Results 7,101-7,120 of 45,495 for speaker:Simon Harris

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

Simon Harris: I am not in a position to accept these amendments. I will take the opportunity to outline why. With regard to No. 11, in the name of Deputy Conway-Walsh, I will be really clear that I too want to see a dramatic improvement with regard to precarious employment in the sector, as do the Government and everybody else in this country. We have to acknowledge that it is a real issue and I do....

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

Simon Harris: I thank Deputies Conway-Walsh and Ó Ríordáin for their engagement on this topic. I am not in a position to accept the amendments but I will clarify why and let the Deputies know of the work we have done. This Bill does not affect the autonomy or academic freedom of universities or any other higher education institution. I would defend to the death the importance of academic...

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

Simon Harris: I said on Committee Stage that, implicitly or explicitly, I have no interest whatsoever in the privatisation of the higher education system. We have recently taken decisions in respect of funding higher education recognising that it is a public good. The absolutely clear policy agenda is to support and enhance publicly funded higher education institutions. As the Deputy, in fairness,...

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

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 3: In page 11, line 29, after “Act” to insert “, other than sections 85, 86, 87, 95, 97, 98, 99, 100,101, 102, 103* and 105**". This point will not come as any surprise to the Dáil because it arises from our discussions on Committee Stage. Amendment No. 3 is on the provisions relating to the incorporation of educational institutions into...

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

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 4: In page 12, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: “ “Act of 2011” means the Student Support Act 2011;”. All of the amendments in this grouping are in my name. Amendment No. 4 is a technical amendment to the interpretation of the Student Support Act 2011 into the Bill. Amendment No. 132 provides the Minister with the...

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

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 5: In page 12, between lines 32 and 33, to insert the following: “ “Gaeltacht Language Planning Area” has the meaning it has in Part 2 of the Gaeltacht Act 2012; “Gaeltacht Service Town” has the meaning it has in Part 2 of the Gaeltacht Act 2012;”.

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

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 6: In page 13, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following: “ “Irish Language Network” has the meaning it has in Part 2 of the Gaeltacht Act 2012;”.

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

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 7: In page 13, between lines 33 and 34, to insert the following: “(3) In this Act, references to environmental development and sustainability shall be construed as references to development and actions that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs and, without prejudice to the generality of the...

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

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 8: In page 14, to delete lines 13 and 14 and substitute the following: “5. (1) The enactments specified in Part 1 of Schedule 1 are repealed to the extent specified in column (3) of that Part of that Schedule and the enactments specified in Part 2 of that Schedule are revoked to the extent specified in column (3) of that Part of that Schedule.”. ...

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

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for the work he has done on this matter. I assure the House that we as a Department have liaised closely with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, including the director of the Irish language in the Department, on bringing forward our amendments to ensure we are in line with the policy of the Government and our collective policy...

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

Simon Harris: I am speaking specifically to amendments Nos. 5, 6, 16, 37, 39, 58, 59 and 62. The reason I list them at the start is to indicate that I am now bringing forward a further eight amendments on Report Stage in order to strengthen the provision relating to the Irish language in the Bill. 6 o’clock I am sincere when I say that I enjoyed our Committee Stage discussion, particularly...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Policies (22 Jun 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: Departmental Policies (22 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: Departmental Policies (22 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: Departmental Policies (22 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 153, 154 and 155 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: Departmental Policies (22 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: Currently, Ireland performs well in attracting international students. Thirty percent (30%) of Irish doctoral students are from other countries, compared to an EU average of 19%. Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy, which I launched on the 18thof May, places talent at the heart of our research and innovation system. One of its objectives is to attract the best...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (21 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: Performance and Equality Budgeting is an integral part of the current budgeting framework of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) and metrics are reviewed as part of the Revised Estimates process. DFHERIS Higher education context and impact indicators that specifically address socio-economic diversity in higher education include: -...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (21 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: Apprenticeship Programmes (21 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: Key to the delivery of the ambition set out in the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-25 is a new organisational architecture, involving a National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) and National Apprenticeship Alliance (NAA). The Office will have responsibility for all aspects of the management, oversight, and development of the apprenticeship system and for implementing the Action Plan....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Visas (21 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: The administration and regulation of immigration permissions, including the entry and residence conditions of non-EEA students who are granted a Stamp 2 immigration permission, are a matter for the Minister for Justice and queries related to these permissions should be addressed to my colleague in the first instance. Stamp 2 permissions allow non-EEA students to come to Ireland to study...