Results 7,141-7,160 of 46,267 for speaker:Simon Harris

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...

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

Simon Harris: The core funding for the Student Assistance Fund for 2022/23 is now €17.1 million. Additional provision was allocated in Budget 2023. Final allocations will be decided shortly, and I will write to the Deputy shortly with the ATU allocation.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, progression, previous academic attainment and means. Notwithstanding this, under Article 15(8) of the Student Grant Scheme 2021, the awarding authority...

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

Simon Harris: In Budget 2023, I gave priority to introducing a significant package of measures that will see students and families directly benefit and will help them tackle the challenges posed by the increased cost of living. In 2022 these measures include: - Higher education students who are eligible for my Department's free fees schemes will benefit from a once off reduction in the student...

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: Third Level Fees (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: In Budget 2023, I gave priority to introducing a significant package of measures that will see students and families directly benefit and will help them tackle the challenges posed by the increased cost of living. In 2022 these measures include: - Higher education students who are eligible for my Department's free fees schemes will benefit from a once off reduction in the student...

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: Research and Development (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: Longford Westmeath ETB has submitted an application for development of a new FET centre and electric vehicle maintenance centre of excellence at Columb Barracks in Mullingar. This report is currently part of a SOLAS-led assessment process, together with other proposals from the sector. The outcome of this initial strategic assessment is expected to be considered by my Department shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Harris: Housing for All confirmed the need for a borrowing framework for Technological Universities (TUs). This should be developed in the first instance for the provision of student accommodation. The Technological Universities Act 2018 provides for the establishment of a borrowing framework by the HEA with the approval of the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, and...