Results 9,981-10,000 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (4 Feb 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 chaired by...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: The decision on eligibility for student grant assistance is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.  A student grant may continue to be paid where a student is required to participate in a placement as a compulsory part of an approved undergraduate or postgraduate...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme (4 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/progression and means. To satisfy the terms and conditions of the Scheme in relation to progression, a student must be moving...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 160, 161 and 162 together. The challenge to deliver suitably qualified and adequate numbers of graduates to meet the demands of the workplace is a fundamental focus for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. It is also fundamental that we drive vibrant higher and further education sectors in Ireland which produce...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 163, 164, 166 and 167 together. From pre-primary through to further and higher education and throughout an individual’s career, skills and knowledge need to be continuously enhanced if individuals, employers and countries are to realise their potential. The expansion of higher education has been a key enabling factor in the growth of the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research and Development (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: A vibrant enterprise sector is a prerequisite for a strong, advanced economy, and a strong economy in turn provides the foundation for a progressive, sustainable and inclusive society. The enterprise sector provides quality employment which is important for our standard of living and inclusivity. The enterprise sector is hugely important in driving innovation in this country. Almost 75%...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 to 171, inclusive, 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. There are a number of key strategies in place at all levels to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: The Government has agreed that Level 5 as set out in the Plan for Living with COVID-19 will apply nationally and will remain in place until midnight on 5 March 2021. Level 5 measures designate higher and further education as essential insofar as onsite presence is required and such education activities cannot be held remotely. On 6th January I confirmed that further and higher education will...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Support Schemes (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students, financial assistance will be provided in academic year 2020/21 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (3 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Retention Rates (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 521 together. My Department is acutely aware of the additional challenges faced by students as a result of Covid-19, and is conscious that this could have the potential to impact on progression rates, particularly for first year students. We are engaging regularly with the sector to understand how the student experience is being impacted as the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Work Placement Programmes (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 520, 524, 547, 548 and 550 together. 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: Higher Education Institutions are autonomous institutions 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 and administrative processes, including in relation to admissions and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Support Schemes (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: The programme for Government contains commitments to, among other things, review SUSI eligibility criteria, adjacency rates and postgraduate grant supports. My Department will oversee the implementation of the review through a steering group with student representation as well as representation from SUSI. It is intended that the review will commence shortly and will...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 526 and 529 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, while the operation of support measures for third level students is a function of this Department, tax matters are a function of the Revenue Commissioners. The scheme ensures students who avail of the Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) grant, including students studying abroad, will receive...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students, financial assistance will be provided in academic year 2020/21 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students the Government approved once-off funding of €50m to provide additional financial assistance in this academic year.  The funding, which was provided in Budget 2021, in recognition of the significant upheaval they have experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will offer financial assistance to all EU...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: Higher Education Institutions are autonomous institutions 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 and administrative processes, including in relation to repeat exams....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (3 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 students on the issue of accommodation refunds. As a result of the decision to minimise on-site teaching,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: The Institute in question is a private body. It does not fall under the remit of this Department and is not designated as a Competent Authority under Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has no role in the setting of fees by this Institute.