Results 7,341-7,360 of 45,495 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 May 2022)

Simon Harris: Addressing the costs of education for students and their families is a major priority for me. That is why I commissioned the review of the Student Grant Scheme, which was published on 4 May. The review involved wide stakeholder engagement, an extensive consultation with students and research into the costs of higher education. The review identifies a number of issues, including: - the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 May 2022)

Simon Harris: I very much recognise the heavy demands on families from outgoings of all kinds, including mortgage payments, but also many other unavoidable costs of living. What is very important in any scheme which involves means assessment is that it is as fair as possible to all applicants. The assessment of means under the Scheme is based on gross income from all sources before the deduction...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research and Development (19 May 2022)

Simon Harris: I would like to thank the Deputy for this most timely question. As you may be aware, yesterday I had the privilege of launching Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy. The overarching purpose of Impact 2030is to maximise the impact of research and innovation on critical national priorities. Grounded in extensive consultation and analysis, it will progress objectives...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (19 May 2022)

Simon Harris: Key to the delivery of the ambition set out in the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-25is 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. Under this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 May 2022)

Simon Harris: The Deputy will be aware that I am conscious of the financial difficulties faced by students. To address this and further alleviate the pressures caused by the rise in costs for students and their families, I have already initiated improvements for the academic year 2022/23 by increasing all student grant maintenance payments, including the special rate of grant, by €200 per year. I...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 May 2022)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 167 together. I am very committed to the development of stronger North-South links in Further Education and Training and this continues to be a major focus for my Department under its Statement of Strategy. There is good co-operation which currently exists between Education and Training Boards, and the Regional Colleges in Northern Ireland,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 May 2022)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 186 together. I am happy to give an update on the new National Access Plan - the new plan will succeed the third National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education. Work on finalising the next Plan is almost complete. My Department and the HEA has led a public consultation process and has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders in the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (19 May 2022)

Simon Harris: Appropriately enabled, TUs will significantly enhance progress towards national priorities in the areas of access to higher education, research-informed teaching and learning, research capacity building, supporting enterprise, skills retention and creation, fostering innovation and knowledge transfer and enhancing regional development. In line with the recommendations of the reports from...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (19 May 2022)

Simon Harris: I wish to advise the Deputy that we have not received a proposal to locate an apprenticeship centre of excellence in Drogheda, County Louth. However, it is my view that students in Drogheda should be able to access all necessary and appropriate third level education facilities within the wider area. I am pleased to confirm Louth Meath ETB have put forward a proposal under the Strategic...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 May 2022)

Simon Harris: Following representations from the Irish Refugee Council, NASC and others in relation to Stamp 4 visa holders, I have asked my officials to look at the issue raised today by the Deputy, including engagement with the Department of Justice and Equality. I have also asked them to look at the wider issues of alignment of SUSI and free fees supports with immigration permissions, in collaboration...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (19 May 2022)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 146 together. At present the Department allocates recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to HEA designated higher education institutions. Funding is distributed via the Recurrent Grant Allocation Model (RGAM) which currently utilises a 'two pot' system. In 2016, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) appointed...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 May 2022)

Simon Harris: I am happy to give an update on the new National Access Plan - the new plan will succeed the third National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education. Work on finalising the next Plan is almost complete. My Department and the HEA has led a public consultation process and has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders in the preparation of this Plan. The New Plan seeks to target...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 May 2022)

Simon Harris: The mental health and wellbeing of students is a priority for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic which has brought increased stress and anxiety levels for students. My Department has progressed a number of initiatives, in partnership with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and Higher Education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 May 2022)

Simon Harris: The National Skills Strategy, 2016- 2025, is the overarching framework for skills policy in Ireland.One of its’ key tenets is partnership between Government and key skills stakeholders, including the enterprise sector and providers of education and training programmes. The National Skills Council (NSC) and nine Regional Skills Fora (RSF), created under the National Skills Strategy,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (19 May 2022)

Simon Harris: I am conscious of how drug use can hinder the progression and participation of students in tertiary education. The National Drugs and Alcohol Strategy (2017-2025) represents a framework for dealing with the issues of Drug and Alcohol use in Ireland. In introducing the strategy, the Taoiseach noted that Ireland has a problem with substance misuse. Rates of drug use in Ireland have risen...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (19 May 2022)

Simon Harris: Addressing costs as a barrier to education for students and their families is a major priority for me. That is why I commissioned the review of the Student Grant Scheme, which was published on 4 May. The review involved wide stakeholder engagement, an extensive consultation with students and research into the costs of higher education. The review identifies a number of issues, including: -...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 May 2022)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132, 140 and 153 together. 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. The Government has now made important decisions about the sustainable model for future funding of higher education. Critically, we have definitively...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 May 2022)

Simon Harris: I understand that Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB (MSLETB) has identified projects associated with Mayo College of Further Education for possible funding under the new capital investment programmes in the further education and training sector, namely the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund and the Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund (SIUF). This capital investment will support additional...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (19 May 2022)

Simon Harris: I understand that the Student Hub project referred to by the Deputy is one of three projects identified by Munster Technological University (MTU) for possible funding under the new Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund (TSSPF). This new capital investment programme, which I announced in February 2022, will support additional capacity, upgrading and enhancement of current...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 May 2022)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 174 together. The Implementation Group to which the Deputy refers will - per the Government's response to the Cassells Report, Funding the Future - be based on partnership between Government, the higher education sector and wider societal and enterprise interests. This will entail a stronger focus on measuring and verifying performance from...