Results 10,001-10,020 of 45,539 for speaker:Simon Harris

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...

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...