Results 9,501-9,520 of 45,539 for speaker:Simon Harris

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

Simon Harris: SUSI opened its application process for the 2021/22 academic year on March 31 and to date has received over 40,000 applications. This year’s scheme includes enhanced supports for postgraduate students which were announced in Budget 2021. I also secured an additional €20m in Budget 2021 to meet anticipated demands on the scheme as a consequence of the Covid pandemic. The...

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

Simon Harris: The current National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education covers the period from 2015 to 2021. One of the five priority goals under the plan is “to assess the impact of current initiatives to support equity of access to higher education”. In this regard, a number of reviews have been undertaken of policy interventions including the Student Assistance Fund; the Fund...

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

Simon Harris: I was pleased to see the Dundalk Institute of Technology’s recent publication of its vision to become a campus of a multi-campus regional TU that is dynamic, accessible and student-centred. This publication marks meaningful progress on the proposed trajectory towards achieving technological university status. The vision piece will enable staff, students and wider stakeholders to be...

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

Simon Harris: My Department’s Statement of Strategy articulates our commitment to inclusion in education - providing supports and opportunities for learning to all, recognising the needs of vulnerable learners and the most marginalised, and assisting people in access to and progression through higher and further education and training, to grow prosperity across communities and build social cohesion....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (20 May 2021)

Simon Harris: We are all well aware of the profound impact that Covid-19 has had globally over the past year. The onset of the pandemic in 2020 presented unique challenges across the Higher Education, Further Education and research sectors. Early on, a review was conducted by my Department in consultation with the Higher Education Authority and Institutes, Further Education and Training stakeholders to...

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

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129, 307 and 327 together. The expansion of higher education has been a key enabling factor in the growth of the Irish economy, and the availability and quality of graduates is essential if we are to maintain our attractiveness as a location for investment and grow our reputation. My Department has a number of key strategies in place at all levels to...

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

Simon Harris: Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, Family Income Supplement (also known as the Working Family Payment) is treated as an income disregard and is therefore not included in the calculation of reckonable income. Furthermore, unlike other social protection payments which are paid to individuals, the Working Family Payment is a payment deemed to be paid to a family. In recognition of...

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

Simon Harris: The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for SUSI to determine. In assessing an application for the 2021/22 academic year, SUSI will have regard to the following qualifying criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant: 1. The student must qualify for the standard rate of grant; 2. Total reckonable income, after income disregards and Child Dependant...

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

Simon Harris: The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government contains commitments to, among other things review SUSI eligibility criteria. On foot of these commitments I gave approval to commence a review of the Student Grant Scheme. The review, which commenced earlier this year, will examine eligibility criteria such as: income thresholds; postgraduate supports; grant values and adjacency...

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...