Results 6,361-6,380 of 45,495 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: I wish to advise that under the Protocol for the disposal of state assets, the property referred to by the Deputy was listed for disposal on the State Property Register in September 2019 with no interest being indicated by the State sector in retaining the property in public ownership. On that basis, Grangegorman Development Agency (GDA) and TU Dublin have incorporated the disposal of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: I am happy to provide the Deputy with an update on what I consider a very important funding stream for my Department to develop and grow its supports for vulnerable learners, learners with disabilities, under-represented groups and the most marginalised. I have allocated funding for an additional 50 PATH 2 1916 Bursaries. The bursaries provide extra support to students from disadvantaged and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: In July 2022, I announced that an additional 50 1916 bursaries of €5000 per student would be made available for the most socio-economically disadvantaged students as identified in the National Access Plan including those with a disability, mature students, lone parents, and further education award holders. In addition, changes were introduced to the 2022/2023 PATH 2 1916 Bursary scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: The deputy will be aware that the fourth National Access Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education (NAP) (2022 – 2028) was launched in August. It identifies several priority groups that are currently under-represented in higher education, including Irish Travellers and the Roma community. The new NAP sets ambitious targets for Traveller participation in Higher Education and for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ukraine War (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: Firstly, I am aware of the student in question and my officials have engaged with the student since their return to Ireland. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, I have been unwavering in my support to the Irish students whose studies were interrupted, and arrangements have been put in place to continue with their education. As the deputy will be aware, dentistry education is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Consultations (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: The Programme for Government Our Shared Future includes a commitment to ensure that Ireland is a global leader in research and innovation across the arts, humanities, social sciences and STEM. Consequently, Impact 2030: Ireland's Research and Innovation Strategy, which I launched on the 18thof May, positions research and innovation at the heart of addressing Ireland's societal, economic and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Vacant Properties (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 262 together. Direct engagement with higher education institutions in respect of their estates is generally done through the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in terms of their estate management. My Department works closely, through the HEA, with HEIs on the issue of estates in the context of capital planning and investment programmes and student...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: As part of Budget 2023, the Government has approved a once off State support of €1,000 towards the student contribution payable by students eligible for free tuition fees under my Department’s Free Fees schemes in academic year 22/23. Where students do not qualify for Free Fees funding they pay the appropriate fee as determined by each higher education institution. In this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: Under the Free Fees Initiative, tuition fees are paid in respect of eligible full-time undergraduate students undertaking approved courses in eligible institutions. Free Fees funding has been extended to a limited number of courses in not-for-profit private institutions, where specific learning or skills needs have been identified. In Marino Institute of Education, Free Fees approved...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Transport (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: I met with the Minister for Transport in September to discuss transport options for students across the third level sector, including issues relating to access to public transport. I am keen to continue engagement on this issue, given the critical role played by accessible and affordable public transport in facilitating access to tertiary education. The provision of public transport...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (27 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: The student referred to by the Deputy was awarded 50% student contribution by the awarding authority. A party to an appeal had declared employment would cease on 30 June 2022, so an additional letter was sent to the applicant on the same day as the award letter requesting Confirmation of Cessation of Employment from Revenue in order to review under a change of circumstances. As of 25th...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (26 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: Under the Free Fees Initiative, tuition fees are paid in respect of eligible full-time undergraduate students undertaking approved courses in eligible institutions. Free Fees funding has been extended to a limited number of courses in not-for-profit private institutions, where specific learning or skills needs have been identified. In Marino Institute of Education, Free Fees approved...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: The National Shared Services Office (NSSO) is responsible for the payment of pensions to retired personnel from the Technology University and Institute of Technology Sector. The NSSO have advised officials of my Department the majority of retirees of the HEI to which the Deputy refers will have received the 1 October 2021 increases by the end of October and it is expected the remaining...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: There are a total of 5 persons working in my Department’s Communications Unit. The section is responsible for management of all press and media relations, in addition to internal and external communications and information campaigns delivered through a variety of channels, including via social media.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Irish Language (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: My Department is represented on a new Steering Committee established by the Department of Education to support the development of a Policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht. This group will provide oversight, guidance and direction on the development of the Policy. The Policy will contribute towards achieving the aims of the government's 20 Year Strategy for the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Properties (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: The procurement, purchase and rent of Government offices is the responsibility of Property Management Services in the Office of Public Works, which acts as an agent for all Government Departments and offices. I can confirm to the Deputy that a new office space was acquired in September 2021 for my Department’s Head Quarters at 52 Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. I can confirm that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Properties (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: The procurement, purchase and rent of Government offices is the responsibility of Property Management Services in the Office of Public Works, which acts as an agent for all Government Departments and offices. I can confirm to the Deputy that a new office space was acquired in September 2021 for my Department’s Head Quarters at 52 Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. I can confirm that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: As part of Budget 2023, in recognition of the cost of living financial challenges facing full time third level students funded through my Department, I have secured a significant cost of living package for third level students, including a once-off €1,000 state financial support towards the undergraduate student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: Apprentices are primarily employees and all of the 66 available apprenticeships are undertaken under a contract of employment. For the majority of apprenticeships, the rate of pay is agreed between the apprentice and the employer with the employer paying the apprentice during both on-the-job and off-the-job training elements of the apprenticeship. For the 25 craft apprenticeship programmes,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: For student grants purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian, or as independent mature students. A student may be assessed as an independent mature student if he or she has attained the age of 23 on the 1st of January of the year of first entry to an approved course or of re-entry following a break in...