Ninth Level Ireland

“Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael): With the agreement of the House, I will share my time with the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins. I welcome the opportunity to update the House on the impact of Covid-19 on the further and higher education sector. I was a little disappointed that, for the first time in my political career, some Members of the Dáil actually voted not to have me here today for questions and answers. I find that a little bit regrettable, as almost half a million people in this country are in further or higher education …” (more)

[Dáil debates, 14 January]

“Christopher O’Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail): To ask the Minister for [Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science] the main policy initiatives undertaken by his Department since 27 June 2020; and his main priorities for 2021 …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 14 January]

“Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris TD, has confirmed a new working group will be established to examine how to enhance student wellbeing. The group will be chaired by the Union of Students in Ireland and will be tasked with identifying, refining and implementing strategies to enhance learner engagement and wellbeing …” (more)

[gov.ie, 14 January]

“The Minister Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, has today (13 January 2021) extended the closing date for expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced candidates for consideration for nomination as Chairperson of the first Governing Body of Munster Technological University (MTU) to 9 February 2021 …” (more)

[gov.ie, 13 January]

“Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris TD has today confirmed further restriction of onsite third level activity in response to the deteriorating COVID-19 situation. Further and higher education are operating primarily online with most activities delivered remotely during this academic year …” (more)

[gov.ie, 6 January]

“Unite the Union – which represents technical staff in College – has strongly condemned a ‘lack of leadership’ in Trinity, after it announced today that staff and students would be notified about arrangements for the second semester ‘by Friday’. Cieran Perry, the secretary of Trinity’s Unite the Union house committee, said that the union was ‘very disappointed with the lack of leadership from the college’ …” (more)

[Cormac Watson, University Times, 5 January]

“Before Christmas, Ireland’s new Department for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science embarked on a consultation about its strategy for 2021-23. Like most other departments, the Department of Theoretical Physics at Maynooth made a collective submission to this consultation and we await further developments …” (more)

[In the Dark, 4 January]

“The Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science today announced the publication of Education Indicators 2020 – a special report which sets out to provide a comprehensive set of educational indicators for the education system in Ireland. The data in the report cover all levels of education …” (more)

[Department of Education, 28 December]

“Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills cad iad na pleananna atá ag a Roinn chun seirbhísí faoina riar a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge, chun cur le líon na seirbhísí atá ar fáil trí Ghaeilge faoina riar, agus chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn, le linn 2021 …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 16 December]

“Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he is satisfied that the budget for his Department is adequate to meet the anticipated requirements throughout 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 10 December]

“The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has today launched a consultation on the work of the new department. The department is drafting its Statement of Strategy 2021-2023, which will set out how the department does its work over the next three years, and what its guiding principles are …” (more)

[gov.ie, 2 December]

“Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the transfer of research and innovation components from Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; when the transfer will be complete; if the units as they currently exist in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment will be transferred in their entirety; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 19 November]

“The number of students in direct provision who will qualify for the Susi grant for third level education has increased five-fold after Government changes to qualifying criteria. Last year just five students qualified for Susi (Student Universal Support Ireland) grants for either fees or maintenance or both but 25 students have qualified in the 2020/2021 academic year following a review of the support scheme …” (more)

[Marie O’Halloran, Irish Times, 23 November]

“Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael): I very much welcome the opportunity to update the House on some of the work of the new Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science just under five months on from its creation and the formation of the Government. I very much appreciate the support and interest from all sides of the Oireachtas for a new stand-alone Department to place a renewed focus on the further and higher education sectors and enhance and develop research and innovation …” (more)

[Dáil debates, 19 November]

“Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has today announced ring-fenced funding of €300,000 for targeted supports to address the implications of COVID-19 for Traveller transfer to and progression within higher education …” (more)

[gov.ie, 12 November]

“Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, has announced a €5 million fund designed to drive teaching and learning innovation across the higher education sector. The aim of the fund is to improve how to teach and learn in a digital world …” (more)

[Maura O’Shea, HEA, 9 November]

“Third-level colleges are being advised to increase on-campus activity for first- year students due to concerns that significant numbers are at risk of dropping out or disengaging from their courses. Most teaching and learning at third level has been taking place online since colleges reopened in September, due to Covid-19 public-health restrictions. Only small classes such as practicals and laboratory work have been permitted to take place on campus …” (more)

[Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 9 November]

“A €15 million grant for the furthering of campus infrastructure in colleges across Ireland has been announced by Simon Harris. The funding will be provided by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science through the Higher Education Authority (HEA) …” (more)

[Rosie Kuntz, College Tribune, 3 November]

“Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, has today confirmed that an additional €15 million is to be given to higher education institutions for capital works and equipment, bringing the minor works capital allocation for this academic year to its highest point in a decade …” (more)

[gov.ie, 2 November]

“University College Cork (UCC) and Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) are set to benefit from new funding announced by the Minister for Further and Higher Education. Simon Harris has announced that €15m is to be given to higher education institutions for campus upgrade and infrastructure …” (more)

[Steve Nevillen, Irish Examiner, 2 November]