Results 9,641-9,660 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Institutions (22 Apr 2021)

Simon Harris: The position is that universities are autonomous bodies within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, and the management of their academic affairs, including the delivery of courses are matters for the individual institutions. The institutions' governance and their day-to-day management are matters for which the Governing Bodies and the management of the relevant institutions...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Transport Policy (22 Apr 2021)

Simon Harris: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has a number of initiatives in place to encourage and facilitate employees to use active travel to commute to work. Such initiatives include: Cycle-to-work scheme: The Cycle-to-work scheme (generally known as the Bike to Work Scheme) is a tax incentive scheme to encourage staff to cycle to work and is in operation in my Department since 2009....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Mental Health Services (21 Apr 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1261, 1262 and 1351 together. The support and wellbeing of our students is one of my priorities. Student services and associated activities are an integral part of the whole student experience at third level, and these services generally fall under a number of headings, particularly ‘Welfare and Guidance’ which includes counselling...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (21 Apr 2021)

Simon Harris: For 2020/21 The normal CAO offer process ended in October 2020, therefore I take it the Deputy is referring to: - first time undergraduate students who sat Leaving Certificate Examinations in November 2020; - having started a course of higher education study in 2020 based on the calculated grades from Leaving Certificate 2020, and - the student subsequently receives an uplifted deferred...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (21 Apr 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 to deliver new undergraduate student places from September 2021 which will address demographic growth...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland (21 Apr 2021)

Simon Harris: Under the terms of the Student Grant 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 statutory based Student Grant Scheme and Regulations are reviewed annually by the Department, following...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Support Schemes (21 Apr 2021)

Simon Harris: The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) scheme, which offers reduced points places to school leavers who as a result of having a disability have experienced additional educational challenges in second level education, is operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) www.iua.ie. The IUA set the policy criteria for the scheme. Applications to the scheme are submitted to the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme (21 Apr 2021)

Simon Harris: In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students, financial assistance will be provided in academic year 20/21 to all students who avail of SUSI grants and to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the state. The scheme will ensure students; - Who avail of the SUSI grant will receive...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland (21 Apr 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1268 and 1269 together. In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students, financial assistance will be provided in academic year 20/21 to all students who avail of SUSI grants and to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the state. The scheme will ensure...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Examinations (21 Apr 2021)

Simon Harris: It has been a significant priority for me and my Department, in the context of the shift to online teaching and learning that has arisen from the public health restrictions, to provide support to students to facilitate connectivity and to examine options designed to seek to minimise the extent to which connectivity challenges act as a barrier to full participation in higher and further...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Language Schools (21 Apr 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1271, 1291, 1303, 1312, 1323, 1324, 1350 and 1355 together. English language education (ELE) in Ireland is a broad and diverse sector with the vast majority of activity undertaken by private sector providers. I am aware of the important contribution made by this sector and of the challenges that are being encountered given the substantial impact that the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research and Development (21 Apr 2021)

Simon Harris: Ireland is committed to the principle of Open Access to publicly funded research. Open Access enables the free flow of information across national and international research communities, supports research-enabled teaching and learning, citizen science and open innovation, and fosters greater transparency, accountability, and public awareness of research results. As stated in the 2019 National...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (21 Apr 2021)

Simon Harris: Applications for free fees are assessed by higher education institutions. Under the Free Fees Initiative the Exchequer meets the cost of tuition fees of eligible students pursuing an approved full-time undergraduate course of study in an approved institution in the State. Eligible students must meet the terms of the scheme, including the nationality and residency clauses. Where...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Institutes of Technology (21 Apr 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1275, 1276, 1277 and 1327 together. As the Deputy is aware the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) Working Group was established in March 2017. The key objective of this group was to develop a plan to develop a sustainable future for the Mayo Campus arising from concerns about the financial viability of the campus. The Governing Authority of GMIT in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Support Schemes (21 Apr 2021)

Simon Harris: The Student Grant Scheme, administered by SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland), provides grant assistance 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 decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (21 Apr 2021)

Simon Harris: SFI funds 6 Centres for Research Training (CRTs) that are collectively hosted across a partner network of 10 research bodies. The CRTs aim to promote excellence in research and education and will train over 700 doctoral students in data and ICT skills; equipping them with transversal, cross-sectoral and discipline specific skills. The CRTs have been modelled on international best...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (21 Apr 2021)

Simon Harris: Compliance with the GDPR and the Data Protection Act lies with the data controller or joint-data controllers; that being the Science Foundation of Ireland (SFI) Centre for Research Training and/or the University of Limerick. The University of Limerick has a responsibility for ensuring compliance with the Legislation. I understand that all SFI awardees are subject to compliance of GDPR...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (21 Apr 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1282 and 1283 together. It is a matter for applicant institutes of technology, as independent autonomous HEIs, that are seeking TU designation under the 2018 Act to decide the particular administrative processes and governance structures that most appropriately support their efforts to do so. The Department and the HEA have provided guidance to TU development...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Institutes of Technology (21 Apr 2021)

Simon Harris: The data requested by the Deputy is outlined in the attached spreadsheets. SSHA

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (21 Apr 2021)

Simon Harris: I am aware that issues have arisen in relation to placement hours both for students of Social Care programmes and for placements more generally as the restrictions to combat the spread of Covid-19 have tightened. Following extensive engagement on this issue, the Irish Association of Social Care Educators (IASCE) has developed a framework for alternative arrangements for Social Care Work...