Results 9,841-9,860 of 45,539 for speaker:Simon Harris

Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Statements (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Harris: I will start with Deputy Ó Cathasaigh's question because it is time-sensitive. I want to acknowledge what the Deputy has acknowledged, but the last time TUI members were balloted on this matter, they voted overwhelmingly in favour of this project. That shows their commitment and the scale of their ambition. I would add that the only thing that has happened between 2019 and now is that...

Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Statements (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Cullinane. I thank him for coming to the meeting earlier and I genuinely thank him for not playing politics with this issue and for being constructive on it. I hope it sends a message to the people of the south east, when he and I are agreeing with such enthusiasm on an issue, that we see the real significance of this to the south east. This is a game changer for the south...

Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Statements (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Harris: I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Collins, to expand on the apprenticeships but on the water and drainage systems, the Deputy has highlighted a very important issue. I would be very happy to meet some people from that sector with the Deputy and SOLAS over the next couple of weeks to see if we can make progress.

Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Statements (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Conway-Walsh for the constructive questions and points. Let me be clear at the outset: nobody believes students are commodities and nobody has a monopoly of concern for them. In the past two weeks, I have been meeting virtually with students in Cavan, Longford and in Donegal, with six student unions and in the Deputy's constituency in Ballinrobe. The Deputy is right that it...

Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Statements (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Harris: I am delighted to be here today again addressing Dáil Éireann on the work of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. We have been working very hard in recent months to establish a new Department. Indeed, the Department was only formally set up in law last August and we have tried to pursue an ambitious agenda of work since then. I believe...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Harris: The HEAR scheme is operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) www.iua.iewho set the policy criteria for the scheme. Admissions under the HEAR scheme are regulated by the higher education institutions themselves. Applications to the scheme are submitted to the Central Applications Office (CAO) who coordinate the scheme for participating institutions. As such, The Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Harris: My officials have spoken on a number of occasions with representatives from the higher education sector regarding any changes to the non-progression rate among students in this year. While precise figures on non-progression are not available at this time, the higher education institutions have indicated that there is no significant change either upwards or downwards in the non-progression...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Nursing Education (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Harris: This is a matter for the Department of Health, who have advised that the deputy is referring to the sponsorship scheme available for support staff in the Irish public health service wishing to obtain a qualification in nursing or midwifery. To be eligible, applicants must be directly involved in delivering care to patients or clients in a nursing context. For example, healthcare assistants...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 661, 663 and 664 together. Continuity for the most part of further and higher education and research has been maintained throughout the pandemic. In the early phase when on-site activities were suddenly suspended this was achieved through a rapid shift to emergency remote learning. Over time a blended model of learning has become the dominant mode with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 662 and 665 together. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous and manage their own academic affairs including admissions procedures. The CAO process applications for undergraduate courses on behalf of the HEIs. Decisions on admissions are made by the HEIs who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. Therefore I do not have a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Harris: In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic we can all acknowledge the critical role that research, and in particular research into virology has played both at a national level and globally in enabling health systems and Governments to respond effectively and in a timely manner to the significant challenges posed by the virus. We have drawn upon expertise and investment in research that stretches...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Brexit Issues (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Harris: Irish students in UK colleges are treated as home students, in terms of paying fees at home rates in the UK. Unlike students from the rest of the EU, Irish students will not be charged fees at the international rate. Therefore, should they pursue their higher education studies in the UK, fees will be in line with the normal fees paid by UK nationals. The Common Travel Area arrangements apply...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Mar 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. My Department is monitoring developments in this regard very closely. From the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, significant work has been undertaken by a stakeholder group...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Harris: My Department is working to deliver on its mission to develop further and higher education to support people in reaching their full potential. We published our Statement of Strategy for the 2021-2023 period on March 8. It contains six strategic goals including a goal on inclusion which seeks to “support learning for all, recognising the needs of vulnerable learners and the most...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Harris: Under the student grant scheme, a student must progressing to retain their student grant. The legislation does not allow for a grant to be paid to a student for a repeat period of study on the same course, or for a different course at the same level, irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously. Once an equivalent period of study has been completed on the new course,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: English Language Training Organisations (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 671, 672 and 684 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 Covid-19 outbreak has had on students,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Internships (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy may be aware, My Department was established in July 2020. The information requested by the Deputy in regard to the non commercial state bodies under the remit of my Department, in regard to work experience and internships, is not routinely compiled by my Department. The state bodies may be contacted directly by e-mail by the members of the Oireachtas as set out in the attached...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Harris: Higher Education Institutions are autonomous within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutions of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006 and the Technological Universities Act 2018. Under this legislation the institutions are academically independent and are entitled to regulate their own academic affairs, including in relation to requirements to progress from one year to the next. It...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Harris: Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are governed by the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technologies Acts 1992 to 2006 and the Technological Universities Act 2018. Within the meaning of these Acts, HEIs are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs including dealing with policy and procedure in relation to fee collection. My...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Harris: SUSI is not seeking a repayment from all 743 students who were initially awarded a grant but since had their grant withdrawn. Some students did not receive a payment from SUSI before their grant was withdrawn and in such cases, no repayment is sought. No repayment is sought from students who were initially eligible to receive a payment but subsequently became ineligible for funding, due...