Results 10,321-10,340 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Harris: The Government has provided funding in the amount of €168m to support the return of students to further and higher education for the academic year 20/21. This included €150million in new funding and a re-prioritisation of €18million. The specific student supports include a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund, and a €15 million technology fund for devices for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 318 and 321 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: Student Grant Scheme (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Harris: Under the terms of the Student Grant 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. To satisfy the terms and conditions of the Student Grant Scheme in relation to progression, a student must be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Harris: Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 requires that public bodies promote and support the employment of people with disabilities and ensure that 3% of staff employed by them are people with disabilities. Under Part 5 of the Act, departmental monitoring committees furnish an annual report on the performance of its aegis bodies for the previous year. In accordance with the statutory requirement...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (25 Nov 2020)

Simon Harris: It is the Department’s objective, which is shared by the further and higher education sector, to ensure that, where possible, an optimal learning experience is provided in the circumstances that present at any specific time. In “Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19” the following framework is provided by Government in respect of further and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Counselling Services (25 Nov 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. In recent weeks, I launched a new National Framework to address the issues of student mental health and suicide prevention. This Framework is Ireland’s first ever national approach to address student...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Mental Health Policy (25 Nov 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. In recent weeks, I launched a new National Framework to address the issues of student mental health and suicide prevention. This Framework is Ireland’s first ever national approach to address student...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Procurement Contracts (25 Nov 2020)

Simon Harris: Information in respect of the inclusion of social clauses in individual contracts is not routinely compiled by my Department. I will arrange to have the relevant details in respect of the Department's contracts collected and forwarded to the Deputy in due course. Further information requested in regard to the inclusion of social clauses in contracts by an aegis or other publicly funded...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (25 Nov 2020)

Simon Harris: I am very conscious of the impact the pandemic has had on our students. To ensure the safety of our students and staff in further and higher education, the majority of college is online this semester. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Harris: I wish to inform the Deputy that the appeal to which he refers was heard by the independent Student Grant Appeals Board on March 10th 2020. The Board communicated their decision directly via email to the student on March 11th 2020. Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further Education and Training Programmes (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Harris: The information requested is available at the following link: ">BordNaMona

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 635 and 686 together. The National Student Accommodation Strategy (NSAS), published in 2017, was designed to support the delivery of an increased level of supply of purpose-built student accommodation, by reducing barriers for public and private sector developers of student accommodation, and by seeking to address financing barriers for higher education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Procurement Contracts (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Harris: My Department maintains a record of all contracts, over the threshold value of €25,000, awarded without a competitive process during each year of account. Such awards and contract extensions, without engagement with the market are treated as non-compliant with procurement guidelines with the information compiled in line with the requirements set out in the Department of Finance...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Harris: The matter referred to by the Deputy is the subject of listed High Court proceedings taken by the Office of Public Works. For legal reasons I am not, therefore, in a position to comment on the issues raised.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Higher Education Institutions (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Harris: I am greatly concerned by the issues of sexual harrassment and bullying that have emerged in respect of both staff and students within our higher education institutions. Our higher education institutions have a duty of care to their students and staff, and a responsibility to foster a campus culture that is clear in the condemnation of unwanted and unacceptable behaviours, which act as...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Access to Higher Education (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Harris: The National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education (NAP) 2015-2021 identifies the target groups that are currently under-represented in higher education. These include entrants from socio-economic groups that have low participation in higher education including students with disabilities and Irish Travellers. The Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Fund is the funding...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Schemes (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Harris: The number of persons who are either asylum applicants, subsidiary protection applicants, or leave to remain applicants who have availed of the Student Support Scheme for Asylum Seekers since its establishment in 2015 is outlined in the table below. Pilot Support Scheme 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21* ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Erasmus+ Programme (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Harris: My Department has been very conscious of the impact of the UK withdrawal from the EU on the education sector and and has been preparing for the impact for some time. The final outcome of the EU-UK negotiations will determine whether the UK will continue to have access to the Erasmus+ programme beyond the current period. I certainly hope that an agreement on this aspect can be found as it...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Process (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Harris: The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science was established in July 2020. Since the establishment of the Department there have been no applications to waive pre legislative scrutiny of primary and secondary legislation. Information in respect of the period from 1 January 2017 to July 2020 has been referred to the Department of Education for their direct...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Harris: I will be making an assignment of a Data Protection Officer in my Department shortly. The role is currently covered by a Principal Officer based in the Department of Education who acts also as the Data Protection Officer for that Department.