Results 621-640 of 6,558 for speaker:James Lawless

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (20 May 2025)

James Lawless: Within the Further Education and Training (FET) sector, SOLAS manages the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) which supports eligible students on Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses so that they can participate on an equal basis with their peers. Based on the 2024/2025 academic year, approximately 6% of PLC learners have availed of FSD supports. SOLAS have advised my officials...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (20 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 with a pro-rata effect from...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (20 May 2025)

James Lawless: The Government recognises third level education can be a significant cost for families and students. In budgets 2023 and 2024 My Department was able to provide further financial assistance to students most in need by increasing maintenance grant rates.Effective from January 2023, all maintenance grant holders received an increase in their grant rate of between 10% and 14%.Effective from...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Bodies (15 May 2025)

James Lawless: The Research and Innovation Act, 2024 enacted following approval by both Houses of the Oireachtas provided for the establishment and functions of a statutory body to be known as Research Ireland, the dissolution of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), as well as the transfer of the activities as respects research and innovation carried out by the Irish Research Council (IRC) in the Higher...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (15 May 2025)

James Lawless: I am conscious of the fiscal challenges facing students and the need for the progressive implementation of measures to address costs as a barrier to education. I am committed to easing this burden for students and their families in a financially sustainable way. Specifically, in relation to the matters raised, it is important to note that all students eligible for the Free Fees Initiative...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (14 May 2025)

James Lawless: Further Education and Training (FET) offers a variety of courses to meet personal and professional needs. These are available nationwide on a full-time or part-time basis and on weekdays, evenings, and weekends. For personalised guidance, I would recommend that the person in question contacts the Adult Education Guidance Service in Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board. My...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (14 May 2025)

James Lawless: As the Deputy is aware, the Prison Education Taskforce was established in May 2023, and it is co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Justice. With representatives from both Departments, the Irish Prison Service, SOLAS, the National Apprenticeship Office, Education and Training Boards Ireland, the Probation Service, Maynooth University and former prisoners, the Taskforce aims to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Artificial Intelligence (14 May 2025)

James Lawless: I wish to note the launch last week of the Government’s new Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Service by Minister Jack Chambers. The new guidelines support the public service to implement guardrails to ensure that the rights of the individual are safeguarded and will aim to positively impact any AI practices. Key areas of focus by the HEA...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (14 May 2025)

James Lawless: As an autonomous body with academic and administrative freedom, Maynooth University is responsible for its own policy and programme development, including in relation to the programme the Deputy refers to. I am aware that the Turn to Teaching programme has been on a pilot basis and is part of the PATH 1 initiatives of the National Access Plan and I will be making an announcement regarding...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Contracts (14 May 2025)

James Lawless: The purchase of IT equipment for my Department is managed by the Department of Education in the first instance under a Memorandum of Understanding.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (14 May 2025)

James Lawless: The Deputy should note that Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous and consequently, the management of their day to day functions, including decisions on courses and academic disciplines, are matters for the individual institution in the context of their governance structures and policies. My Department does not have a role in the monitoring of additional new courses or academic...

Power of Higher Education, Research and Skills as Economic Enablers in a Changing World: Statements (13 May 2025)

James Lawless: I will make an opening statement and then the Chair of the Oireachtas committee, Deputy Erin McGreehan, will speak and the Minister of State, Deputy Marian Harkin, will close the debate at the end. I welcome that we have taken some time in the House today to address one of the most important issues that confronts a Government at any time, but particularly in changing and challenging times...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (13 May 2025)

James Lawless: The fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety of factors including the type of course and the student's access route. The assessment of a student’s application and the determination of the appropriate fee rate is a function of the institution attended. In terms of tuition fee supports, first time students undertaking a full-time undergraduate course may be eligible...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Measures (13 May 2025)

James Lawless: The Universities Act 1997, Technological Universities Act 2018, and the Institutes of Technology Act 2006 are among the principal legislative instruments governing higher education institutions (HEIs) in Ireland. These Acts grant HEIs autonomy over their academic and administrative functions, including admissions policies. Most applications to higher education are processed through the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (13 May 2025)

James Lawless: I would like to take this opportunity to thank Deputy Kerrane for her question, as well as for the opportunity to update her on the work my Department is doing in this area. Ensuring that individuals have the opportunity to access high-quality construction-related training and upskilling is a key priority for the Department. In recent years, we have significantly expanded the range of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (13 May 2025)

James Lawless: The main support available to assist students with the cost of attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Energy Usage (13 May 2025)

James Lawless: My Department operates from three locations, at St Stephen’s Green and Marlborough Street in Dublin (shared with Department of Education), and Tullamore, Co. Offaly (shared with Department of Education and other agencies on the one campus). Preparation work on the restoration and upgrading of the St. Stephen’s Green building has begun by the OPW, with a refurbishment due to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (13 May 2025)

James Lawless: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1228, 1227 and 1229 together. Thank you Deputy McGuinness for your question and related SETU questions. I propose to respond to all three PQs 23404/25, 23405/25, and 23406/25 together, related as they are to the work of my Department with SETU. I wish to begin by stating that my Department continues to support SETU, along with all five...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (13 May 2025)

James Lawless: SETU was the third technological university to complete the CINNTE review process in 2024 as required by the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) as part of their review cycle. As an agency of my Department QQI is responsible for the external quality assurance (QA) of higher education. In the case of SETU the review, conducted by an independent team of experts appointed by QQI, has...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (13 May 2025)

James Lawless: My Department is fully committed to supporting the continued development of SETU, along with all five Technological Universities, in line with our commitments towards the sector under the Programme for Government. SETU is a particularly vital part of the sector, representing as it does the only university presence in the South East region. SETU is already delivering on its potential as a...