Results 7,621-7,640 of 47,419 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The Government recognises third level education can be a significant cost for families and students. Following on from improvements made to the Student Grant Scheme in Budget 2022, a range of further measures were announced to enhance the scheme as part of Budget 2023. In response to the ongoing cost of living pressures, I secured a significant cost-of-living package for third level...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I recognise that third level education can be a significant cost for families and students. The main financial support available to students is the Student Grant Scheme. The means-tested Scheme is administered by SUSI on behalf of my Department. Under the Scheme, students can apply for supports in respect of fees and maintenance. In response to the ongoing cost of living...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Springboard+ is co-funded by the Government of Ireland, via the National Training Fund, and the European Union. Springboard+ is managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science. It should be noted that to date no funding has been drawn down from the European Commission to support Springboard+...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, fee and maintenance 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, previous academic attainment and means. With regard to the residency criterion for the Student Grant Scheme, in order to be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 466, 467 and 469 together. One of my goals as Minister is to ensure that potential learners have access to the educational pathways that allow them reach their potential in a way that meets the very broad and rapidly changing needs of our labour force, the economy and society. It is therefore my objective to ensure that there is access into either further...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 468, 470, 471 and 475 together. A priority focus of my Department is to strengthen the skills ecosystem in Ireland to ensure it has the agility and flexibility to adapt to changing priorities in the skills landscape and the rapid, technologically driven changes that we are seeing in the world of work. This is essential to ensuring that Ireland continues to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Higher education costs encompass both costs to the higher education system in delivering provision and costs to the student in accessing higher education. The Deputy will be aware that the period 2008 to 2015 saw a significant retrenchment in public funding to the higher education system. However, since 2016, public investment in higher education has again been increasing. In...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department has made significant changes in the further and higher education, research, innovation and science sectors since its establishment in 2020, and are looking forward to seeing these sectors flourish over this current year and the years to follow. With 400,000 people enrolled in learning across further and higher education, the Department is responsible for a fairly sizable sector....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Apprenticeships are employer led demand-driven educational and training programmes that aim to develop the skills of an apprentice in order to meet the needs of industry and the labour market. As apprentices are employees the demand for and number of apprentices is primarily dictated by the employer base in any area or sector. There has been a marked increase in craft apprentice registrations...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I am actively addressing the difficulties faced by students in accessing affordable student accommodation. In recognition of the construction cost challenges and associated impact on affordability of student accommodation, on 29 November 2022, I secured Government approval to develop both short and medium term policy responses to activate supply of affordable student accommodation. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: International Bodies (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: In November last year, I indicated in Dáil Éireann that my Department will prepare a proposal for Government to consider joining CERN. In order to ensure appropriate due diligence, this proposal for Government can be expected by the third quarter of 2023. Officials from my Department are now liaising with CERN regarding the total cost of membership, the application process and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Developing enhanced capacity within the tertiary education system to deliver on skills needs in areas of strategic importance to public services and the wider economy is a major priority for me. The Programme for Government commits the Department of Health to working with the education sectors, regulators, and professional bodies to improve the availability of health professionals and reform...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Significant engagement is ongoing between my Department, the Department of Health, and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, to develop a joined-up approach to meet system level demand across the health sector. The Higher Education Authority is also currently running a process to identify where further additional capacity could be built in the higher...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Good Friday Agreement (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to interpret the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement, which I understand does not provide any classification of persons as described by the Deputy in his question.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 484 and 485 together. It has not been possible to respond to the Deputy's question within the time available. I will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, a 'Contract of Sale' for those buying and selling a property specifies exactly what is being sold and the terms and conditions of a sale. A contract, once signed by both parties, binds the parties to the completion of the transaction. Disputes regarding contracts are, as such, a matter for the law and the courts. There are no plans at present to introduce or amend...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reviews (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 487, 498 and 499 together. All immigration related programmes are kept under constant review to ensure their effectiveness and appropriateness, taking into consideration international and EU level developments. As you may now be aware, today I obtained approval from Government to close the Immigrant Investment Programme (IIP) to further applications with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Schemes (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: It has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed.I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, the Prison Service must accept all prisoners committed by the Courts. As such the Irish Prison Service has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time, and the prison system is, of course, subject to peaks and troughs. Where the number of prisoners exceeds the maximum capacity in any prison, Irish Prison Service officials make every...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Schemes (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 490 and 491 together. The Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) was established in 2014 to facilitate the recruitment of locum doctors operating via agency for short term periods (6 months) who could not be facilitated by the Employment Permit system as agency work is not supported by that route. The Department of Justice, Department of Enterprise, Trade and...