Results 61-80 of 33,673 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: I published the fourth National Access Plan to Higher Education in August 2022. The plan aligns with and builds on the wider ambitions of the Programme for Government to provide accessible, affordable education to all citizens. The plan identifies students with a disability including students with an intellectual disability as groups who are underrepresented in Higher Education. Since the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: Craft apprenticeships have a largely standardised delivery model. SOLAS serve as a central coordinating provider, setting curricula across programmes. Craft apprenticeship programmes are continually monitored with the aim to keeping them up-to-date and in line with industry standards. Programme content is updated from time to time to allow for technical or legislative changes. QQI will be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: The Deputy will be aware that over the course of 2023, Cavan Monaghan ETB (CMETB) were supported by SOLAS in developing their Preliminary Business Case (PBC) proposal for Cavan town under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund. The development of a robust PBC is fundamental to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines. CMETB submitted their business case for their FET...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: The Deputy will be aware that over the course of 2023, Galway Roscommon ETB (GRETB) were supported by SOLAS in developing their Preliminary Business Case (PBC) proposal for their Mervue site in Galway city under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund. The development of a robust PBC is fundamental to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines. GRETB submitted their...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: Housing for All contains a commitment to support TUs to develop purpose-built student accommodation where such a requirement exists, through access to appropriate financing. In November 2022, Government approved funding of €1m to assist the TU sector in developing a student accommodation programme based on a regional needs and feasibility assessment. The HEA appointed...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: I have been working with Minister O’Brien on this matter and I really want to thank him for his continued support. We both agree the actions of these providers is unacceptable. While it may suit some specific third level students, it is not desirable or affordable for the majority of the student population and we intend to take a number of actions to mitigate this barrier to accessing...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Private Partnerships (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: There are eleven projects being progressed through the PPP programme. Bundle one, consisting of six projects, has commenced construction. There are five projects in Bundle two, two of which are for South East Technological University (SETU) – one at Waterford campus and one at the Carlow campus The project in Waterford is the largest at c. 13,000 sqm in the Higher Education PPP...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: As part of the Short-Term Activation Programme, the University of Galway (UG) received approval to progress a proposed lease approximately 242 additional beds over 15 years, subject to review. This proposal is currently being examined by the HEA as part of a due diligence assessment. A number of other potential developments in Galway may also be amenable to a leasing intervention or...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: The information requested by Deputy Farrell is presently being compiled by SOLAS. An answer will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: It is one of my key priorities that we deliver graduates with the skills necessary to support our healthcare system and support the strategic workforce planning by the health sector, and to ensure a supply of qualified vets to meet the demands of Ireland's agri-food sector. My officials are actively engaging with the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture on determining the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: I can confirm to the Deputy that no EU funding was dispersed via my Department in respect of infrastructural capital projects in the period in question.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: Firstly I would like to offer my sympathies to this student and their family following this tragic life changing accident. It is one of the utmost priorities for me and my Department that we support and promote greater inclusion, equity of access and successful participation in third level education, and provide each student with a physical or intellectual disability, and those from...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: An Teanga Gaeilge (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: Déanann Acht an Choláiste Ollscoile (Leasú) 2006 forálacha áirithe maidir leis an nGaeilge d’Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Leasaítear leis an Acht seo Acht an Choláiste Ollscoile Gaillimh 1929. Foráiltear leis an Acht leasaithe seo: · Cinnteoidh údarás ceannais Choláiste na hOllscoile, Gaillimh gurb é ceann de na...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: I am committed to addressing the supply of more affordable student accommodation for priority group students, in line with policy commitments set out in the National Access Plan (NAP). The NAP aims to support inclusion and diversity in the student body, address the wider struggles and challenges for students, and deliver sustainable progress. It recognises the needs of vulnerable learners,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 642, 651 and 652 together. The Deputy's questions reflect the need to understand innovation as central to the continued success of our economy, and to allow Ireland's workforce to continue to thrive amid rapid and widespread change. This is a central theme of the OECD Review of Ireland's National Skills Strategy which I launched last May. Against the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible 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 a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science does not place a cap on the number of Pharmacy places and therefore higher education institutions (HEIs) are in a position to increase places in line with their autonomy without Departmental consent. Currently, three higher education institutes have accredited programmes providing professional qualifications...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: The Public Service Apprenticeship Plan was launched in August 2023. It is a key commitment under the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 and is called out as a public service transformation priority in the Public Service Agreement 2024-202, if ratified. The Plan outlines how to grow the number of annual apprenticeship registrations across the public service, including local authorities,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: For the 25 Craft Apprenticeship programmes, the minimum rates of pay are determined by the industry sector to which the employer belongs. This ensures that all craft apprentices with a single employer are subject to a common set of gross wage norms. Gross wage norms are either agreed within the relevant sector or are set out in legally binding Sectoral Employment Orders (SEOs) recommended...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (27 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: Craft apprenticeship instructors are staff under the Career Grade pay scale. Set out at the link below is the Career Grade pay scale under the current Building Momentum public service pay agreement 2021-2023, and the previous Lansdowne Road public service pay agreement 2018-2020. If ratified, the proposed Public Service Agreement providing for increases of 10.25% over 2.5 years will...