Results 8,041-8,060 of 46,267 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (24 May 2022)

Simon Harris: I understand my officials have sought clarifications from the Deputy on the question asked and are awaiting a response. Once clarifications have been received, we will be able to provide the requested information.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (24 May 2022)

Simon Harris: I understand my officials have sought clarifications from the Deputy on the question asked and are awaiting a response. Once clarifications have been received, we will be able to provide the requested information.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (24 May 2022)

Simon Harris: My department’s officials have raised this issue with SOLAS who have advised that an apprentice employed by a company registered in the state can work cross-border with the same company in Northern Ireland once the following requirements are complied with: 1. the company is approved to train apprentices by SOLAS 2. Complies with state taxation requirements 3. Retains a registered...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (24 May 2022)

Simon Harris: In considering this issue it is important to reflect that the current Higher Education Authority (HEA) approach has developed over time and that the sector has been consulted in developing the allocation model. Reforming core funding including the allocation model must be positioned within a wider context of performance, governance and reform across the tertiary education and training system...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Visas (24 May 2022)

Simon Harris: Officials in my Department regularly engage with their counterparts in the Department of Justice in relation to the student immigration system and this matter has been discussed in that context. From the outturn of these engagements, my understanding is that this matter is currently under the consideration of the Minister for Justice. The administration and regulations of immigration...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (24 May 2022)

Simon Harris: Section 130 of the Higher Education Authority Bill (as amended) amends the Housing Finance Agency Act 1981 to broaden the type of higher education institution to which the Housing Finance Agency can lend to, with relevant consents. Enabling appropriate access to finance is one of the significant requirements for the delivery by higher education institutions of purpose built student...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (24 May 2022)

Simon Harris: The Student Grant Scheme, which is administered by SUSI on behalf of my department, is demand led and as such the numbers applying each year can change for reasons such as demographics and the expansion and extension of alternative educational opportunities. The data for 2021/2022 is not currently available as SUSI are still finalising processing.  However, to date,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (24 May 2022)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to this issue has been requested from SOLAS. Officials in my Department are engaging with SOLAS to confirm the position and the details will be communicated to the Deputy by SOLAS as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Government Communications (24 May 2022)

Simon Harris: Please find the details for my offices below. If the Deputy wishes to discuss any matter with me directly, please contact those numbers and I will be in touch. Contact details: (01) 618 3805 Oireachtas (01) 889 2442 Department (01) 281 3727 Constituency simon.harris@oireachtas.ie

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (24 May 2022)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to this issue has been requested from SOLAS. Officials in my Department are engaging with SOLAS to confirm the position and the details will be communicated to the Deputy by SOLAS as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (24 May 2022)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to this issue has been requested from SOLAS. Officials in my Department are engaging with SOLAS to confirm the position and the details will be communicated to the Deputy by SOLAS as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Investigations (24 May 2022)

Simon Harris: There have been no investigations of the sort referred to by the Deputy commissioned by my Department since its inception in June 2020. 

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Language Schools (24 May 2022)

Simon Harris: The information as requested by the Deputy is not readily available within the Department.   My Department is in the process of engaging with the agency in question and will revert with a reply to the Deputy directly as soon as it is received.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (24 May 2022)

Simon Harris: I thank the committee for the invitation to discuss our plans for the sustainable future funding of the higher education sector, the major reforms of technological universities and other important initiatives under way in our Department. I previously stated to this committee that the Government will not be found wanting when it comes to addressing the question of sustainable funding for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (24 May 2022)

Simon Harris: I echo the Deputy's comments on the apprentices. We need to hear more from apprentices. We hear a lot from agencies that represent good people, but the voice of the apprentice needs to be heard. It is good the committee invited them to attend today. On timelines, the Deputy's question is a valid one. We now have a shared understanding across the sector, and I think across the Dáil...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (24 May 2022)

Simon Harris: I thank the Senator. On the cost of living, there are measures the Government needs to look at specifically for students and their families. A number of the measures we have taken as a Government benefit students. In fairness to the Senator's party leader, the Minister, Deputy Ryan, one of the most impactful has been the change brought about in public transport costs. They have reduced...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (24 May 2022)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Dolan for all her work in these areas. I am glad the Senator reminded me because one of the key objectives that I want to see from the €307 million of additional funding into the sector is that we do not talk about it as €307 million. What that roughly means to people is we are spending much more on everybody's education every year. That will achieve more...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (24 May 2022)

Simon Harris: The point I was making about the annual debate and pensions and the like was that it seems to me peculiar that we went through a period of austerity and then a period of significant economic growth, and many areas saw improvements and upticks in terms of supports, grants, reductions in Government charges, yet this area did not. Up until the previous budget the grants did not increase, and up...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (24 May 2022)

Simon Harris: I think I agree with everything the Deputy said. I thank her for welcoming the positive changes that have been made. I would be the first to acknowledge that they are a start and there is much more to do, as the SUSI review shows clearly and comprehensively. The good thing about the SUSI review is that we now know what we need to do. For the first time, we have identified the real cost of...