Results 7,061-7,080 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Capital Expenditure Programme (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: I am delighted to advise that the new Technology, Society and Innovation building at Maynooth University is at the final handover and demonstrations stage with the substantial completion cert expected to issue next week. The building will be available for use by the staff by the end of next week and for students at the start of the academic year. This state of the art building will...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Bodies (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy may be aware, Section 20 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act, 2017, set out that restoration for public servants with annualised basic salaries above €150,000 would be completed by Ministerial Order by 1stJuly 2022. In accordance with the legislation, an Order under Section 20 of the Act was laid before the Oireachtas on the 30thof June. The Department of Public...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Qualifications Recognition (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013, and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Quarries) Regulations, 2008, construction and quarrying workers undergo training, assessment, certification and registration for their roles. Additionally under the 2013 Regulations, persons undertaking on-site security work and persons or classes of persons as may be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Mental Health Services (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 491 and 492 together. The mental health and wellbeing of students is a priority for my Department, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic which has brought increased stress and anxiety levels for students. Over the past two years, we have allocated €10 million to higher education institutions to assist with supports for students. Each college...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Disability Services (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for the question on this matter.  I recently announced new initiatives to support autistic students and those with an intellectual disability access third level education. The proposals, which will form part of the proposed new National Access Plan, will allocate ring-fenced funding of €3 million a year to 2025 so higher education institutions can implement...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Functions (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: In response to the Deputy's request to obtain the list of all internal structures within the Department, including units, steering groups, etc. I provide the Organisation Chart of the Department (Appendix A) and a list of other structures: - Management Board - Ministerial Management Board - Audit Committee - Risk Committee - Organisation Design Steering Group - PO Network - Internal Group...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cost of Living Issues (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: On 4th May I launched the Funding the Future framework which includes the Government's policy response to the Cassells and DG Reform Reviews on the future of higher education and which sets out my intention to implement a progressive range of measures to address costs as a barrier to education, in the context of overall Budgetary decision-making.  The Government has now made...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (30 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: Of the State or semi-State bodies under the remit of my Department, the Higher Education Authority and Léargas are both registered charities.  The Higher Education Authority conduct work under the charitable purpose of the advancement of education. Education Bodies are currently exempt from the requirements under the Charities Act to provide an annual statement of account and to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (30 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: The decision on eligibility for student grant applications is a matter for the centralised grant awarding authority, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland).   For student grant purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian, or as independent mature students.    Further information...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (30 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: Apprenticeship is a demand driven educational and training programme that aims to develop the skills of an apprentice in order to meet the needs of industry and the labour market. The development of new apprenticeships is employer-led, with consortia comprising of employer groups and educational providers coming together to identify a skills need and appropriate apprenticeship response in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (30 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: On 4th May I launched the Funding the Future framework which includes the Government's policy response to the Cassells and DG Reform Reviews on the future of higher education and which sets out my intention to implement a progressive range of measures to address costs as a barrier to education, in the context of overall Budgetary decision-making.   The Government has now made...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (30 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: Under the Further Education and Training Act (2013), SOLAS has statutory responsibility for planning, funding, and co-ordinating Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland. My officials have referred your query to SOLAS for direct reply on this individual matter. If you do not receive a response from SOLAS within 30 days, please do come back to my office for further follow-up.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (30 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: Ensuring an appropriate pipeline of suitably qualified healthcare professionals is a key priority. The challenges presented by Covid-19 have given extra urgency to the need to address the long-term workforce planning needs of the health system. My Department has been engaging with the Department of Health on the number of places available in areas where the HSE has identified significant...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (30 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: My Department is strongly committed to supporting the health 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.  I recently announced an additional 1,056 college places for the upcoming academic year, which includes healthcare and welfare...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (30 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: The main financial support available to eligible students attending full-time further and higher education courses is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland).  The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI to determine.  Under the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Gender Recognition (29 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: Higher Education Institutions are autonomous institutions within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutions of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006 and the Technological Universities Act 2018. Under this legislation, the institutions are academically independent and are entitled to regulate their academic affairs and administrative processes, including in relation to fees charged for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Overseas Study Placements (29 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: Officials in my Department have been working closely on this issue with their colleagues in the Department of Education and the Department of Foreign Affairs, and liaising with administrations in the countries of interest to Irish students. This work has been informed by the experience of the 2021 Leaving Certificate. The main countries of interest for Leaving Certificate students who...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (29 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) is allocated to Higher Education Institutions to assist participating students in both temporary and ongoing financial need, where students apply depending on their particular circumstances. This fund is managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS)....

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Second Stage (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: I am delighted to be in Seanad Éireann for Second Stage of this important legislation, the Higher Education Authority Bill 2022. I am pleased to have this opportunity to address the House on Second Stage. It has been 50 years since the Higher Education Authority Act 1971 established the Higher Education Authority, HEA. That is the context. It is 50 years since we have legislated in...

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Second Stage (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: I am sure that can be arranged. We will make copies available. The Bill provides a legal basis for the functions of the HEA and the role of the Minister. HEIs are independent entities established under statute or as not-for-profit or private institutions. The HEA is the statutory body that acts as an intermediary between autonomous HEIs and the State. Crucially, the HEA is responsible...