# Simon Harris

All time

Cabinet agrees to purchase 875,000 doses of Moderna Covid-19 vaccine

The Cabinet is also due to be updated on the progress to date of the Government’s new task force on the delivery of vaccines.

28.3k

Dec 1st 2020, 6:10 AM

# Survey

Bullying and harassment survey to be carried out at higher education institutions

Colleges will be required to report annual bullying and sexual harassment statistics.

14.4k

Nov 26th 2020, 12:21 PM

# Praeses Elit

Simon Harris awarded by Trinity College Law Society for role in response to Covid-19

The minister said he was ‘humbled’ by his work during the pandemic.

32.2k

Nov 9th 2020, 10:40 PM

# new restrictions

Government to take 'decisive action' tomorrow, says Harris

Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris has said that any new restrictions will be implemented nationwide.

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Oct 18th 2020, 12:48 PM

# Simon Harris

Harris says tradespeople such as plumbers and electricians can work in your home despite new restrictions

From tonight until 10 November, a nationwide restriction on household visitors will be imposed.

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Oct 15th 2020, 11:00 AM

# re-training

Scheme offering employers €3,000 to take on apprentices extended into next year

Minister Simon Harris is due to announce 10,000 places for upskilling today.

16.9k

Oct 15th 2020, 6:45 AM

# Budget 2021

Third-level students: €50 million fund created to help students switch to online learning

SUSI grant to be increased for post-graduate students.

18.9k

Oct 13th 2020, 3:25 PM

# Covid-19

Students encouraged to keep their social life 'safe, small and distant' in new campaign

The USI aims to make sure students stay up to date with public health guidelines.

13.9k

Sep 28th 2020, 6:30 AM

# Coronavirus

Colleges and universities told to move most lectures online for next two weeks

The move comes as efforts step up to limit the spread of Covid-19 in the community.

69.1k

Sep 25th 2020, 4:04 PM

# Colleges

Colleges did not investigate majority of sexual assault and harassment cases reported by students in 2018/19

Minister Simon Harris says colleges have until February to publish their action plans on tackling sexual violence and harassment.

11.2k

Sep 24th 2020, 7:00 AM

# Leaving Cert

Harris defends calculated grades and says it meant students in more disadvantaged schools didn't lose out

The Higher Education Minister faced questions about claims students in private schools had been unfairly marked down under the system.

32.7k

Sep 11th 2020, 6:17 PM

# Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin

'We need to make sure it never happens again': Ní Shúilleabháin praised for speaking out over sexual harassment

Dr Ní Shúilleabháin described her ordeal in today’s Irish Times.

86.0k

Sep 5th 2020, 5:18 PM

# Leaving Cert

Simon Harris: 'We need to drop the snobby attitude that the only way to progress in life is to go to university'

With the Leaving Certificate results out on Monday, the minister said an apprenticeship is a great way to get the career you want.

119k

Sep 4th 2020, 5:49 PM

# College

Students should have rents refunded in event of second lockdown, says higher education minister

Simon Harris also defended the fact that college fees would remain the same, even as courses move online.

20.1k

Aug 31st 2020, 11:06 AM

# back to college

Universities and colleges get funding boost to beef up health and safety measures on campus

Minister Simon Harris said it is important that students have a positive campus experience.

11.2k

Aug 27th 2020, 6:05 AM

# statement

Leo Varadkar: 'The event organised by the Oireachtas Golf Society should not have happened'

Varadkar confirmed that the party whip has been removed from three of his party’s senators.

54.5k

Aug 21st 2020, 12:07 PM

# Simon Harris

Employers offered €3,000 to take on apprentices, who will play 'key part' in Ireland's recovery

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris said that over 18,000 people are already taking part in an apprenticeship.

31.3k

Aug 12th 2020, 6:01 AM

# Dentists

Dentists seek urgent meeting with Donnelly over claims government failed to deliver promised PPE

In recent months, dentists have warned of the strain their industry is under due to Covid-19.

32.6k

Aug 3rd 2020, 6:10 AM

# Consent

'We need to cop on': Harris says government is committed to changing sexual assault laws

Simon Harris will meet with the National Women’s Council’s advisory committee on ending sexual violence later today.

19.1k

Jul 27th 2020, 6:05 AM

# july stimulus

Government to spend €200 million on re-education and job incentives

Employers will be given incentives to hire apprentices and young, unemployed workers.

