Results 10,021-10,040 of 45,539 for speaker:Simon Harris

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.

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

Simon Harris: The fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety factors including the type of course and the student's access route including previous education. Entry to medicine in Irish HEIs is provided through both undergraduate and graduate entry routes. Under the Department's Free Fees Initiative, the Exchequer pays tuition fees on behalf of eligible first time undergraduate students...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Medical Research and Training (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: Horizon Europe is the ninth iteration of the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.  It will be officially launched on 02 February 2021. It builds upon the activities and research funded by the previous Framework Programme, Horizon 2020. Like Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe adopts a three-pillar approach: - Open science pillar– which continues the focus on supporting...

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

Simon Harris: I appreciate that this is a time of considerable stress and concern for third level students and the challenging and stressful circumstances that students are facing are being taken into account by Higher Education institutions as they adapt and respond to the changing situation. This includes the consideration of issues around on-site access for practical work for students. The national...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Erasmus+ Programme (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: In response to expressed concerns by civic society in Northern Ireland, the Irish Government has committed to facilitating the continued access to Erasmus mobilities for higher education students in NI institutions.  Officials in my Department have engaged with their counterpart in the Department of the Economy in Northern Ireland on this matter. It is planned that eligible students...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Erasmus+ Programme (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: Provision was made in the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement, which would enable the UK Government to continue its participation in Erasmus programme.  However, it decided not to avail of this mechanism.  It is open to the UK Government to apply to the EU Commission at any future stage to participate in the scheme.  Acceptance of such an application would facilitate the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Erasmus+ Programme (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: The Erasmus+ programme is the main avenue through which my Department and the Higher Education community support studying abroad for third-level students. The European Commission has been engaged in work to examine what is possible given the current state of the pandemic across Europe. The European Commission approved the new work programme for Erasmus+ (2021-2028) in December 2020. The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Erasmus+ Programme (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: Despite disruptions to the programme caused by the pandemic, the Higher Education Authority (HEA), which is the national agency with responsibility for the Erasmus+ programme at Higher Education level, oversaw 4079 Erasmus outbound mobilities from Ireland (3876 students and 203 staff) and 8655 incoming mobilities to Ireland (7648 students and 1007 staff) for the 2019/2020 period. The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Erasmus+ Programme (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Harris: The European Commission has provided funds to assist Erasmus students with costs incurred as part of cancelled or rearranged mobilities this year. In cases where students had to cancel their Erasmus mobility due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the student is entitled to receive support in covering their travel expenses if they were not able to cancel their travel booking and where reimbursement...

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

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy is not available, as data on rent paid by students for purpose-built student accommodation is not collected.

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

Simon Harris: At present, the Level 5 measures designate higher and further education as essential insofar as onsite presence is required for education activities that cannot be held remotely. In overall terms, the sectors have rapidly adjusted to a more restrictive environment again, with all further and higher education institutions conducting the vast majority of their provision online. The balance...

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

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, 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 specific information requested...