# Simon Harris

Last year

2022

# Simon Harris

Simon Harris has tested positive for Covid-19

The higher education minister confirmed in an Instagram post that he had tested positive on an antigen test.

24.4k

Mar 11th 2022, 11:21 AM

# nphet

NPHET recommend end to mandatory mask-wearing in education, public transport and school settings

Public health officials advised the government of the move following a meeting today.

86.6k

104

Updated

Feb 17th 2022, 4:20 PM

# severe morning sickness

Health Minister insists State won't reimburse cost of drug to treat severe pregnancy sickness

When Stephen Donnelly was in Opposition he told Simon Harris that the drug called Cariban should be available on the drugs payment scheme.

18.0k

Feb 4th 2022, 6:00 AM

# drugs in college

Cocaine now the second-most common drug used by third-level students, new report shows

Cannabis remains the most common drug, but cocaine displaced ecstasy to take the second place spot.

16.9k

Jan 20th 2022, 12:20 PM

# Paid leave

Several Irish universities commit to introducing domestic abuse leave policy for staff in 2022

Trinity College, UCC, UCD and DCU have all committed to introducing the policies in 2022,

18.0k

Jan 3rd 2022, 11:41 AM

All time

# omicron

NPHET to brief coalition party leaders this evening

The meeting this evening takes place prior to NPHET’s meeting on Thursday.

32.9k

Updated

Dec 14th 2021, 7:00 PM

# Opinion Poll

Harris says next election result is not inevitable as poll shows SF 15 points clear of FF, FG

A recent opinion poll put Sinn Féin as the most popular party in the country.

24.1k

Dec 12th 2021, 1:30 PM

# Separation of Powers

Chief Scientific Adviser's dual role to be 'decoupled' following concerns over independence

Minister Simon Harris announced a public consultation on science advice will take place early next year.

11.0k

Nov 10th 2021, 3:22 PM

# spiked

Campaign to raise awareness around spiking to be launched, says minister

Minister Simon Harris says there have been a number of cases in the UK that are concerning.

11.6k

Nov 5th 2021, 2:16 PM

# student options

There's a 'national obsession' with the points race, says Harris highlighting CAO changes

The new enhanced CAO website now includes Further Education and Apprenticeship options.

14.5k

Nov 5th 2021, 1:02 PM

# trinity college dublin

Uncertain future of Dublin's Science Gallery to be discussed next week

News emerged this week that the gallery is set to close its doors for good in February.

17.4k

Oct 29th 2021, 10:54 PM

New technological university announced for the north west

Galway-Mayo, Sligo and Letterkenny institutes of technology are to combine to become a Technical University.

21.4k

Oct 28th 2021, 3:58 PM

# speak out

New tool allows higher education students to anonymously report sexual harassment and violence

The Speak Out tool will be launched across 18 universities this academic year.

6.4k

Oct 19th 2021, 6:15 AM

# vaccination week

Pop-up vaccination centres to be extended on college campuses

The pop-up centres were established across 15 higher education sites two weeks ago as part of Vaccination Week.

11.4k

Oct 16th 2021, 12:35 PM

# Coronavirus

Taoiseach: 'It's not a case of pressing the panic button'

It follow concerns from NPHET about the spread of Covid-19.

73.7k

167

Updated

Oct 15th 2021, 8:33 PM

# New York

Families and children of public figures are 'not fair game', says minister

Coveney said he was not sure whether legislation to tackle protests at the homes of politicians would be possible.

21.0k

Sep 23rd 2021, 8:00 PM

# new baby

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris and wife announce birth of baby boy

The Taoiseach congratulated Harris and his wife Caoimhe on the arrival of their second child.

29.1k

Sep 22nd 2021, 10:37 PM

# Rumours

Varadkar says SF TD who named Harris as leaker has no evidence and was just repeating a rumour

Matt Carthy accused Minister Simon Harris of leaking from Cabinet.

TD Matt Carthy claims a junior Fine Gael minister operated a 'sting operation' to uncover the leaker

Minister Simon Harris says Carthy's claims are untrue

Harris says he will 'consider very strongly" reporting the Carthy to the Oireachtas Committee on Procedure and Privileges

32.3k

Updated

Sep 16th 2021, 2:14 PM

Voices

Opinion: If the way we live and work after Covid can be reformed, why not education too?

It’s an ideal time to reform the Irish educational system, writes Emma DeSouza.

15.9k

Updated

Sep 10th 2021, 10:15 AM

# Points Race

Higher education minister questions if Leaving Cert is ‘right way to go’

Simon Harris said the points race for third level places is ‘not the international norm’.

16.9k

Sep 8th 2021, 7:31 PM

# Education

Harris to seek government approval for 4,600 extra college places for upcoming semester

There has been a significant increase in demand for college places this year.