17.1k

Jul 24th 2020, 4:34 PM

# Higher Education

Over €100 million in Covid-19 support funds sought for third-level sector

The two-metre social distancing rule is also expected to apply on university campuses that reopen in the autumn.

13.8k

Jul 20th 2020, 7:25 AM

# Online

Twitter and the Taoiseach: Why Fianna Fáil is playing catch-up on social media

Fine Gael is generally seen to have been adept at social media – something heightened during Covid-19 crisis.

23.2k

Jul 19th 2020, 7:00 AM

# Travel

Tánaiste questions confusion over 'quarantine' for passengers - but HSE advice changed this month

HSE advice shifted from self-isolation to asking people to restrict movements.

38.0k

Jul 16th 2020, 6:06 PM

# back to college

Not all third-level students will be able to be accommodated on campus in the autumn

The minister said international students can come to the country to study as long as they self-isolate.

19.9k

Jul 16th 2020, 4:58 PM

# Dáil

'I've can't lift my arms, brush my hair, or even go to the toilet alone': Children still waiting on Spinraza drug, Dáil told

The drug is used to treat SMA which can develop in babies and toddlers and can significantly reduce life expectancy.

11.4k

Jul 8th 2020, 5:44 PM

# Covid-19

Antibody test to identify 'immune' individuals to get government funding boost

Those that are ‘immune’ could therefore be safe to return to work.

20.3k

Jul 3rd 2020, 6:30 AM

# new lineup

In full: These are your new Cabinet ministers

The new ministerial lineup has been confirmed.

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Jun 27th 2020, 6:56 PM

# outbreaks

Community contact tracing for one meat plant is at 73%, not 90%, department confirms

There has been some confusion about the level of contact tracing at meat processing plants.

13.3k

Jun 25th 2020, 6:20 AM

# FRONTLINE WORKERS

'An absolute scandal': Ireland has the highest Covid infection rate for healthcare workers in the world, committee told

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar this evening suggested that the figures provided by the INMO were wrong.

145k

175

Updated

Jun 23rd 2020, 10:10 PM

# EASING THE LOCKDOWN

Hairdressers and barbers should be allowed reopen at end of month, NPHET recommends

This recommendation will be subject to Cabinet approval tomorrow.

51.1k

Updated

Jun 18th 2020, 8:27 PM

# stable

'It's good news': Health Minister says virus reproductive rate is staying below 1

The reproductive rate gives an indication of the number of other people who are infected by a positive case.

19.9k

Jun 17th 2020, 4:25 PM

# flu season

Colds, flus and Covid-19 combined could overwhelm Irish health system this winter, experts warn

Flu season normally puts the Irish health system under strain.

27.0k

Jun 16th 2020, 12:05 AM

# cover up

Government launches campaign to encourage use of face coverings

Health Minister Simon Harris said people will need to get into the habit of bringing a face covering out with them like they do with their phone or keys.

24.2k

Jun 15th 2020, 12:04 PM

# outbreaks

Employees at meat plants had to wait 16 days to be re-tested for Covid-19

More than 1,000 cases of the virus have been reported across 20 facilities nationwide.

25.1k

Jun 14th 2020, 6:30 AM

# Back To School

Special summer school programmes with supports for children with special needs get green light

Minister for Education Joe McHugh said he hopes that schools, teachers and SNAs “feel they can get involved”.

14.7k

Updated

Jun 12th 2020, 2:42 PM

# covid19

'It's actually a serious issue': Government to consider next week when hairdressers could re-open

Minister Harris said he recognises the importance of this question for business owners and for the wellbeing of members of the public.

26.8k

Jun 11th 2020, 8:12 PM

# covid19

Health Minister says virus reproductive rate 'staying remarkably stable'

Harris told the Dáil that the R number is now between 0.4 and 0.8.

16.2k

Jun 11th 2020, 2:50 PM

# Day One

No return to rush-hour as Dublin's streets remain quiet on the first morning of Phase Two

Buses and train stations remained largely quiet this morning.

24.7k

Jun 8th 2020, 11:16 AM

# Phase Two

Harris urges public to keep number of close contacts 'small' as Ireland enters Phase Two

Harris was speaking as Ireland enters ‘Phase Two Plus’ of easing Covid-19 restrictions.

15.8k

Jun 8th 2020, 9:02 AM

# Covid-19

People will rely on family and friends for a ‘dig out’ until creches reopen, says minister

The government plan sets out that creches will open on 29 June.

27.2k

Jun 7th 2020, 6:00 AM