Results 8,741-8,760 of 45,495 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: In line with the commitments contained in the National Economic Plan, my Department is currently engaged in a review of key elements of skills policy landscape in Ireland. This work includes examination of how best to maximise the effectiveness of the skills architecture in place, including the National Skills Council and Regional Skills Fora as well as a review of the broader policy...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 54, 83, 91 and 93 together. The Student Grant Scheme is a critical financial support for students participating in further and higher education. As in any statutory scheme, a core principle of the scheme is that there is consistency of approach and an equitable treatment for applicants as part of the means assessment process. All applications are...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The Student Grant Scheme is a critical financial support for students participating in further and higher education. As in any statutory scheme, a core principle of the scheme is that there is consistency of approach and an equitable treatment for applicants as part of the means assessment process. All applications are assessed nationally with reference to the terms and conditions of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: In July I announced Government approval for €105 million for the third level sector to safely reopen in September 2021 in line with public health advice. The package will include financial support for further and higher education to return on-site safely in line with public health advice and additional supports for students in further and higher education. At this time it is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cross-Border Co-operation (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: There are already examples of further education colleges collaborating with the regional colleges in Northern Ireland, with one of the most notable being those colleges in Donegal ETB and the North West Regional College as part of the North West Strategic Growth Partnership. I attach great importance to collaborations of this nature are important, not least that they recognise the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: Officials from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science worked with the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government on legislation to lower upfront payments required from students in securing accommodation, and protect against loss should accommodation be vacated. The Residential Tenancies (No.2) Act 2021 was signed into law on 9th July...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The Department for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is committed to the implementation of the Official Languages Act and provision of Irish-language services, and the Official Languages (Amendment) Bill 2019 is of high importance to Ireland and the life of the language in this country. It will ensure that Irish speakers can interact with the Government and access...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (13 Oct 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. SUSI...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: Both National Agencies for Erasmus in Ireland - Léargas and the Higher Education Authority which manage the further and higher education sectors respectively - have reported a satisfactory response from the institutions within their specific remit. The response is boosted by the knowledge once again that participants can once again travel in line with public health advice. There are...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: On 30 April 2021 the TUSEI consortium, comprising IT Carlow and Waterford IT, submitted an application to me under Section 29 of the Technological Universities Act 2018 seeking the making of an order to dissolve both Institutes of Technology and to establish in their place of a technological university to serve the South East region. I subsequently appointed an expert advisory panel to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: I have been clear in my commitment to expanding the imprint of higher education across the south east region. This includes a larger footprint for higher education in Waterford - a city which is targeted for a compact and sustainable population growth under Project Ireland 2040. In this regard, officials from my Department and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) continue to work...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The principal support provided by the Department in financial terms is the Student Grant Scheme. Under 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. The decision on eligibility for a student...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government contains commitments to review SUSI eligibility criteria, adjacency rates and postgraduate grant supports. On foot of these commitments I gave approval to commence a review of the Student Grant Scheme, which is close to finalisation. My Department is overseeing the implementation of the review. A Steering Committee has been...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: Our higher education institutions have a responsibility to their students and staff to foster a campus culture that is clear in the condemnation of unwanted and unacceptable behaviours, which act as barriers to their safety and their active participation in college life. In April 2019 the Framework for Consent in Higher Education Institutions: “Safe, Respectful, Supportive and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for SUSI to determine. For the 2021/22 academic year, student grant applications will be assessed based on gross income from all sources for the period 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020. All applications are assessed nationally with reference to the terms and conditions of the relevant student grant...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: I was delighted to see Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest open its doors at the start of the month to become the third technological university in the State. The communities in areas where there are campuses of the new TU will benefit from a range of benefits over time. The universities will attract more students, they will help communities create and retain skills and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (13 Oct 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. SUSI...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) provides financial assistance to students experiencing financial difficulties while attending third level. Students can be assisted towards costs such as food, rent, heating and lighting bills and other utility bills, books/class materials and costs associated with childcare, transport and medical. In general, the SAF has a dual focus and is designed to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: Construction on the new buildings proposed for delivery on the Waterford and Carlow campuses is due under the HEI PPP Programme, which at present is anticipated to commence in Q1 2023. The new Engineering, Computing and General Teaching building in Waterford will consist of undergraduate and postgraduate laboratories, general and specialised teaching space, learning resource space,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research and Development (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: My department is currently developing a new National Research and Innovation Strategy which is expected to be completed later this year. We acknowledge the opportunity to recognise the R&I system as a resource to provide evidence-based research to address key national policy questions. This is an issue which has gained momentum in the last number of years and consideration needs to be...