Results 9,541-9,560 of 45,539 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (19 May 2021)

Simon Harris: The issue raised by the Deputy refers to the visa processing arrangements of another State. This is a matter for the Embassy of the country concerned, who should be able to advise on the appropriate action to take in these circumstances. I have, however, drawn the attention of the Department of Foreign Affairs to the general issue.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (19 May 2021)

Simon Harris: Cavan ETB has identified the development of the site of the former Army Barracks in Cavan as an opportunity to centralise further education and training provision and eliminate the need for various rented accommodation arrangements around Cavan town. Plans are currently being advanced for interim temporary accommodation for Cavan Institute on the Barracks site. The ETB have submitted a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Higher Education Institutions (19 May 2021)

Simon Harris: The support and wellbeing of our students is a priority for my Department. In November 2020, I launched a new National Framework to address the issues of student mental health and suicide prevention. This Framework is Ireland’s first ever national approach to address student mental health and suicide prevention. The Framework was developed in collaboration with students,...

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

Simon Harris: COVID-19 related suspension of practical training in Training Centres, Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities has had a significant impact on the ability of craft apprentices to access off-the-job training leading to an increase in waiting times for completion of practical training and assessment and an effective extension of the duration of some craft apprenticeship...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Domestic Violence (19 May 2021)

Simon Harris: I recently received correspondence from the organisation in question regarding the launch of their domestic violence leave policy. I have been in contact with the organisation in this regard.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (19 May 2021)

Simon Harris: The fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety factors including the type of course and the student's access route including previous education. The assessment of a students application and the determination of the appropriate fee rate is a function of the institution attended. It is therefore necessary for students to contact the institution they are interested in attending for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research Funding (19 May 2021)

Simon Harris: 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 the criteria set out in the various funding programmes operated by research funders irrespective of whether the research is basic or applied. My Department and its agencies are significant...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (19 May 2021)

Simon Harris: The current NDP provided 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, of which just over €1m was allocated to Mayo, Sligo & Leitrim Education and Training...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland (18 May 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. All...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Schemes (18 May 2021)

Simon Harris: I have advised the Minister for the Economy of the Irish Government's decision to facilitate the continued access for Northern Ireland students to Erasmus mobilities in Europe and my officials remain in contact with their counterparts in Northern Ireland. My officials are continuing to work with higher education institutions, North and South to finalise the administrative procedures to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Schemes (18 May 2021)

Simon Harris: As these mobilities for a key element of the student's programme of study, each application for mobility must be approved by the Northern Ireland higher education institution.  In tandem with this, there must be an individual learning agreement between the partner institutions.  This has always been a key component of any Erasmus mobility.  Once these elements are in place, the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (18 May 2021)

Simon Harris: COVID-19 related suspension of practical training in Training Centres, Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities has had a significant impact on the ability of craft apprentices to access off-the-job training leading to an increase in waiting times for completion of practical training and assessment and an effective extension of the duration of some craft apprenticeship...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Sustainable Development Goals (18 May 2021)

Simon Harris: The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a significant and ambitious policy agenda that concerns all Government Departments.  The first SDGs National Implementation Plan (2018-2020), published in 2018, set out Ireland’s strategy to achieve the SDGs both domestically and internationally. 19 Actions were included in the first...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Sustainable Development Goals (18 May 2021)

Simon Harris: The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has responsibilties for a number of the goals under Sustainable Development National Implementation Plan. The Deputy may be interested in the Policy Map, which notes the responsibilities of each Department and which is available at the link - . I have also included below details of the goals my Department is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Social Media (18 May 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 616 and 617 together. My department has not conducted any social media monitoring to date. 

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Investigations (18 May 2021)

Simon Harris: Neither my Department nor agencies under its aegis have engaged private investigators in the time period specified. 

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Data Protection (18 May 2021)

Simon Harris: The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science was established on 2 August 2020. There has been one data breach in total between the date of establishment in 2020 and today’s date. This breach was reported to the Data Protection Commission, who closed the case without further action following informal investigation.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Higher Education Institutions (18 May 2021)

Simon Harris: Irish universities are independent and autonomous statutory bodies established under the Universities Act, 1997 which guarantees the principle of academic freedom and puts in place detailed institutional level governance arrangements for the management, operation, policies and strategy of the relevant institution. The participation of a higher education institution with this organisation...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (18 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 Examinations (18 May 2021)

Simon Harris: Throughout Level 5, higher education remained almost entirely online, with exceptions made where on-site presence is necessary for practical and time-critical work. It is anticipated that the remainder of the 2020/21 academic year will also continue predominantly online. Reflecting the scale and diversity of third-level provision and using their discretion higher education institutions will...