Results 7,061-7,080 of 45,495 for speaker:Simon Harris

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...

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

Simon Harris: As I think Senator Norris will like to hear, Part 14 amends the Housing Finance Agency Act 1981 to amend the definition of "institution of higher education" to which the Housing Finance Agency can provide support. I suggest that we take the rest of my script, which outlines the provisions of the remaining sections, as read. I look forward to debating the Bill with Senators.

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

Simon Harris: I am not accountable for the monarch.

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

Simon Harris: I am blushing.

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

Simon Harris: I will not use my prepared script in the interests of trying to respond to a number of the very interesting and important issues that were raised. I am glad to be back in Seanad Éireann. Unlike in the other House, I am not a Member here. The Seanad orders its business as the Members wish to order its business. I am here to genuinely engage in good faith. We genuinely engaged on the...

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

Simon Harris: I am just going through the thematic issues. Senator Hoey and a number of other Senators brought up the issue of guidelines; that the guideline has to be done and if that is not done one might be in trouble with the HEA. This also needs to be seen both in law and in context. The policy intent is compliance and I accept Senator Mullen's challenge to show that and to talk through it because...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: I understand from my officials that there is ongoing engagement on this matter between University management and trade union representatives. I also understand that the parties are being supported in their endeavors by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and therefore it would not be appropriate for me to become involved in the matter. The WRC works to bring the relevant parties...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Bodies (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: Information on the State boards of the aegis bodies under the remit of my Department, including details of the persons currently serving on each board, is set out in the attached document. For the Deputy's information, details of the State Bodies that fall under the remit of my Department, are available on the gov.ie website at the following link; Boards under Department of Further and Higher...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research and Development (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: Impact 2030 will intensify our commitment to Ireland’s knowledge-based economy, increasing and deepening enterprise research and innovation activity, which will be central to long-term economic and social sustainability at national and regional level. My Department works closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which will be leading on Impact 2030's commitment...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research and Development (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: Impact 2030 includes plans for a comprehensive impact review.  Given its relevance and importance to both existing investment and the nature of any future investment in research and innovation, it will be progressed as part of the Strategy's first Work Programme, i.e. during the 2022 to 2024 period.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research and Development (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 684, 685 and 686 together. Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy sets out a whole of Government ambition for research and innovation in Ireland out to 2030. The overarching purpose of Impact 2030 is to maximise the impact of research and innovation on multiple national priorities. Grounded in extensive consultation and analysis, it...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Flexible Work Practices (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: There are 223 (213.37 FTE[1]) people currently employed by my Department. A phased return to a physical attendance in the workplace commenced for staff members in the Department following the easing of Government restrictions on 21 January and most staff are currently attending the office for at least two days per week and working remotely for the remaining days.  Following the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: Reckonable income under the Student Grant Scheme is household income from all sources including income from a student’s employment. When assessing reckonable income under the Student Grant scheme it is the previous year’s income that is assessed. Therefore applications to SUSI for the academic year 2022/2023 are assessed based on household income earned in 2021. The increase...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: The complex nature of the student grant scheme means that there is a risk that some students receive grant payments for which they are not eligible, including for reasons beyond the direct control of SUSI. This can also result in some instances in fee grants being paid to institutions on behalf of students. To mitigate the risk of over payments, SUSI implements procedural and system-based...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research Funding (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: I can only respond to the Deputy’s question in terms of the student numbers supported by my Department through Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council, and on student numbers as reported by the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the latest Higher Education Research and Development Survey (HERD) survey. There are many other research funders in the national system,...

Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (22 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: I have an amendment in this grouping, amendment No. 56. It provides that the approval of the board is needed by the CEO of the HEA to determine such other conditions of funding a funded body must comply with. I am not proposing to accept amendments Nos. 53, 54, 55, 57, 69 or 78. There has always been a balance between the role of the chief executive officer and that of the board. Through...