Results 9,961-9,980 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: The development and progression of technological universities is an established policy objective of Government in the context of overarching national strategy on higher education landscape restructuring and this is underscored in the commitment in the current Programme for Government. Under the statutory framework provided in the Technological Universities Act 2018, two or more IoTs may...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Science Foundation Ireland (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: The following positions are vacant at Science Foundation Ireland: No. of vacancies Title Length of time post vacant Estimated full year cost 1 Grants Compliance Manager Advertised 4th February, 2021 €76,638 1 Partnership Programme Manager Advertised 27th January, 2021 ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Institutes of Technology (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: The refurbishment works on the DKIT campus will be delivered on a phased basis out to 2023, with planning and design now well advanced. Work on the North block is due to commence in Q2 2021, with work on the South block due to commence in Q2 2022. The STEM extension element of the project is at tender stage, with work due to commence in Q2 2021. While all works are currently projected to be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Erasmus+ Programme (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: In October 2020, I had a productive virtual meeting with Minister Dodds, who has responsibility for further and higher education policy in Northern Ireland, where I advised the Minister of the Government's decision to ensure that Northern Ireland students could continue to access the Erasmus programme. Officials in my Department are now engaging with institutions in Northern Ireland, and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Erasmus+ Programme (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: The estimated cost for facilitating the continued access to Erasmus mobilities by higher education students from Northern Ireland is approximately €2.1m per year. The question of funding incoming students does not arise, as they are funded by their own authorities.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Erasmus+ Programme (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: As part of its decision to facilitate the continued access by NI higher education students to Erasmus mobilities, the Irish Government committed to funding the cost of this decision from its own resources.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Erasmus+ Programme (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: I am conscious that students will wish for clarity as soon as possible in regard to the format of the 2021-2022 academic year. However given the evolving public health situation it is not possible at this time to provide any concrete information on what the new academic year may look like. I would encourage students to engage with their higher education institution regarding their plans for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Meetings (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: I have had several opportunities to engage virtually with European Research Ministers since my appointment. This is a very important time for the European research and innovation agenda as we begin the implementation of the new framework for European research and innovation policy and roll out our new EU investment programme. One of the few positives of the pandemic is that it has...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research and Development (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: The European Research Area (ERA), which was launched in 2000, aims to achieve a single research area in which researchers, scientific knowledge and technology circulate freely. There have been many significant achievements over the last 20 years, however progress has slowed in recent years. Member States agree that a renewed commitment is required at national level to reinvigorate the ERA and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (10 Feb 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 these issues. As a result of the decision to minimise on-site teaching, all universities have confirmed that students...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland (10 Feb 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. For...

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

Simon Harris: The International Education Mark (IEM) is a key component of the Government’s policy for the English language education sector and is intended to provide a quality framework for the provision of education to international learners. The IEM will be administered by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the national agency with responsibility for external quality assurance and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme (10 Feb 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. To satisfy the terms and conditions of the Student Grant Scheme in relation to progression, a student must be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: Under the Department's student grant scheme, eligible applicants may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution as defined in the scheme. The definition of an approved institution is set out in Section 7 of the Student Support Act 2011 and Regulation 3 of the Student Support Regulations 2020. The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced a...

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

Simon Harris: In Budget 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, funding was provided in recognition of the exceptional situation students have experienced. Financial assistance will be provided to all SUSI eligible students and to EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the state. EU full-time students outside of the SUSI system must be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: The Student Grant Scheme contains a number of qualifying thresholds for various grant values. These gradations allow students just over a threshold margin, to remain in receipt of a grant, albeit at a reduced rate that reflects their relative income vis-à-vis other applicants. The scheme provides for different levels of income thresholds where families have (i) less than 4...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Institutes of Technology (8 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: I thank the Senator for raising these matters with me and indeed for doing so consistently over recent weeks and months. Certainly, a week has not gone by when we have not engaged on this at least two or three times and I thank him for his commitment. We have a shared desire to rectify a wrong whereby the south east is the only region in our country not to have a university. The lack of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Institutes of Technology (8 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: What the Senator has suggested sounds entirely logical to me. This decision, obviously, will be made by the TU governing authority but as I have said clearly, the speculation around Kilkenny is baseless and idle. It is misinformed, unhelpful and potentially divisive at a crucial moment for this project. There have been many false dawns for this university in the south east. I am refusing...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to address the Seanad today, and also for her comments on this matter a number of months ago. They did have an impact and I acknowledge her leadership in recognising this untapped potential.There has been too much of the public sector talking the talk and expecting the private sector to walk the walk. We need to step up here....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: I hope the Senator and I have many chances to engage. She made a point about how we attract young people, be they male, female or even not-so-young individuals. One of the projects I am working relates to reform of the Central Applications Office. In this country, we narrow the discussion about the full range of options far too early. In my home town, the conversation is often whether...