Ninth Level Ireland

“Earlier this week, Simon Harris – quite rightly – referred to the prevalence of sexual violence on third-level campuses as an ‘epidemic’, and announced a number of initiatives to tackle the issue. Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) Welfare Officer Leah Keogh and the National Women’s Council of Ireland praised Harris on the initiatives he announced …” (more)

[University Times, 2 August]

“Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris is to establish a new forum to engage with staff, students and institutions on key policy areas for the third-level sector. The announcement was made following a meeting between the Minister and trade unions representing staff in the sector on Wednesday …” (more)

[Martin Wall, Irish Times, 30 July]

“University teachers have said that certainty is required urgently on the re-opening process for higher education institutions. The Irish Federation of University Teachers (Ifut) said an official guidance document issued last week said that the response to Covid-19 involved ‘a rapid move to emergency remote teaching and assessment of programmes, without impacting on the integrity of qualifications’ …” (more)

[Martin Wall, Irish Times, 29 July]

“Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD has today (28 July 2020) announced the appointment of an independent person to accelerate plans for a technological university in the South East …” (more)

[Gov.ie, 28 July]

“Consent classes for freshers at third-level will not be made mandatory yet, despite an upsurge in sex assault allegations among students. Higher Education Minister Simon Harris admitted there has been an ‘epidemic’ of sex cases and described consent classes as ‘a very sensible idea from where I stand’ …” (more)

[Senan Molony, Independent, 28 July]

“There is ‘a real epidemic in our country’ around the issues of consent and sexual violence, Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris has said. ‘We need to get really serious about this as a country’ and in the third-level sector in particular ‘we need to take action’, he stressed …” (more)

[Sarah Burns, Irish Times, 27 July]

“Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has said society needs to challenge the perception of what sexual assault is, adding he was ‘stunned’ by the prevalence of attacks among students. Almost three in 10 female students have reported non-consensual penetration by incapacitation, force or threat of force during their time in college, according to a Union of Students Ireland (USI) survey published in June …” (more)

[Aine McMahon, BreakingNews.ie, 27 July]

“Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael): I move: ‘That the Bill be now read a Second Time’. It is a great pleasure to present to the House the Ministers and Secretaries and Ministerial, Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Bill 2020, which passed all Stages in the Seanad yesterday. This Bill establishes, for the first time in the history of the State, a Department focused on further and higher education, research, innovation and science. We will now have a Department whose chief remit will be the further and higher education needs of our economy and our people …” (debate, resumed debate)

[Dáil debates, 24 July]

“Measures to stimulate job creation and upskilling of workers announced today by the government include subsidies for employers, thousands of new places in Further and Higher Education courses and an expansion of employment support schemes …” (more)

[Julia Brick, College Tribune, 24 July]

“The Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) has broadly welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Higher Education, Simon Harris, of funding supports for universities and details in the ‘Guidance for Further and Higher Education for returning to on-site activity in 2020’ …” (more)

[IFUT, 23 July]

“The government may relax the two-metre social distancing rule in universities in the coming year, Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris said today …” (more)

[Cormac Watson, University Times, 23 July]

“Preparations are underway for colleges and universities to welcome first-year students from late September, according to the education minister. The majority of third-level institutions in Ireland are aiming to induct first-years across their respective campuses from September 28th …” (more)

[Irish Examiner, 23 July]

“University of Limerick has today welcomed the announcement by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD of a €168 million funding package for the Higher and Further Education Sector and a roadmap for the return to colleges in September …” (more)

[Limerick Post, 22 July]

“A two-metre social distancing rule will be put into effect on university campuses that re-open this autumn. The two-metre rule, advised by the State’s National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) to stop the spread of Covid-19, is at odds with University College Dublin (UCD)’s plan to implement one-metre social distancing in September …” (more)

[Isobel Dunne, College Tribune, 22 July]

“The Higher Education Authority (HEA) today, Wednesday 22nd July, welcomed the publication of a high-level Government Roadmap towards the return to higher education in autumn 2020 by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD and Minister of State Niall Collins TD …” (more)

[Maura O’Shea, HEA, 22 July]

“The government will consider reducing registration fees for third level students, who are potentially facing extra costs and challenges when classes return in the autumn, higher education minister Simon Harris said …” (more)

[Juno McEnroe, Irish Examiner, 22 July]

“The €168 million funding package and the practical guidance offered as part of the Further and Higher Education Roadmap announced by Minister Simon Harris today (22.07.20) is warmly welcomed by the IUA and its member universities. The fund provides much-needed stability for higher education arising from the Covid-induced financial shocks …” (more)

[IUA, 22 July]

“Physical distancing rules of two metres will apply on college campuses from September in a move which will severely limit the ability of universities to hold lectures and graduation ceremonies. The latest official public health advice states that in case where close proximity is required – such as small group work in laboratories – this activity may take place as long as face shields or masks are worn …” (more)

[Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 22 July]

“Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has announced a €168m package for third-level institutions and students to cover costs incurred during the coronavirus pandemic and to support students returning to college in September …” (more)

[Aine McMahon, Independent, 22 July]

“More than 10,000 third-level students are to be given money to buy laptops, iPads, and other tablets, and also to connect them to the internet so they can study from home. Under a plan to be announced today by Simon Harris, the higher education minister …” (more)

[Daniel McConnell, Irish Examiner, 22 July]