Results 10,221-10,240 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: The establishment of technological universities (TUs) is an important part of the Government’s higher education and regional development policy as underscored in the Programme for Government 2020. The new Munster Technological University (MTU) will be established on 1 January 2021 and become the second technological university in the State. Last year, the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research and Development (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: There is no doubt that research and innovation will play an essential role in Ireland’s recovery from the current crisis and will assist us in being more prepared for the impacts of other challenges we are facing in the future. The creation of a single department encompassing further and higher education, research, innovation and science demonstrates the recognition of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: The provision of services related to rapid testing and tracing are a matter for the Department of Health, my Department has no role in this provision.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: The increase in the income limits that have taken place in relation to the student grants since 2010 have been in respect of the Special Rate of Grant. This is the highest rate of maintenance grant support available. The income threshold for the Special Rate of Grant is linked to movements in the Old Age Pension (OAP) and the increases in the OAP payments in recent years are reflected in the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: Following the appointment of a new programme executive director in July 2020, there has been significant progress in advancing the project by Carlow and Waterford Institutes of Technology, as the TUSEI development consortium, to develop a technological university (TU) for the South East. I met and was updated by the Institutes’ presidents and governing body chairpersons on 28...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: The assessment of means under the student grant scheme is based on gross income from all sources, with certain social welfare and health service executive payments being exempt. Student grant applications for academic year 2020/21 are assessed based on income earned in 2019. As per Article 22(5)(b) of the Student Grant Scheme 2020, income from an applicant’s employment which...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Brexit Issues (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: In accordance with the principles Common Travel Area, Irish students pursuing their higher education studies in the UK will not be treated as International students for fee purposes. Officials in my Department are currently engaged in intensive discussion with their counterparts in the Devolved Administrations in the UK with a view to finalising the fees to be charged to Irish Students,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: The creation of technological universities (TUs) represents a step change in the State’s higher education system and strengthens the ambitions of Government for technological education. TUs will bring significant benefits in terms of increased reach, international recognition, research capacity building, FDI attraction, skills retention and creation, regional development, enhanced...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Dec 2020)

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 EU...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: At the outset it is important to note that postgraduate study in the higher education system in Ireland takes place across a very wide and diverse set of disciplines and extends from taught masters programmes to advanced and specialised post-graduate research. While the introduction of strict public health restrictions impacted widely on postgraduate students, the shift to online learning...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: The National Access Plan (NAP) has set targets to increase participation in higher education by People with disabilities. Specific targets have been set to increase participation in higher education by students with physical or sensory disabilities. A Progress Review of the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education and the Priorities to 2021was published in December 2018. The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: The development of a sustainable funding model for higher education is essential in light of the centrality of higher education to our progress as a country. The future development of Ireland as an inclusive society and a knowledge economy, against the backdrop of rapid technological change will be critically dependant on the quality of our graduates. In that context, a comprehensive...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: As part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: 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 preserve of a relatively small proportion of the school leaving...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: The support and wellbeing of our students is a priority for my Department, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increased stress and pressure resulting from it. While Ireland was on Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID all further and higher education institutions delivered the majority of their classes online with only essential activities held on site. While I...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (15 Dec 2020)

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: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: The Student Grant Scheme, administered by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), provides grant assistance 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. Approved courses for the Student Grant Scheme 2020 are prescribed in the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 318 and 321 together. I am conscious of the challenges faced by students regarding student accommodation this year due to financial pressures and the blended learning format of the 2020/21 academic year. Throughout the last number of months my Department has been engaging with representatives from the higher education sector to address the challenges...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: Under the July stimulus package an additional funding allocation of €47.5m was provided for Higher Education skills-related programmes to help get people back to work, upskill workers and build economic confidence while continuing to manage the impact of COVID-19. The higher education elements of the July stimulus package were in three broad areas – further support for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: I wish to advise the Deputy that Department of Finance Circular 47/01 provides for the reimbursement, by Government Departments, of professional membership fees paid by staff. The Circular provides for reimbursement of such fees where the continued membership of professional bodies or associations is necessary for the performance of an officer’s official duties, and where the benefits...