of the pressures affecting students arising from the cost of living and have taken a number of measures to address this. In Budget 2023 I secured a package of cost of living supports which saw a significant reduction in the cost of college for third level students and their families. For students starting their course this September, I have increased grant rates, with all...

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

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to the promotion of the Irish language, and I recognise the vital role which the further and higher education system plays in promoting our language, and in ensuring that there are sufficient graduates with competence in Irish to meet skills needs in this area. Reflecting the importance of the language in the higher education system, the Higher Education...

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

Simon Harris: Under the current model, trainees who successfully complete a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) or Quarries Skills Certification Scheme (QSCS) programme receive QQI accreditation and a CSCS/QSCS card. Following an independent review of SOLAS’s Construction Services Unit in 2017 and subsequent consultation with public sector, industry, and staff representatives, all...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Bodies (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: The list of public bodies under the aegis of my Department is as follows: The Higher Education Authority Irish Research Council Grangegorman Development Agency SOLAS Skillnet Ireland Quality and Qualifications Ireland Léargas - The Exchange Bureau Science Foundation Ireland The Oireachtas contact details for each of the aegis bodies are provided in the document attached. Contact E-Mail...

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

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 393, 394, 395, 396, 398 and 401 together. One of my goals as Minister is to ensure that potential learners have access to the educational pathways that allow them reach their potential in a way that meets the very broad and rapidly changing needs of our labour force, the economy and society. It is therefore my objective to ensure that capacity continues...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Labour Market (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department continues to prioritise strengthening our skills ecosystem to ensure it has the agility and flexibility to adapt to changing priorities in the skills and workforce development landscape, including increasingly rapid, technologically driven changes in the world of work. This focus is underpinned by the detailed and comprehensive OECD Report on Ireland's Skills Strategy...

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

Simon Harris: My Department is actively addressing the availability of student accommodation, given the challenges in the wider rental market. Through “Housing for All”, the Government has approved development of policy and provision of funding to increase the supply of purpose built student accommodation. This has resulted in the State directly supporting the short term development of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Bullying in Educational Institutions (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, our tertiary education institutions have a duty of care to ensure that staff and students have a safe environment to study and work; free from bullying, harassment or other forms of unwanted behaviour. This is an entitlement for everyone who works and studies at our third level institutions. The Deputy will be familiar with the ‘Speak Out’ tool which my...