Results 61-80 of 2,301 for at speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ukraine War (30 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: ...(BOTPs) are aligned with those available to Irish citizens, my Department, in common with all other Departments, is currently reviewing supports delivered in the context of Further and Higher Education. I anticipate that the outcome of this process will be concluded shortly, and updates will be communicated though the Government website at www.gov.ie/ Migration and Ireland

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Examinations (30 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The HPAT is independently administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) on behalf of the universities’ medical schools and the RCSI. The selection criteria and process for admission to medical schools is a matter for those institutions in line with their statutory autonomy in relation to academic affairs. Neither the Minister nor the Department has a function...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (24 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: This Government is committed to removing accommodation as a barrier to education. In November 2022, the Government approved the development of both a short and long term policy responses to increase the supply of student accommodation. In the short term, as part of this response, Government supported the activation of student accommodation projects in our Universities with planning...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (24 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: It is not possible to provide the requested information on a county-by-county basis. The information is available by Education and Training Board (ETB). Therefore, the following information is for Louth & Meath ETB (LMETB), which operates in the Louth and Meath. However, its catchment area may extend beyond these counties. The list of apprenticeship programmes currently available...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (24 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: As of the end of March 2024 there are 73 national apprenticeships available, offering a qualification between NFQ level 5 and NFQ level 10. This compares to 73 apprenticeships available in 2023 and 68 apprenticeships available in 2022. The list of apprenticeship courses that were available in each of the years 2022 and 2023 are provided in tabular form below, along with the list of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Question Heading for question(s) 198 (24 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: SOLAS are now in a position to provide the information pertaining to craft apprentice waiting times which can be found in the attached document broken down by parent ETB. A normal amount of time for an apprentice to wait for phase 2 off the job training is 3 to 6 months. Those waiting 6 months or longer are termed as part of a backlog waiting for training. The rapid implementation of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Contracts (24 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: My Department has had no engagement or provided departmental funding to the company referenced by the Deputy at any time since the creation of the Department in 2020.

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (23 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I hope so. I will have to leave the Chamber. The Minister of State, Deputy Collins, will take the next grouping. I remind the House of what the Bill states. Section 16(2) states: ...the Board shall be appointed by the Minister from among persons who, in the opinion of the Minister, have sufficient experience and expertise relating to matters connected with the functions of the Agency...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research Funding (23 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Government investment in research, development and innovation reached €964 million in 2022, an increase of 30% over 2017 when funding was €739 million. This investment in R&D includes funding for programmes that encompass all disciplines and all types of research. It should be noted that public funding for research is awarded according to the criteria set out in the various...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (23 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: My Department has been made aware that the college referred to by the Deputy will close and cease to deliver degree level programmes accredited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) with effect from September 2024. In preparation for the forthcoming closure the college has engaged with QQI’s statutory Protection of Enrolled Learners (PEL) process. The PEL process ensures that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (23 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible 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. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research and Development (23 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: ...of Impact 2030 is a collective effort by a range of Government Departments and their Agencies, each of which is responsible for advancing the R&I agenda in the sectors under their remits. The strategy is driven by DFHERIS by bringing together research funding and performing Departments and Agencies to ensure a cohesive, Whole-of-Government approach is achieved. As part of this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Medical Research and Training (23 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I recognise the significant benefits of access to and engagement with world class shared infrastructure and facilities, for our national research and innovation system and I support transnational collaborative research. As part of its whole of government strategic approach to drive research and innovation (Impact 2030), my Department directly manages some of Ireland's EU and other...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (23 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: ...places will be made available in September 2025 bringing the total number of additional places available to 50. These places are being be co-funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Department of Health. Students who take up one of these places will commit to applying and accepting, if offered, a position in the HSE as an intern...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Qualifications Recognition (18 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is the statutory body with responsibility for developing, promoting and maintaining the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). In line with the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012, the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) currently recognises the qualifications of Irish awarding bodies including...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (18 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Under the Student Grant scheme, SUSI grants are awarded to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the conditions of funding, including nationality and residency. The scheme has a statutory underpinning and is operated in accordance with the provisions of the relevant primary legislation, namely the Student Support Act 2011. In order to be...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: An Garda Síochána (9 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: During 2012 and 2013, 139 Garda stations were closed as part of An Garda Síochána’s rationalisation programme. The table below outlines the Garda stations in County Clare that were closed as part of this programme and the status of each: Garda Station Current Status Broadford Sale agreed. Sold at public auction. ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (9 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 333 and 335 together. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility on behalf of the State for managing and maintaining a substantial and complex estate of approximately 2,500 properties. This extensive and diverse portfolio of State properties includes office accommodation for all Government Departments, the property estate for An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (9 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: It has long been the policy of the OPW to seek to reunite the historic demesne lands of Castletown Estate. The Commissioners of Public Works acquired Castletown House and 13 acres of land in 1994. In 1997, one hundred acres south of the house was acquired. The farmyard adjacent to the house was acquired in 2001. In 2006, lands associated with the Batty Langley Lodge were acquired with former...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (9 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme - Ireland’s largest study of flood risk, was completed by the Office of Public Works in 2018. This studied the flood risk for two-thirds of the population against their risk of flooding from rivers and the sea. An output of the CFRAM Programme, the Government’s Flood Risk Management Plans provide the evidence...