Results 341-360 of 33,686 for speaker:Simon Harris in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006, and the Technological Universities Act 2018. As such they are autonomous in relation to their administrative and academic affairs, including their admission procedures and policies. I would encourage the student to make contact with University...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Only in exceptional cases can candidates who are under 23 be assessed without reference to their parents/guardians income or address, Article 21(3)(b) of the Scheme refers. The assessment of a case of estrangement is carefully considered to ensure there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the exceptional circumstances pertaining in such cases genuinely exists. The scheme does not...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Inclusion is a core goal for my Department across the tertiary education system and equity of access to Further & Higher Education continues to be a national priority for the Government and my Department. While higher education institutions are autonomous, the approach of my Department has been to offer a range of supports which enable them to meet national objectives, including those...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The Student Grant Scheme is a critical financial support for students participating in further and higher education. As in any statutory scheme, a core principle of the scheme is that there is consistency of approach and an equitable treatment for applicants as part of the means assessment process. All applications are assessed nationally with reference to the terms and conditions of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science(DFHERIS) has no policy responsibility for transport links. However, we are acutely aware of the issues students have raised. This is a matter we are examining and we are consulting with the Department of Transport.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Staff (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Awaiting reply from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Advertising (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The information in respect of the public bodies within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by the Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.Attached is also a breakdown in tabular form of the advertising spend of my Department for each of the years 2020 to 2022. To note,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Official Engagements (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Awaiting reply from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Official Engagements (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: At the request of the Irish Representative Office in Ramallah, an official of my Department met with an education delegation from the Palestinian Authority, who were attending a conference in Dublin Castle on 2 December 2022.The purpose of the meeting was to explain the structure of the Irish Tertiary system, and to invite any comments/ discussions. The Higher Education Authority and Leargas...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The issue of academic career precarity is and will remain an important element of the work of my Department. As such, many of the proposals identified in the motion passed by Seanad Éireann are being progressed. As announced in the recent Budget, an additional €193 million in funding is being provided over 2023 and 2024 to the Higher Education sector. This includes some...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: As requested by the Deputy, I am pleased to attach a table outlining the FET Capital Grants paid to the Education and Training Board sector for 2021, 2022 and to end of October in 2023. Capital Available in 2021 Capital Available in 2022 Capital Available from January to October 2023 CORK ETB ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The Climate Action Plan 2023 includes the expansion of Ireland’s electric vehicle fleet as a key objective and set an ambitious target of 30% of our private car fleet having made the switch to electric vehicles by 2030. This expansion will see a significant increase in new skills requirements. The Expert Group for Future Skills Needs report Skills for Zero Carbonestimates that the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Costs (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, graduate entry medicine (GEM) is a pathway for degree holders who want to pursue a medical career on an accelerated four year programme. Students pursuing GEM programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding. They are also not eligible for funding under the Student Grant Scheme as they do not meet the progression...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Reform (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Ensuring a supply of qualified vets to meet the demands of Ireland's agri-food and healthcare sector is an important issue for my Department. As you will be aware, a number of institutions put forward proposals following the recent HEA Expression of Interest process outlining options for the development of new programmes, as well as expansion of existing veterinary medicine programmes. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1402 and 1403 together. I welcome the recent announcement from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) providing a new and increased financing investment of €434m student accommodation to support higher education institutions in the development of affordable student housing. The new scheme, backed by a forty-year...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) have agreed a new €434m student accommodation financing initiative to support higher education institutions in the development of affordable student housing. The new scheme, backed by a forty-year €200m EIB loan, is expected to support the delivery of an estimated 2,700 new student beds across Ireland. The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) have agreed a new €434m student accommodation financing initiative to support higher education institutions in the development of affordable student housing. The new scheme, backed by a forty-year €200m EIB loan, is expected to support the delivery of an estimated 2,700 new student beds across Ireland. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The Department is aware that Galway Roscommon ETB (GRETB) have submitted a Business Case to SOLAS in respect of the purchase of a property in Roscommon for the purpose of provision of new apprenticeship capacity plus potentially consolidating existing FET provision from Lisnamult, Roscommon. The business case is currently being appraised by SOLAS against a number of requirements...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Contracts (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department does not have any contracts in place with the company in question and has had no such contracts with this firm in previous years.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1409, 1422 and 1423 together. The information requested by the Deputy is presently being compiled by SOLAS. An answer will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.