Results 8,501-8,520 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (30 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, the Department or the Minister have no role in the awarding of a student grant. For the 2021/22 academic year, student grant applications will be assessed based on gross income from all sources for the reference period 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020. However, a very important feature of the scheme that I would point to is the change of circumstances...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (30 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy is not routinely collected by SOLAS. There are currently 62 apprenticeships leading to qualifications at level 5-10 of the National Framework of Qualifications. Three of the existing apprenticeships and five of the apprenticeships known to be in development are at level 9 or 10 of the framework. These may well necessitate a qualification at level 7...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Programmes (30 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: Eight higher education institutions were approved in 2020 to progress projects under the Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme 2020 co-funded with SEAI. These projects will test and demonstrate energy retrofit approaches, build scale, and inform key stakeholders. Please see table attached below with the current status and expected completion dates for the projects in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (30 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 448 and 449 together. My Department will closely monitoring any potential impact that the level of CAO applications or Leaving Certificate grades may have on entry to further and higher education in 2022. It should be noted that Leaving Certificate grades do not impact the number of places available in higher education, although they may lead to changes in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research Funding (30 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: Direct public expenditure on Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) has been increasing in real terms since 2016, reaching an estimated €866.8m in 2020. This represents an increase of €147.9m over four years and is the highest level of public expenditure on RDI since 2009. While this increase in public funding is welcome, I realise that it is not sufficient. Our RDI...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Schemes (30 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: The Irish Research Council (IRC) does not implement means-testing for Irish Research Council PhD scholarships. Postgraduate scholarships are allocated solely on the basis of the quality of the research proposal as determined by independent international peer review. All successful applicants who meet the terms and conditions of the scheme are awarded a stipend of €18,500 per year, up...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research and Development (30 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: The development of a new National Strategy for Research and Innovation (R and I) is a key commitment in the Government’s Economic Recovery Plan 2021, which sets out the “dual ambition of placing research, development and innovation at the heart of addressing Ireland’s economic and societal challenges, and building capacity and capability across the research and innovation...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Qualifications Recognition (30 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the State Agency responsible for maintaining the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), operates NARIC Ireland – the National Academic Recognition Information Centre. NARIC Ireland is responsible for providing advice on the recognition of foreign qualifications in Ireland and provides, where possible, comparability statements for a number...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research and Development (30 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 465 together. Economic development, job creation and national prosperity are, and will be, highly dependent on a strong research, development and innovation base with a regular output of new discoveries and inventions, innovative products and services, and a pipeline of highly educated and trained people. Ireland’s societal and economic...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (30 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: The number of students enrolled in higher education courses in natural sciences, mathematics and statistics has increased by 14.4% since 2014, rising from 21,400 to 24,500. The annual number of graduates from these courses has increased by 22.4%, from 5,500 to 6,700. These figures are expected to increase further over the coming years. My Department and are determined to be the driver of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (30 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 457, 460 and 464 together. It's a key objective of my Department that all students and learners are provided with the opportunities to acquire and develop the skills 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. My objective is, therefore, to ensure that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Standards (30 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: The National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 sets out the long-term vision for higher education. It recognises that a diverse range of strong, autonomous higher education institutions is essential if the overall system is to respond effectively to evolving and unpredictable economic and societal needs. It also recognises that funding and operational autonomy must be matched by a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Standards (30 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: The encouragement and incubation of talent and innovation is of primary concern to me and my Department. The establishment of the Department last year signals the Government's commitment in this regard. My Department is guided by the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030. This strategy sets the following high-level objectives: - Ireland will have an excellent higher education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (30 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: From pre-primary through to further and higher education and throughout an individual’s career, skills and knowledge need to be continuously enhanced if individuals, employers and countries are to realise their potential. I and my Department are determined to be the drivers of a vibrant sector which produces individuals who are equipped with the skills that they need to progress...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (30 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: As a small, open economy, Ireland relies on external demand and international markets for sustainable and continued growth. The market for innovation and research is also global – international cooperation in research and innovation plays an important role in the development and sustainability of a world-class innovation and research system. The centrality of the higher education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Standards (30 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: International competition for talent, investment and innovation grows more intense as nations strive to improve their standing as knowledge based economies. The establishment of a new Department focused on talent and knowledge is an indication of the Government’s intent to position human capital and research as key enablers for our future economy and society. There are a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (30 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: There are a range of supports and measures in place for students who wish to access and participate in third level education. For students who wish to access higher education, the main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme. Around 75,000 students are supported annually under the fund. We are currently reviewing the grant scheme with a view to improving the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: Higher education and research and further education and training including apprenticeship have been confirmed by Government as an essential service in the course of the pandemic. They continue, therefore, to take place on-site, consistent with the Safe Return Plan published by my Department last June. The Safe Return plan has been supplemented by recent guidance in relation to the sectoral...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Programme for Government (30 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: The principal support provided by the Department in financial terms is the Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI. Under the terms of the 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. This...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (25 Nov 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 297 to 299, inclusive, together. The funding allocations under the co-funded Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund (HESIF) programme were done by way of competitive call against set criteria outlined in the call document. The criteria included, quality and impact, value for money, capacity to deliver and alignment with Higher Education Institutions...