Results 1,161-1,180 of 10,778 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Student Accommodation (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: If the Deputy asks a question, he should at least give me an opportunity to answer it. I did not interrupt him. As somebody who stayed in digs in Cork myself, in Hartlands Avenue, a number of years ago, I know that these are private family homes into which people bring students. We have to be very conscious that they are private homes. The vast majority who have stayed in them would...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Artificial Intelligence (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: When the Deputy and I last discussed this topic, in May, we talked about how artificial intelligence holds transformative potential for workplaces in Ireland and what we are doing to ensure that workers of all types have the skills needed to meet challenges around displacement and opportunities to enhance their roles via artificial intelligence. Al is also promising to transform how...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Fees (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Deputy. The higher education tuition fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the type of course and the student's access route. The assessment of a student’s application and the determination of the appropriate fee rate is a function of the institution attended. Typically there are two rates of fee, an EU rate of fee or a non-EU...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Fees (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I understand what the Deputy raised but the crux of the matter is the residency issue for three out of the previous five years. That is a long-standing policy within the Department and the Government, as he will appreciate. It comes on the basis of proving that the person has a direct connection to the State and is ordinarily resident here. We appreciate that it obviously costs an awful...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Fees (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: In answering the Deputy's question, we have to be conscious of EU law. We have to make sure that all persons within the European Union are treated equally. The exemption cannot just be available for an Irish citizen within the European Union. Again, I do not know the details of whether the person is within or outside the European Union. It might be better if I get the details and am able...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Student Accommodation (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 56, 65 and 72 together. The first national student accommodation strategy was launched in July 2017. It runs until 2024. The officials in the Department and I are developing a new strategy for student accommodation, which will be published this year. The strategy will align with the long-term student accommodation policy and methodology, which were...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Student Accommodation (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I do not have a date. As soon as I have it, I will bring it to the attention of Deputies. I recognise this is an important issue, as does everybody on all sides of the House. That is why the Government has put the money it has into the sector for the universities I identified. It is the same reason, in last year's budget, we made substantial changes to the tax code in respect of the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Accommodation (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I am aware of the difficulties faced by many students in accessing affordable and suitable student accommodation. The Government is committed to addressing this challenge. This morning, the Cabinet approved the drafting of amendments to the residential tenancies (student-specific accommodation) Bill via an emergency Bill which will deal...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Accommodation (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: This is the second memo that the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and I have brought on this issue. The first was to seek Cabinet approval. Today, the Government approved the priority drafting of the residential tenancies (student-specific accommodation) Bill. This will be welcomed by Deputies on both sides of the House, including the previous Minister and now Taoiseach, as well as myself. It...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Accommodation (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: It has to be primary legislation. The Attorney General advised the Cabinet this morning of his views with regard to it. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and I are confident it can be enacted before the Dáil and Seanad rise for the summer but it will require the co-operation of the Whips. The Deputy will see the legislation as soon as it is published. It is not published yet. When it...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: As the Deputy will be aware, Kildare Wicklow ETBs proposal for Bray Institute of Further Education was successful at the first stage of the assessment process under the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund and is now at the next stage of the process – The development of a Preliminary Business Case. The development of a robust business case is fundamental to the requirements of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I welcome the Deputy's question and I am happy to advise him that many of the suite of apprenticeships programmes currently in place equip participants with relevant skills that are essential to support the success of Ireland's wind energy sector. In light of the extensive supply chain required for wind farm development, these apprenticeship programmes include the wind turbine...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I have been engaging with Minister O’Brien and our officials on the decision of some private student accommodation providers to move to 51-week leases from the traditional leases which reflected the academic year. I recognise that while there may be a market for 51-week leases among some members of the student population, it is not desirable for the vast majority of third level...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I recognise the importance of enhancing environmental and climate expertise within the planning profession. Indeed, it is clear that sustainability needs to be embedded in a whole range of disciplines in order to prepare learners for the world of work. At the same time, it is important to recognise that it is higher education institutions and relevant professional regulators who are...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Inclusion is one of the six strategic goals set out in my Department's Statement of Strategy. The National Access Plan has identified a number of priority-groups who are underrepresented in higher education and need additional focus, including students with ADHD. My Department has provided funding of an additional €35 million to support the objectives of the NAP over its lifetime...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Deputy for her question. I am working to ensure that we have more graduates in healthcare disciplines, and particularly the therapies, to supply the children's disability network teams, and the broader healthcare workforce needs. Work is ongoing in collaboration with the Department of Health, HSE and the Higher Education Sector to maximise the expansion in key discipline areas...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Under Government initiatives for student accommodation, two proposals have been submitted by the University of Galway. The Higher Education Authority progressed due diligence assessment on the proposals, however during the assessment stage the proposals were withdrawn by the vendors. The Department and the Higher Education Authority will continue to engage with the University of Galway in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Our health and social care professionals are vital to so many of our public services, advocating for the most vulnerable in our society. Ensuring we have a sufficient supply of social work and social care professionals is a priority for my Department. That is why I was delighted to recently announce the launch of two new pathways in social work which will both increase the number of people...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: As the Deputy will be aware, Galway Roscommon ETBs (GRETB) proposal for the construction of a new FET College of the Future on a site owned by GRETB adjacent to its Mervue Training facility was successful at the first stage of the assessment process under the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund and is now in the next stage of the process – the development of a Preliminary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (25 Jun 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: An inclusive higher education system is a national and European priority. Supporting Inclusion is one of the six strategic goals set out in my Department’s Statement of Strategy. The National Access Plan (NAP) which was launched in 2022 aims to support inclusion and diversity in our student body, address the wider struggles and challenges for students, and deliver sustainable...