“The student housing crisis is ‘the worst it’s ever been’ – with thousands on waiting lists for rooms; hundreds relying on hostels and friends’ sofas; and countless more facing deferral or dropping out altogether …” (more)
[Stephen Corrigan, Connacht Tribune, 16 September]
“There ‘must be a better way’ to decide on third-level admissions than the Leaving Cert, the Minister for Further Education has said. Speaking in Dublin on Wednesday, Simon Harris said he is not sure the current exam and points race is ‘the right way to go’, referring to the fact that a number of students who achieved maximum marks in the Leaving Cert could still miss out on their preferred course due to their being more students applying than places available …” (more)
[Paul Hosford, Irish Examiner, 8 September]
“Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, has today announced an additional €38 million for higher education institutions for the 2021 to 2022 academic year. The devolved capital grant allocation will facilitate higher institutions to address a number of key capital investment priorities …” (more)
[gov.ie, 6 September]
“The minister for higher education is set to overhaul the CAO system to include further education and apprenticeships. From November, the CAO website will be revamped to include those areas in a bid to ease what has been dubbed the ‘points race’ …” (more)
[Paul Hosford, Irish Examiner, 6 September]
“The Government is aiming to ensure about three-quarters of all CAO applicants will get one of their top-three choices when college offers are released on Tuesday afternoon. A combination of record-breaking Leaving Certificate results and higher numbers of college applicants – 84,000 – are expected to push CAO points higher for many courses on Tuesday …” (more)
[Carl O’Brien and Ronan McGreevy, Irish Times, 5 September]
“Higher Education Minister Simon has pledged Government support as this Monday marks the return of many third level students to college campuses. Writing on social media today he said: ‘This Monday, many third level students will return to college campuses – for some, it’ll be the first time in over a year, for others it will be the first time ever …'” (more)
[Independent, 4 September]
“Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris today (Friday) welcomed the publication of the Higher Education Research Group’s review of the Irish higher education research system. The Review examined a number of strategic themes to help drive the future performance of higher education research activity in Ireland …” (more)
[MerrionStreet.ie, 3 September]
“Today is such an exciting and important day for 61,000 students across the country receiving their Leaving Cert results. There will be many people excited and happy with their results, but there will, of course, be disappointment for some too. I want to assure you the points you have received today do not define you or in any way represent all of your capabilities and potential …” (more)
[Simon Harris, TheJournal.ie, 3 September]
“The Minister for Higher and Further Education has said he is excited about the reopening of college campuses. Simon Harris said: ‘Students who’ve been doing college at the kitchen table will now be going back to college …'” (more)
[RTÉ News, 2 September]
“The chair of the Joint Governing Body of the AIT-LIT Consortium, Professor Tom Collins, has welcomed the announcement that Professor Vincent Cunnane is to be the first President of the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest …” (more)
[Limerick Leader, 31 August]
“Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, today (Friday, 27 August 2021) announced further improvements to the Student Support Scheme for eligible students in the international protection system to access third-level education for 2021/2022 …” (more)
[DFHERIS, 27 August]
“The breakdown of the cost of college will surprise few in third level. But at this time of year, when the cost of going back to school is all over the media, students deserve a look in, writes the Editorial Board. Going to college is now simply accepted as being expensive in Ireland. It shouldn’t be …” (more)
[University Times, 22 August]
“The higher education minister has said that it will be up to Irish colleges to determine how they can hold lectures safely in the coming academic year. Speaking on Monday, Simon Harris indicated that the Government would not be prescribing a set of specific rules for how lectures should be held when students return to college in several weeks’ time …” (more)
[Dominic McGrath and James Ward, BreakingNews.ie, 23 August]
“Athlone Institute of Technology is in line for a multimillion-euro upgrade as part of its elevation to university status. Longford developer and former Athlone IT graduate Mark Cunningham has lodged plans to construct a large-scale student campus as part of a development that is expected to exceed €100 million …” (more)
[Liam Cosgrove, Irish Times, 19 August]
“As university and higher-education stakeholders know all too well, the government has acted on the Cassells report at a glacial – even imperceptible – pace. This week, Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris announced his plan to bring proposals for funding in higher education based on the Cassells report to the government by the end of the year …” (more)
[University Times, 25 July]
“Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris has ruled out the possibility of introducing a student loan system as part of changes made to the funding of higher education following the recommendations of the Cassells report. Harris was responding to questions from Labour’s Education Spokesperson Aodhán Ó Riordáin at the Oireachtas Education Committee …” (more)
[Emer Moreau, University Times, 22 July]
“Limits on the number of people attending college lectures will mean some blended learning will continue into the next academic year, Simon Harris said. The Minister for Higher Education vowed that every student will be on campus when college resumes but said there will be moderation in some class numbers …” (more)
[Cate McCurry, Irish Examiner, 22 July]
“Another €21 million for extra student support also confirmed. Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, has today secured government approval for €105 million for the third-level sector to safely return in September 2021. The package will include financial support for further and higher education to return on-site safely and in line with public health advice. It will also have extra support for students in further and higher education …” (more)
[DFHERIS, 21 July]
“Irish doctoral student experience and standard of awards are endorsed by international report of the European University Association. A new international report has commended Irish higher education institutions for ensuring both the standard of awards, and the quality of student experience, by ‘professionalising’ the delivery of postgraduate research education and training in Ireland …” (more)
[Maura O’Shea, HEA, 21 July]
“The current legislation governing higher education is ‘dated’, and change is needed to allow better accountability and to provide a ‘high-quality, student-focused’ system, the Oireachtas education committee heard earlier today. The committee met to discuss the Higher Education Authority Bill 2021, which is under pre-legislative scrutiny …” (more)
[Jess Casey, Irish Examiner, 20 July]
