Results 9,481-9,500 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Adult Education Provision (20 May 2021)

Simon Harris: As provided for in the Programme for Government, I tasked SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority, with the development of a new 10 year strategy for adult literacy, numeracy and digital literacy. The new strategy will provide a framework to build on and streamline the substantial work that is already being done across a range of Departments and agencies, to increase awareness of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (20 May 2021)

Simon Harris: I am conscious of the challenges faced by students regarding student accommodation this year due to both financial pressures, and the blended learning format of the 2020/21 academic year. The Deputy will be aware that the university sector has been actively engaging with students on the issue of accommodation refunds. As a result of the decision to minimise on-site teaching, all...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Higher Education Institutions (20 May 2021)

Simon Harris: Our higher education institutions have a duty of care to their students and staff, and a responsibility 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (20 May 2021)

Simon Harris: Under the statutory framework provided in the Technological Universities Act 2018, two or more Institutes of Technology may jointly seek technological university (TU) designation through a prescribed legislative process. Section 29 of the 2018 Act provides for the application jointly by two or more applicant institutes to the Minister of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (20 May 2021)

Simon Harris: My Department, the HEA and the higher education institutions are committed to supporting the provision of graduates for the health service through undergraduate and postgraduate provision, with the key competencies and skills to be effective in the health workforce and allow for growth and upskilling in the future. In this regard, my Department will continue to engage with the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (20 May 2021)

Simon Harris: The National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) 2014-2020 aims to ensure that “education contributes to sustainable development by equipping learners with the relevant knowledge (the ‘what’), the key dispositions and skills (the ‘how’) and the values (the ‘why’) that will motivate and empower them throughout their lives to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Higher Education Institutions (20 May 2021)

Simon Harris: I have not met with either UCC or MTU to discuss a new campus on the northside of Cork city and my Department has not been made aware of any plans by either institution in that regard. However, my Department continues to work collaboratively with MTU and UCC on the development of capital projects in line with their established masterplans. Higher education building projects in Cork...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (20 May 2021)

Simon Harris: The Student Grant Scheme, administered by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), provides grant assistance to eligible students attending an approved course at an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. Student maintenance grants are payable at either the adjacent or...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (20 May 2021)

Simon Harris: The principal support provided by my Department in financial terms is the Student Grant Scheme operated by SUSI. 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 scheme is open to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (20 May 2021)

Simon Harris: I would like to thank Deputy Richmond for raising this matter, and I take this opportunity to update all on the current position on the status of the Erasmus and NI students. Since the Government decision in October 2020, officials in my Department have been engaging with higher education institutions (HEIs), North and South to appraise their International/ Erasmus Officers of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (20 May 2021)

Simon Harris: The objective of the statutory based student grant scheme is to provide additional assistance where parental income is below a certain threshold or, in the case of independent mature students, where the level of income of the student and his or her spouse warrants additional assistance by way of a grant. For student grants purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research Funding (20 May 2021)

Simon Harris: My Department and its agencies are significant funders of research, accounting for over half of the €869.2 million Government investment in research, development and innovation in 2019. Government investment in R&D includes funding for programmes that encompass all disciplines and all types of research. It should be noted that public funding for research is awarded according to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (20 May 2021)

Simon Harris: The Student Grant Scheme, administered by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), provides grant assistance to eligible students attending an approved course at an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. The eligibility criteria for student grants are reviewed...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (20 May 2021)

Simon Harris: I am aware of the high number of CAO applications this year, and officials from my Department are engaging regularly with representatives from the higher education sector in relation to the 2021/22 academic year and demand for places. €18 million has been provided in Budget 2021 which will build additional capacity in the system and address demographic growth pressures. This is in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (20 May 2021)

Simon Harris: I am aware of the high number of CAO applications this year, and officials from my Department are engaging regularly with representatives from the higher education sector in relation to the 2021/22 academic year and demand for places. The CAO process applications for undergraduate courses on behalf of the Higher Education Institutions. Decisions on admissions are made by the HEIs who...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (20 May 2021)

Simon Harris: The student grant is a contribution towards the cost of attending college. Student maintenance grants are payable at either the adjacent or non-adjacent rate. The distance to be measured is the shortest non-tolled most direct route from the student’s residence to the institution attended. The adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in the case of students whose normal residence...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (20 May 2021)

Simon Harris: A key priority of my Department is strengthening the pathways between post-primary and further and higher education. Crucial to this is the creation of a single application portal that is user-friendly, clear and offers equal visibility of all the options for all learners and potential learners in a single location. There has been regular and ongoing engagement over the last couple of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (20 May 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: Education and Training Provision (20 May 2021)

Simon Harris: The current National Development Plan (NDP) provides for the first time a dedicated capital envelope for the Further Education and Training (FET) sector. Expenditure increased from €5.5m in 2018 to €16.7m in 2020 with planned investment of €32.5m in 2021. Expenditure of €16.7m in 2020 provided an opportunity to support a range of programmes including: -...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (20 May 2021)

Simon Harris: The development of a country’s talent entails lifelong investment and commitment on the part of both the individual and the State. 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. The role of education,...