Results 1,001-1,020 of 10,490 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: As well as that, they are working to get people into the programmes. There is no point in saying, "If you are saying you are going to build 35,000 houses, I will build 65,000", without a plan as to how to get young people into apprenticeships.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Visas (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I know Deputy Gannon has been in touch with my office with regard to a particular issue. In recent weeks I have not been available-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Visas (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: -----but my office will gladly meet him with regard to the specific issue he has. I thank Deputy Gannon for raising this question. To be eligible to apply for a student grant, you must be an Irish, EU, EEA, UK or Swiss national or you must have one of the permissions to remain provided by the Minister for Justice, which are listed in the Student Support Act 2011 and the Student Support...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Visas (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Yes.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Visas (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: That is fine. I will arrange that. As a more substantive reply, I will be meeting the Minister, Deputy McEntee, on this issue as well. As Deputy Gannon knows, the stamps relate primarily to the Department of Justice, but my office will arrange that meeting.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Accommodation (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank Deputy Farrell for her kind wishes. Last month, the Taoiseach and I announced the capital investment of €100 million from the national development plan windfall allocation for the delivery of student accommodation projects. This enables the activation of phase 1 of UCD's 493-bed project and the progression of the Maynooth 116-bed project to the construction stage and the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Accommodation (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Deputy very much for that ringing endorsement. I am delighted. What I would say is that a substantial amount of progress has been made in this area in recent years, and that needs to be recognised. This is an interdepartmental process and we must include my colleagues, the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, in the Department of Finance, and the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Accommodation (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I remind the Deputy that in budget 2024, the rent tax credit was increased to €750.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Accommodation (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: In budget 2023, it was also increased. The technological universities element the Deputy referred to is a new area for them. Being able to borrow is a new area for them. In addition, the creation of large-scale capital projects of this nature is also going to be a new area for them. Since I was appointed to this Department, having come from an infrastructure Department, I have been...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Employment Rights (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: In November 2022, Dr Andrea Johnson and Mr David Cagney were appointed to undertake an independent National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers. This is the first time that State supports for PhD students have been considered holistically in this manner. During their exercise they met with over 35 stakeholder organisations, including an all-day workshop with student groups, and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: There are well established routes from further to higher education, providing opportunities for further education and training learners to continue on with their studies if that is what they wish. The Higher Education Links Scheme gives learners the opportunity to use their QQI Level 5 or 6 major award to apply, through the CAO, for a place in the first year of a higher education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Deputy will be aware that over the course of 2023, Cavan Monaghan ETB (CMETB) was supported by SOLAS in developing its' Preliminary Business Case (PBC) proposal for Cavan town under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund. The development of a robust PBC is fundamental to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines. The Cavan town proposal is one of twelve FET College...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The challenge facing students in accessing appropriate student accommodation is an issue which Government and I are actively addressing under Housing for All. I am progressing a new policy to provide State assistance to stimulate the development of new student accommodation. Last month the Taoiseach and I announced the investment of €100m in additional National Development...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and the primary responsibility for the management of an institution rests with the Governing Body. Under the Higher Education Authority Act 2022 the statutory responsibilities of Governing Bodies includes management of the financial affairs of institutions to secure value for money and financial viability. The Higher Education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I can advise that the total level of Purpose Built Student Accommodation stock stands at over 48,000 with publicly owned or operated student accommodation beds accounting for 15,519 and the remainder being privately owned and operated. Current supply figures indicate that 14,599 purpose built student beds have been built since 2017. Of these, an additional 1,021 publicly funded beds were...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Last month An Taoiseach and I announced €100m in additional capital under the National Development Plan that will support delivery of 1,014 new and additional student beds, with delivery commencing from the 2025/2026 academic year. This allocation enables the activation of Phase 1 of UCD’s stalled student project for delivery of 493 student beds for delivery in 2027/28. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Consortia-led apprenticeships were developed from 2016 onwards to respond to emerging skills shortages, and are providing employment, career development and a pathway to a recognised qualification for apprentices across nearly 50 occupations. This model has grown significantly with registrations rising by 134% from 2019 to 2023. Information on the number of multinationals participating in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: It is an important part of our democracy that everyone has the right and the freedom to protest in a peaceful manner and in keeping with the law of the land. This right of course extends to students, staff and researchers of higher education institutions, who are part of academic communities and also operate within the context of their institution's own rules and procedures. Critically,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I welcome the opportunity to set out some of the main actions led by my Department to help alleviate constraints that inevitably arise to meeting labour demand in a full employment economy. My Department's focus is to ensure that the workforce are equipped with the skills required to deliver Government priorities for residential construction and retrofitting, offshore wind energy and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (23 May 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I have been engaging with Minister O’Brien and our officials on the decision of some private student accommodation providers to move to 51-week leases from the traditional leases which reflected the academic year. I recognise that while there may be a market for 51-week leases among some members of the student population, it is not desirable for the vast majority of third level...