Results 10,281-10,300 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Data Protection (3 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: Since my Department was established in July 2020, it has not been the subject of any formal statutory investigation by the DPC under the Data Protection Acts. There is an ongoing formal investigation relating to SUSI, a body under the aegis of my Department, which is a joint controller of data with my Department, in response to a breach reported by SUSI in 2018, prior to the establishment of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (3 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 full-time...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (3 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 298 together. The application for TU designation under the Technological Universities Act 2018 by the MTU TU development consortium, comprising Cork Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Tralee, on 12 February 2019 was subject to a comprehensive assessment process including an advisory panel review and the views of the Higher Education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (3 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy is not available. UCD, TCD and DCU are autonomous institutions within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997 and under this legislation they are entitled to regulate their own administrative processes. Neither I nor my Department have a role in the administration of fee waivers for staff within these institutions, and information on them is not held...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (3 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: In line with the Common Travel Area, I can assure the Deputy that Irish students, unlike students from other EU Member States, 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...

Seanad: Technological Universities Agenda: Statements (2 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: I am grateful for the opportunity for me and the Minister of State, Deputy Collins, who will also contribute to the debate, to update the House on the progression of the technological university agenda nationally. I am delighted to see such interest in this in Seanad Éireann. It warms my heart that the time for these statements was extended. I am encouraged that there is great...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme (2 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: The principal support provided by the Department in financial terms is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the terms of the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded 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. The decision on eligibility for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme (2 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: Under the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is available to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the terms and conditions of funding, including those relating to residency, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised grant...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (2 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: Due to the differences between different types of part time courses, no meaningful average cost can be provided to the Deputy. Part-time and flexible students can fall under a number of categories such part-time students on traditional on-campus full-time programmes, blended learning, evening/weekend on-campus students and remote students. Part-time students can take a wide range of number of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (2 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: I am conscious of the challenges faced by students in relation to 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 faced by students in this difficult time. My Department, in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (2 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: The Government supports the gradual, negotiated repeal of the FEMPI legislation, having due regard to the priority to improve public services and in recognition of the essential role played by public servants. The matter of new entrant pay is a cross sectoral issue, not just an issue for the education sector alone and the public service agreements have allowed a programme of pay restoration...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (2 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: Requests for funding for Teagasc students is a matter for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. I have been in contact with my colleague the Minister for Agriculture on this matter and I will refer your query to him for direct response.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme (2 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. An approved course for grant support must lead to a major award between...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 543, 544 and 558 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 545 and 546 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 547 and 548 together. In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students the Government has approved once off funding of €50 m 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Higher Education Institutions (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: Higher education institutions (HEIs) 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 HEIs who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. Therefore neither I nor my Department have a function in relation to such matters....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: In line with the Common Travel Area, Irish students, unlike students from other EU Member States, 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, reflective of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: Higher Education Institutions are administratively and academically independent, and have the right to determine their own criteria and procedures for admission. Neither I nor my Department have a role in the determination or review of these admissions processes. A review of the Leaving Certificate and International Baccalaureate curriculum and examinations across a representative range of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Data (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Harris: The information as requested by the Deputy is not readily available. My Department is in the process of working with its agencies to collect and collate the data in question and will revert with a reply to the Deputy directly as soon as it is received.