Results 10,821-10,840 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (9 Sep 2020)

Simon Harris: Off the job training for craft apprentices was suspended on the 12th March. At that time there were almost 200 classes of craft apprentices undertaking practical training and assessment in Education and Training Boards (ETBs), Institutes of Technology (IoTs) and TU Dublin. Where possible, theory assessments have been completed remotely. Revision and assessment for approximately 950...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (9 Sep 2020)

Simon Harris: As part of a package of COVID-19 supports for the higher and further education sectors, my Department has allocated €15 million to higher and further education providers for a once-off COVID-19 Grant to support disadvantaged students in accessing ICT devices. This initiative addresses concerns regarding the digital divide in the context of the shift to online and blended models...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland (9 Sep 2020)

Simon Harris: The student grant is a contribution towards the cost of attending college. The scheme provides for different levels of maintenance support, depending on means. Grants are also provided at adjacent and non-adjacent rates and there are provisions for a number of income disregards. The higher non-adjacent rates are intended to provide additional support to those students who may be living away...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Examinations (9 Sep 2020)

Simon Harris: Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous and retain the right to determine their own policies and procedures in relation to academic affairs. The student contribution charge covers the cost of elements such as student registration, admissions and examination fees. However, repeat examination fees are charged separately being set by the individual institution concerned and as...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (9 Sep 2020)

Simon Harris: Since the onset of Covid-19 in March, my Department, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and SOLAS have collaborated with key stakeholders from the sector to identify, quantify and develop options to mitigate the financial impacts of Covid 19 on the sector, including costs associated with the safe commencement of the 2020/21 academic year in line with Public Health advice. The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Oireachtas Joint Committee Recommendations (9 Sep 2020)

Simon Harris: Innovation 2020, the national strategy for research and innovation, recognises that for Ireland to become a Global Innovation Leader, our research and innovation system must be open with strong international collaboration links. Membership of leading international research organisations is an important mechanism for facilitating this engagement. For this reason, the Government gave a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Institutions (9 Sep 2020)

Simon Harris: I am deeply concerned by the findings emerging from the Sexual Experiences Survey 2020(SES) published in June 2020 by the NUI Galway Active Consent Programme in partnership with the union in question. In early August 2020 I wrote to each President of the publically funded higher education institutions requesting that a number of actions be undertaken; including that each institution develops...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (9 Sep 2020)

Simon Harris: Under the Department’s free fees schemes, the Exchequer provides funding toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate Higher Education students with students paying the student contribution. The student contribution fee is currently set at €3,000 per annum and can be paid in instalments. The State pays the contribution in full or part for an estimated 44 per cent...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland (9 Sep 2020)

Simon Harris: In 2020, my Department will spend over €400m on access measures for students. This includes circa €350m on student grants and related activities, which is expected to benefit over 70,000 further and higher education students I recently announced details of a €168m funding package for the return to education. This includes €15m in IT equipment grants for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (9 Sep 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. Under the Departments Free Fees Initiative, the Exchequer pays tuition fees on behalf of eligible students attending approved full-time undergraduate courses. In order to qualify for funding under the Department’s Free Fees...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (9 Sep 2020)

Simon Harris: Under the Department’s free fees schemes, the Exchequer provides funding toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate Higher Education students with students paying the student contribution. The student contribution fee is currently set at €3,000 per annum and can be paid in instalments. The State pays the contribution in full or part for an estimated 44 per cent...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Institutes of Technology (9 Sep 2020)

Simon Harris: The Athlone Institute of Technology STEM building project will be delivered as part of the first bundle of projects in the Higher Education PPP Programme. The project is currently out to tender. Construction is expected to commence during Q4 2021. In the current environment, where there is a requirement for public health measures, including social distancing, to address the COVID-19...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Institutes of Technology (9 Sep 2020)

Simon Harris: Since the onset of Covid-19 in March, the Department, the Higher Education Authority and SOLAS have collaborated with key stakeholders from the sector to address the financial impacts of Covid 19 on the sector, including costs associated with the safe commencement of the 2020/21 academic year in line with Public Health advice. To alleviate the financial impact I have allocated...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (9 Sep 2020)

Simon Harris: Apprenticeship in Ireland has undergone significant reform and expansion over the past 5 years. Pre-existing apprenticeships were reviewed and renewed and the introduction of a new model of apprenticeship has resulted in the development of 33 new consortia-led apprenticeship programmes delivered in innovative ways across all sectors of the economy. The first doctorate-level apprenticeship...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (9 Sep 2020)

Simon Harris: The establishment of technological universities (TUs), including a TU in the Connacht Ulster region, is an important part of the Government’s higher education policy as underscored in the Programme for Government 2020. TUs will provide increased choices for students, an enhanced student experience and greater access for students in tackling educational disadvantage with TUs...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research and Development (9 Sep 2020)

Simon Harris: As Minister for the newly established Department for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, I believe that a key part of my role is highlight the world leading research and innovation being carried out by our institutions and research community, and to ensure that both Government and my colleagues in the Oireachtas are informed by and engage with the research and the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (9 Sep 2020)

Simon Harris: Under the Department’s free fees schemes, the Exchequer provides funding toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate Higher Education students with students paying the student contribution of €3,000 per annum and can be paid in instalments. The state pays the contribution in full or part for an estimated 44 per cent of all students eligible for free fees funding...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research and Development (9 Sep 2020)

Simon Harris: The Irish Universities Association, working with the Technological Higher Education Association, is finalising a Researcher Career Framework in consultation with Government Departments, sectorial representatives and research funders. It is seeking to increase consistency in terms and conditions across funder sources, as well as in institutional good practice in researcher career development,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (9 Sep 2020)

Simon Harris: The establishment of technological universities (TUs) is an important part of the Government’s higher education policy as underscored in the Programme for Government 2020. Under the statutory framework detailed in the Technological Universities Act 2018, it is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant Institutes of Technology participating in a TU development consortium to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Institutions (9 Sep 2020)

Simon Harris: On 5th April 2019 the Framework for Consent in Higher Education Institutions: “Safe, Respectful, Supportive and Positive – Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in Irish Higher Education Institutions” was launched. The Framework aims to ensure the creation of an institutional campus culture which is safe, respectful and supportive. Institutions have a duty of care to...