Results 8,261-8,280 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 578, 586, 588 and 589 together. On 21 January, the Government announced the lifting of a number of restrictions previously in place to curb the rate of infection and transmission of COVID19. On that basis, planning for the opening up of society, including the further education, higher education and research sector, has commenced. Arising from the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: The Climate Action Plan 2021 provides a detailed plan for taking decisive action to achieve a 51% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and setting us on a path to reach net-zero emissions by no later than 2050, as committed to in the Programme for Government and set out in the Climate Act 2021. It will put Ireland on a more sustainable path; cut emissions; create a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: The Climate Action Plan 2021 provides a detailed plan for taking decisive action to achieve a 51% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and setting us on a path to reach net-zero emissions by no later than 2050, as committed to in the Programme for Government and set out in the Climate Act 2021. It will put Ireland on a more sustainable path; cut emissions; create a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: Higher Education Institutions are autonomous institutions within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutions of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006 and the Technological Universities Act 2018. Under this legislation the institutions are academically independent and are entitled to regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes, including in relation to admissions and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: The Central Applications Office (CAO) is a not-for-profit company created by the Irish higher education institutions, who have delegated to the CAO the task of centrally processing Irish and EU applications for their undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses. The higher education institutions retain decision-making powers in relation to admissions, and instruct the CAO to make offers to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Process (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: Sections 9, 14, 23, 25 to 33 and 38 of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Act 2019 are yet to be commenced. These sections pertain to new statutory functions for Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) which will empower the agency to conduct Corporate Fitness assessments of education providers, to establish a new national fund for the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: The data requested by the Deputy is not available. The key source of statistics on students in higher education is the HEA's student records system (SRS) which records enrolments as at March of every academic year, giving a single point of reference. Therefore data is not available on a national level on students who leave their programme during the course of the academic year. However...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: The data requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following table. These figures reflect the total of all medical graduates for the years in question and cover all EU and non-EU students. The figures for 2021 graduations and number of expected graduates in 2022 are not currently available. HEI Course Name 2018 2019 2020 NUI Galway...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Harris: 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 Student Grant Scheme provides maintenance grants to eligible undergraduate students pursuing approved...

Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: We are on track for 1 May and I commit to that meeting.

Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: I was delighted to begin the introduction of this legislation in the House last night before the House adjourned for the evening. I believe this is important legislation for reforming and modernising how we govern the higher education sector. It needs to be seen alongside a broader programme of reform of the Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, student grant scheme, reducing the cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: The principal funding source for students with disabilities including dyslexia or those with sight loss in further and higher education is the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD). The purpose of the Fund is to provide funding to higher and further education institutions to assist them in offering supports and services to eligible students with disabilities so that they can participate...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: There have been no direct polls undertaken by the Department from 1 January 2021 to date. Three public consultations were conducted by, or for, my Department in this time period: - A public consultation was carried out in February 2021 on the reform of the Higher Education Authority Act 1971. A consultation paper was prepared and published on 19 February, 2021 seeking the up to date views of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Museum Projects (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: Since it opened in 2008, the Science Gallery has been a popular visitor attraction and strengthened the appreciation of science especially among young people. My Department and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media remain in contact with the Provost and management at Trinity College Dublin since TCD’s initial announcement regarding the Science Gallery. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy is not available. The key source of statistics on students in higher education is the HEA's student records system (SRS) which records enrolments as at March of every academic year, giving a single point of reference. Therefore data is not available on a national level on students who leave their programme during the course of the academic year....

Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Second Stage (26 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am very pleased to have this opportunity to address the House on Second Stage of the Higher Education Authority Bill 2022. Last year was the first full year of operation for the new Department and, before I speak to the House on the specifics of this legislation, I will take the opportunity to thank and commend the students and staff...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (26 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: University College Dublin is an autonomous body within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997and is entitled to regulate its own academic and administrative affairs. The publication of this research is a matter for UCD and Dr. Augustenborg and I would advise the Deputy to contact them directly in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (26 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: The principal support provided by the Department in financial terms is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the terms of the Grant Scheme, 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. The decision on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (26 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: I refer the Deputy to the data collated by SOLAS on the number of students from Northern Ireland that are enrolled in further education in Ireland for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020. - 2018 2019 2020 Number of Enrolments: 178 300 14

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Jan 2022)

Simon Harris: Under the scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved full-time course at an approved institution. Part-time courses are not eligible for support under the scheme. However, part-time students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. The Student Assistance Fund (SAF)...