Results 881-900 of 10,490 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Accommodation (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: This is the second memo that the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and I have brought on this issue. The first was to seek Cabinet approval. Today, the Government approved the priority drafting of the residential tenancies (student-specific accommodation) Bill. This will be welcomed by Deputies on both sides of the House, including the previous Minister and now Taoiseach, as well as myself. It...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Accommodation (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: It has to be primary legislation. The Attorney General advised the Cabinet this morning of his views with regard to it. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and I are confident it can be enacted before the Dáil and Seanad rise for the summer but it will require the co-operation of the Whips. The Deputy will see the legislation as soon as it is published. It is not published yet. When it...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: As the Deputy will be aware, Kildare Wicklow ETBs proposal for Bray Institute of Further Education was successful at the first stage of the assessment process under the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund and is now at the next stage of the process – The development of a Preliminary Business Case. The development of a robust business case is fundamental to the requirements of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I welcome the Deputy's question and I am happy to advise him that many of the suite of apprenticeships programmes currently in place equip participants with relevant skills that are essential to support the success of Ireland's wind energy sector. In light of the extensive supply chain required for wind farm development, these apprenticeship programmes include the wind turbine...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I have been engaging with Minister O’Brien and our officials on the decision of some private student accommodation providers to move to 51-week leases from the traditional leases which reflected the academic year. I recognise that while there may be a market for 51-week leases among some members of the student population, it is not desirable for the vast majority of third level...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I recognise the importance of enhancing environmental and climate expertise within the planning profession. Indeed, it is clear that sustainability needs to be embedded in a whole range of disciplines in order to prepare learners for the world of work. At the same time, it is important to recognise that it is higher education institutions and relevant professional regulators who are...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Inclusion is one of the six strategic goals set out in my Department's Statement of Strategy. The National Access Plan has identified a number of priority-groups who are underrepresented in higher education and need additional focus, including students with ADHD. My Department has provided funding of an additional €35 million to support the objectives of the NAP over its lifetime...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Deputy for her question. I am working to ensure that we have more graduates in healthcare disciplines, and particularly the therapies, to supply the children's disability network teams, and the broader healthcare workforce needs. Work is ongoing in collaboration with the Department of Health, HSE and the Higher Education Sector to maximise the expansion in key discipline areas...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Under Government initiatives for student accommodation, two proposals have been submitted by the University of Galway. The Higher Education Authority progressed due diligence assessment on the proposals, however during the assessment stage the proposals were withdrawn by the vendors. The Department and the Higher Education Authority will continue to engage with the University of Galway in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Our health and social care professionals are vital to so many of our public services, advocating for the most vulnerable in our society. Ensuring we have a sufficient supply of social work and social care professionals is a priority for my Department. That is why I was delighted to recently announce the launch of two new pathways in social work which will both increase the number of people...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: As the Deputy will be aware, Galway Roscommon ETBs (GRETB) proposal for the construction of a new FET College of the Future on a site owned by GRETB adjacent to its Mervue Training facility was successful at the first stage of the assessment process under the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund and is now in the next stage of the process – the development of a Preliminary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: An inclusive higher education system is a national and European priority. Supporting Inclusion is one of the six strategic goals set out in my Department’s Statement of Strategy. The National Access Plan (NAP) which was launched in 2022 aims to support inclusion and diversity in our student body, address the wider struggles and challenges for students, and deliver sustainable...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I am very concerned by the desperate situation of civilians in Gaza. This remains a central priority for the Government, including at EU level, where Ireland is consistently calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. Horizon Europe is the European Union’s leading research and innovation programme and encompasses all European Member States as well as 18 Associated Countries...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Higher Education Authority ran a process to identify options to expand higher education provision in a number of priority skills areas, including Veterinary Medicine. Proposals were put forward by a range of higher education institutions under this process. The options identified have the potential to significantly increase the numbers of students who would be able to take up places on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Wellbeing and student mental health are priorities for my Department. In terms of providing supports and funding to the higher education sector for mental health services, higher education institutions (HEIs) receive funding from a variety of sources that contribute to the expenditure associated with the full range of institutional activities. This includes recurrent funding allocated by...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: In Cork Education and Training Board, apprenticeship funding rose from €17.1m in 2023 to €17.9m in 2024. Two workshops, one electrical and one plumbing were completed in 2023 following an investment of €1,000,000. Cork Education and Training Board is increasing its craft apprenticeship provision from 440 training places in 2022 to over 600 training places in 2024 across...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The tertiary education and research system supports learners to achieve internationally recognised qualifications which prepare graduates for careers and further learning, both in Ireland and internationally. The outcomes of higher education graduates, including outcomes relating to international mobility, are tracked through a number of sources. The Higher Education Authority...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I wish to advise the Deputy that policy and regulatory questions relating to the Professional Masters in Education, and the teaching profession more generally, are a matter for the Department of Education and my colleague Minister Foley. However, the Deputy will be aware that my Department does support access to Initial Teacher Education (ITE) for targeted priority groups under the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: 462 permanent additional places in healthcare disciplines were introduced in September 2023 in Irish higher education institutions. In addition, last September saw an innovative cross border collaboration with the Government funding of 80 additional health and social care places in Ulster University. There is ongoing engagement with my Department and the Department of Health, HSE and the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I am committed to engaging with all Departments and agencies to ensure our Tertiary Education Sector rises to meet the demands of our public sector workforce requirements. Particular focus has been paid to skills challenges across health and social care services. This work is being undertaken in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Equality,...