Results 10,261-10,280 of 45,539 for speaker:Simon Harris

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...

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

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 324, 334 and 335 together. The vision of National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2015-2021 is that the student body entering, participating in, and completing higher education at all levels reflects the diversity and social mix of Ireland’s population. The plan set out five goals and more than thirty actions, developed following...

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

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 325, 327, 329 and 336 together. The distinction between academic and technical courses is not one used by my Department. Figures on enrolments by subject area for the years 2014 - 2018 is available in the attached table. 2018 is the latest year for which this data is available. This year more students than ever before were offered a place in higher education...

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

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 328, 330 and 331 together. Innovation 2020, the current national strategy for research and development, science and technology, acknowledges the importance of the pipeline of skilled and talented individuals playing a critical factor in innovation. From pre-primary through to further and higher education and throughout an individual’s career, skills...

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

Simon Harris: The tertiary education system has a number of key strategies in place at all levels to ensure we meet existing and future skills demands. These include policies designed to ensure a pipeline of suitably qualified science and technical graduates, and initiatives to equip young people and the working population more generally with the skills and capacity to meet these demands.  ...

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

Simon Harris: The main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme where students are studying for the first time or are progressing to study at a higher level e.g. progressing to postgraduate study. To qualify for grant support, a student has to meet various criteria such as means, residency, nationality and progression. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a...

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

Simon Harris: A summary of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science funding allocations for 2021 is set out in Chapter 9 of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s 2021 Expenditure Report that was published on 13 October 2020 as part of 2021 Budget day documentation. This sets out the main areas identified for funding in 2021, with the caveat that...

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

Simon Harris: The current position is the CAO process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on behalf of higher education institutions, which are autonomous.   Decisions on admissions are made by the HEIs who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates.  It is my intention that an important part of the work of my new Department will be to expand...

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

Simon Harris: The transition rate of pupils from post-primary to higher education has remained relatively steady in recent years, varying between 63% and 64%. This refers to the proportion of post-primary school completers who enter higher education up to five years after they finish post-primary education. Ireland has one of the highest educational attainment rates in the OECD, with 55% of 25-34 year olds...

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

Simon Harris: The Irish Survey of Student Engagement National Report 2020 was published in November, in partnership with the HEA, the IUA, THEA and the USI.  StudentSurvey.ie asks students directly about their experiences of higher education, including their academic, personal, and social development. In 2020, 44,707 students in 26 higher education institutions participated. For the purposes of...

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

Simon Harris: The student numbers for all faculties during the academic year 2018/19 is contained in the attached excel spreadsheet. The Department of Education's STEM Education Policy Statement 2017–2026, published in November 2017, sets out the ambitious goals and actions required to achieve and improve the STEM education experience and outcomes for all learners from Early Years to Post...