Results 7,821-7,840 of 45,495 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (31 Mar 2022)

Simon Harris: A number of local authorities throughout the country employ apprentices, with around 50 apprentices currently employed by these bodies. The majority of the apprentices are employed in craft trades such as plumbing, carpentry and joinery, and electrical. A number are also employed in consortia programmes such as accounting technician and cyber security. A key commitment of the ‘Action...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Schemes (31 Mar 2022)

Simon Harris: I am informed by the HEA that there is extensive engagement between Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) and DEIS schools. In an analysis carried out by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) 98% of post-primary DEIS schools had links or engagement with a HEI. The particular issue raised by the Deputy is not one that I am aware of. Where a DEIS school wishes to establish links or a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Records (31 Mar 2022)

Simon Harris: Based on the information supplied, a search of my Department's record holdings has been carried out. No records have been found which match the details provided. If at any stage Ms Rellis or her representatives can provide the Department with further details, the most appropriate avenues for requesting personal information are: - Subject Access Request (SAR): Article 15 of the GDPR gives...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: International Protection (30 Mar 2022)

Simon Harris: In line with the European Council Decision of 4th March, the Government are applying the rights afforded under the International Protection Act, 2015 to: (a) Ukrainian nationals residing in the Ukraine before 24th February 2022; (b) Stateless persons, and nationals of third countries other than the Ukraine, who benefited from international protection or equivalent national protection in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (30 Mar 2022)

Simon Harris: As set out in the ‘Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025’, the National Apprenticeship Alliance will have an advisory role in relation to the development of the apprenticeship system and will oversee and sanction the development of new apprenticeships over the coming years. Members of the Alliance will be responsible for a number of actions including representing...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Qualifications Recognition (30 Mar 2022)

Simon Harris: TheQualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Act 2019 contains legislative provisions to provide for the establishment of a new national Learner Protection Fund and the International Education Mark (IEM). The new Learner Protection Fund will be established and administered by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the national agency with responsibility for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (30 Mar 2022)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the total expenditure each year since 2011 on travel allowances, accommodation allowance and meal allowance for apprentices is currently being collated and will be sent to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Capital Expenditure Programme (30 Mar 2022)

Simon Harris: On the 14thFebruary last I announced the parameters of an ambitious new phase of capital investment in the further education and training sector. The investment will include: - A FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund, supporting projects to drive reform of the FET sector, including consolidation of provision in high quality facilities, integration of further education and training,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: International Protection (30 Mar 2022)

Simon Harris: The Deputy will be aware that as many Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland are traumatised, the Government's priority is to provide sanctuary and immediate supports such as food and housing. Therefore, only limited data is gathered by the Irish Visa Authorities, and as such, there is no available data on the number of students arriving in Ireland. However, through engagements between...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: International Protection (30 Mar 2022)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will appreciate, the situation in Ukraine has developed very rapidly over the past number of weeks and events are continuing to unfold on a daily basis. In this uncertain environment, officials of my Department are continuing to gather as much information as possible in order to formulate recommendations for appropriate policy responses across a range of areas. Displaced...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: International Protection (30 Mar 2022)

Simon Harris: The Deputy will appreciate that finding accommodation for the numbers of people displaced by the war in Ukraine who are expected to come to Ireland over the coming months is challenging and all of Government is working to ensure that the refugees, many of whom are traumatized, have immediate access to basic needs such as food and shelter. The Government response to the crisis in Ukraine...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (30 Mar 2022)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware the waiting list for craft apprenticeship training results from the adverse impact of Covid public health restrictions on the operation of the education and training sector. In responding to these restrictions it has been a priority to seek to facilitate, whenever possible, access to onsite teaching and learning for essential skills-based activities such as...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (30 Mar 2022)

Simon Harris: Where an apprentice pays an Annual Student Contribution (ASC), the amount of ASC charged is calculated on a pro rata basis, determined by the time which they spend in the institution during any given academic year. In cases where training is delivered in an Education and Training Board education centre, there is no contribution required from the apprentice. The ASC applies to all learners...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Policies (29 Mar 2022)

Simon Harris: My Department is working on a range of responses for the people of Ukraine. We are in the process of identifying a central portal for students seeking to engage in third level education here and I hope that will be ready shortly. Any Irish student should apply through the Central Admissions Office.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Schemes (29 Mar 2022)

Simon Harris: The main support available to assist postgraduate students with the cost of attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved full-time course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (29 Mar 2022)

Simon Harris: My Department provides funding for postgraduate research through both Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the Irish Research Council (IRC). Funding is also provided by other statutory funders and, of course, private funders. Stipends are typically a feature of such funding globally, providing an income to the awardee in recognition of the need to devote themselves on a full-time basis to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (29 Mar 2022)

Simon Harris: Further to the lifting of restrictions earlier this year, the opening up of society, including the further education, higher education and research sector, has been ongoing. The Safe Return Plan, which has facilitated the safe return of staff and students to onsite activity since June 2020, supports this wider opening of the sector and continues to provide a comprehensive framework for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (29 Mar 2022)

Simon Harris: I wish to advise the Deputy that all of the information requested concerning the chairpersons of higher education institutions; the term of office of each; the number of terms served by each; the method of appointment, annual remuneration and expenses for each in each of the past five is not readily available in my Department. Officials will arrange for the compilation of the information...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (29 Mar 2022)

Simon Harris: The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science does not hold any retainers with outside organisations. A retainer is defined here as when an advance payment is made to secure the services of an individual or organisation for use when required.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (29 Mar 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. 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). These funds are allocated to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) on...