14.1k

Jul 13th 2021, 7:56 AM

# College

Staff and students urged to sign up for pilot antigen testing project on four college campuses

Testing will involve volunteers providing saliva samples twice weekly.

19.6k

Jul 12th 2021, 9:01 AM

# Higher Education

Simon Harris says the pandemic has been particularly hard for college students - but next year will be different

CMO Dr Tony Holohan has endorsed the return to college campuses in the coming academic year.

9.7k

Jun 15th 2021, 4:21 PM

# cabinet plans

Landlords will not be allowed to demand in excess of two months’ rent upfront under new rules, including from student renters

Covid-19 protections for renters have been extended for another six months until 12 January 2022.

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien brought a memo to Cabinet today that will restrict upfront payment demands made by landlords, reports Political Correspondent Christina Finn

The new rules, which will be in place before the next academic year, will ensure that students only have to pay one months' rent at a time.

Cabinet has also extended the current Covid-19 protections for renters until January 2022.

65.1k

101

Updated

Jun 9th 2021, 1:43 PM

# Midlands

Limerick IT and Athlone IT merge to form new technological university

AIT President Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin described today’s announcement as a “historic day” for the region.

17.1k

May 5th 2021, 12:46 PM

# Apprenticeship

Employers will be paid more to take on women or lone parents as apprentices

Additional money will also be given to businesses that take on people with a disability, or are from direct provision as apprentices.

21.4k

Apr 19th 2021, 11:43 AM

# hotel quarantine

Hotel quarantine bookings 'paused' by Department of Health in order to ramp up capacity

No bookings are available on the State’s mandatory hotel quarantine site until next Monday.

61.1k

129

Updated

Apr 13th 2021, 9:20 PM

# ANTIGEN TESTING

Rapid testing to be piloted in four universities, says minister

Antigen testing on construction sites will begin in a matter of weeks, say sources.

25.7k

Apr 2nd 2021, 12:43 PM

# Third Level

Reform needed on Leaving Certificate and CAO application, says higher education minister

Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris said he intends to “overhaul” the CAO application form next year.

16.8k

Mar 20th 2021, 10:52 AM

# Coronavirus

Harris says Ireland will continue 'to look everywhere and anywhere' to ramp up vaccine supply

Separately, there were were 420 patients in hospital with Covid-19 last night.

31.5k

106

Updated

Mar 8th 2021, 3:56 PM

# Higher Education

CAO system set to be overhauled as government plans to ramp up apprenticeship numbers

At present the CAO doesn’t include applications for apprenticeships, or some further education traineeships.

13.7k

Mar 8th 2021, 11:51 AM

# preliminary inquiries

Varadkar tells gardaí he is willing to meet with them over GP contract leak

Gardaí are currently assessing correspondence that has been received over the leaking of the contract.

41.0k

Updated

Feb 14th 2021, 6:31 PM

# Special Needs

Deputy CMO insists school closures should be 'last resort' only after criticism from special needs teachers

Talks are continuing with unions about the reopening of schools for students with special educational needs.

103k

118

Updated

Jan 18th 2021, 8:49 PM

# Pay increase

Harris says it's 'important' Oireachtas gets opportunity to scrutinise salary hike for new Dept of Health Sec Gen

Questions have been raised about the government’s decision to sanction a pay rise of €81,000 for the post.

22.6k

Jan 18th 2021, 6:21 PM

# Unemployed

Looking to upskill or retrain? New online portal launched for the unemployed, businesses and employees

Those on the PUP can sign up to courses without losing their payment.

19.9k

Jan 18th 2021, 2:34 PM

# vaccine plan

Government plans to have almost 4 million people vaccinated by end of September, says Donnelly

Varadkar says between 50,000 and 55,000 people will be vaccinated this week.

38.1k

Jan 13th 2021, 5:11 PM

# still waiting

Department of Health can't give timeline for rollout of publicly-funded IVF

Expert says linking IVF funding with the commencement of legislation is a ‘way of putting it off’.

31.5k

Jan 4th 2021, 12:05 AM

# MTU

Creation of new Munster Technological University an 'important milestone' for south west

Cork Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Tralee have joined together to become the Munster Technological University (MTU).

33.3k

Jan 1st 2021, 1:37 PM

# Universities

Simon Harris warns universities over sexual harassment cases as he speaks of increased funding

Harris said Irish institutions needed to do more to tackle sexual harassment.

13.0k

Dec 30th 2020, 11:48 AM

# every contact counts

Government monitoring case numbers but no restrictions on the cards this side of Christmas

Those in government circles are looking at the rise in cases in Europe, stating that Germany is a worrying example.

14.0k

Dec 14th 2020, 5:57 PM