Results 10,021-10,040 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 582 and 584 together. According to a HEA report on supply and demand of student accommodation published in 2017, in 2014 the breakdown of HEI-owned and privately owned student accommodation was as follows: HEI-owned Private Total 11,114 20,182 31,296 My Department began tracking the completion of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: This information is not available in my Department, as information on rent paid by students for purpose-built student accommodation is not collected.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (27 Jan 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. Higher education institutions are autonomous institutions as provided for in legislation. The determination, as to the total level of fees to be charged for undergraduate and postgraduate course is a matter for each institution in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Assistance Fund (27 Jan 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, all...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (27 Jan 2021)

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

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: Universities and Institutes of Technology are autonomous and determine their own procedures for admission. The CAO process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on their behalf. Decisions on admissions are made by the higher education institutions who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. Therefore neither I nor my Department have a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 589 and 590 together. I am conscious of the impact that Covid-19 is having on the leaving certificate class of 2021, and will take action as necessary to ensure that a full range of further and higher education options are available to them. In 2020 more students than ever before were offered a place in higher education with more than 49,000 accepting...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Reports (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 591 and 593 together. The Projections of Demand for Full-Time Third-Level Education 2018 – 2040, published in November 2018, are the most recent projections currently available for higher education. It is intended to publish an updated set of projections for higher education later this year. The scenarios outlined in the projections are driven...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: The latest year for which finalised enrolment figures are available is the 2018/2019 academic year. Enrolments for 2018, along with enrolments for 2017 which were used as the baseline for the Projections of Demand for Full-Time Third-Level Education are attached. These figures are taken from the statistics section of the HEA's website:

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 594 and 595 together. In considering this issue, it is important to note that the State currently provides very substantial financial support to undergraduate students in higher education towards the cost of their studies. This support has played a very significant role in facilitating access to and growth in higher education. What was previously the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Local Authority Funding (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: Prior to the establishment of Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), the Student Grant Scheme was administered by the Educational Training Boards and Local Authorities. Undergraduate students whose application for student grant commenced with the Local authorities prior to 2012 remain with the Local authority. The local authorities continue to process renewal applications on a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (27 Jan 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: Third Level Education (27 Jan 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: Third Level Education (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 599, 602, 605, 606, 607, 610 and 611 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: Universities and Institutes of Technology are autonomous and determine their own procedures for admission. The CAO process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on their behalf. Decisions on admissions are made by the higher education institutions who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. Therefore neither I nor my Department have a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Support Schemes (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: The HPAT is independently administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) on behalf of the universities’ medical schools and the RCSI. The selection criteria and process for admission to medical schools is a matter for those institutions in line with their statutory autonomy in relation to academic affairs. Neither I nor my Department have a role in the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Traveller Education (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: Dormant accounts funding of €300,000 was approved in 2021 for targeted supports to address the Implications of COVID-19 for Traveller transfer to and progression within Higher Education. Consultations have commenced between officials in my Department, the Higher Education Authority, Traveller representative groups and representatives from the Higher Education Institutions on the best...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Health and Social Care Professionals (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: In considering the issue of fees, it is important to note that the State currently provides very substantial financial support to undergraduate students in higher education towards the cost of their studies. This support has played a very significant role in facilitating access to and growth in higher education. What was previously the preserve of a relatively small proportion of the school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: The Department is closely monitoring the budgetary impacts of Covid-19, in close engagement with my Department’s agencies and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The Government has already implemented a range of supports for students and for the further and higher education sector in recognition of the impacts of Covid-19. In July 2020 approved a comprehensive package...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Support Schemes (27 Jan 2021)

Simon Harris: My Department does not have a role in tuition fee arrangements or the placement of students enrolled on these courses. During the course of the programme, students are required to undertake placement in different services, including the National Educational Psychological Service and the Health Service Executive. The placement arrangements and conditions are a matter between the higher...