Results 9,301-9,320 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Equality Issues (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: Inclusion is one of the core strategic goals for my Department, and my ambition is to ensure that we provide supports and opportunities for learning to all, recognising the needs of vulnerable learners and the most marginalised, and to assist people in access to and progression through higher and further education and training. A range of supports and measures are in place, which include the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Schemes (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: The student maintenance grant is a contribution towards the living costs of a student. It is not intended to cover the full costs of attending college. The student grant scheme does however, provide for different levels of maintenance support, depending on means. Grants are also provided at adjacent and non-adjacent rates. The higher non-adjacent rates are intended to provide additional...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Schemes (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: According to most recent statistics available from the Department of Education, there were 9,486 full time Level 6* Post Leaving Certificate students (2018/19), while the total full time students registered for craft apprenticeship was 16,142 for the 2019/20 academic year. The average maintenance grant payable to a further education student is €1,995. The estimated cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Schemes (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: The latest statistics from the HEA indicate that in the academic year 2018/19 there were 24,855 full-time post graduate students at approved institutions. Most EU and EEA students can expect the cost of fees for a year offull time study to be between €4,000 and €9,000. Based on an average cost of €6,500 the estimated cost of extending the SUSI support for post-graduate...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Overseas Study Placements (16 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: No such analyses are currently underway. A were implemented in 2015. The reforms were designed to drive real and lasting change in the sector and address abuse of the immigration regime and labour market, improve the overall quality of educational offering to international students, and improve protection and supports for learners, whilst safeguarding the strong international reputation of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Overseas Study Placements (16 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: Since the Covid-19 pandemic was declared in March 2020, the Minister for Justice has announced extensions to immigration permissions, including for English language students, on a number of occasions. The most recent announcement has extended relevant permissions until 20 September 2021. The primary purpose of the Stamp 2 immigration permission is to enable non-EEA students to travel to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (16 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: In considering fees, it is important to note that the State currently provides very substantial financial support to undergraduate students in higher education towards the cost of their studies. This commitment is demonstrated through the high level of fees support amounting to in excess of €500m per annum provided by the State for large numbers of students participating in higher...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (16 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: The intention of Government is to strengthen the prevention and intervention measures around COVID-19 in response to the changing context including surveillance, track and trace, and potential use of new technology. My Department recognises that as one part of a package of surveillance and vigilance measures, including other public health non-pharmaceutical interventions, there is a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (16 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: Following Government approval, I have published A Safe Return: Plan for a safe return to on-site Further and Higher Education and Research in 2021/22. The Safe Return Plan can be accessed here: The Plan reflects the essential nature of higher and further education and training, and research activities, and in that context, provides for comprehensive on-site activity for the next academic...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (16 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: In March 2020, my Department established a distinct Working Group with key stakeholders for the English Language Education (ELE) sector to manage the significant impact of the pandemic on ELE. This Working Group is comprised of the sectoral representatives of students, staff and providers alongside representatives of relevant Government Departments such as the Department of Justice, the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Scientific Research (16 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: Based on the most recent indications received from CERN, the cost of Ireland’s full membership at current prices would be circa €13.2 million annually. In addition to the annual full membership cost there is a ‘special contribution’ fee calculated as 1.25 times the cost of the full membership fee. Based on a cost of €13.2 million this would amount to a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (16 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: Adult literacy provision is delivered through a number of dedicated programmes including adult literacy groups and intensive tuition in adult basic education. One of the strategic priorities of the FET Strategy 2020-2024 is fostering inclusion with particular focus on literacy and numeracy supports to ensure the needs of learners are met. The funding allocated in 2021 for literacy, numeracy,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Electric Vehicles (16 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department does not lease or own any vehicles including both electric or hybrid.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (15 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: The Irish Research Council is the main source of funding for individual postgraduate and postdoctoral students and funds Postgraduate Scholarships and Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in all disciplines, including the Irish Language. The IRC has a database of all projects awarded funding, which can be searched by discipline, available on their website at the following link: Details on how...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2021)

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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (15 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: My Department's Statement of Strategy, which I published on 8 March last contains a commitment to put in place a sustainable funding model for the higher education. This is essential in ensuring that our higher education institutions can effectively meet high standards of quality and performance, and achieve critical outcomes for our economy and society. A comprehensive economic...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (15 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: Under the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is available to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the terms and conditions of funding, including those relating to residency, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for SUSI to determine. For...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: The Student Grant Scheme, administered by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), provides grant assistance to eligible students attending an approved full-time course in an approved educational institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. Under the scheme, grant assistance is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: The estimated cost of increasing the 100% SUSI Adjacent rate from € 1,215 to €1,340 and the non-adjacent rate from €3,025 to €3,325 is set out in the table attached. Estimated cost of increasing the non adjacent and adjacent rates Student Numbers Increase Total cost Total Students on 100% Non-Adjacent rate ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (15 Jun 2021)

Simon Harris: Under the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is available to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the terms and conditions of funding, including those relating to residency, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for SUSI to determine. For...