Results 4,061-4,080 of 46,260 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: They tend to shout at you or sue you, so stop. Elections, politics and accountability are about making choices and the people of Ireland will have a choice. They will have a choice of a Government that is continuing to grow the size of the health service. What I say to those patients is very clear. We are offering €2 billion in additional health spending. I ask the Deputy, as...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Bacik for raising the most serious and important of issues of our time in our world today. Even if we do not agree on the path to take, I thank her and many in opposition for their constructive engagement with Government. I too am proud that we are in a Parliament and country that was among the first in Europe and the world to call for a humanitarian ceasefire. I am proud...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Cullinane for raising the important issue of how we ensure we continue to grow our health service by hiring more nurses and doctors and people to work at the front line. It is important when talking about the health service and recruitment levels that we bring a bit of context and honesty to the discussion. The first thing to say is that as of September, there were 143,075...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The Minister for Health is supportive of this because there needs to be some link between the budget we allocate in this House and what happens in relation to a public service. The reality is that the HSE is now on course to exceed the 2023 funded workforce target. To be clear, this is for 2023. Budget 2024 will come in on 1 January, which is weeks away. In 2024, the Minister for Health...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: I will.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Deputy Cullinane needs to get over himself. I am not making this about Sinn Féin at all. I am making it about the choices Irish people have between this Government versus that government. Those choices are clear. The Deputy does not have to take my word for it on what the Sinn Féin alternative health budget was. His leader said it on RTÉ on "This Week" on Sunday. Now, do...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Currently, there are 73 national apprenticeship programmes available in Ireland. Of these, 58 have no qualifying criteria associated in regards to colour blindness. More generally, to support apprentices, information is sought at the point of registration on any additional supports that may be needed due to a disability. Education and training providers offer learning and other supports to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Dental Services (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department is strongly committed to supporting the health of the population through the provision of graduates with the key competencies and skills to be effective in the health workforce, and support a range of clinical teams in our health services. There is no quota placed on dental courses by my Department, and therefore the places offered are a matter for the higher education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The Residential Tenancies Act (as amended) 2019 brought Student Specific Accommodation (SSA) under the remit of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) on the 15 July 2019. Section 19 b of the Act, provides that a person shall not be required, for the purpose of securing a tenancy, to make any payment other than; " (a) an advance payment of rent, which shall be no greater than the amount of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Awaiting reply from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Ensuring a supply of qualified vets to meet the demands of Ireland's agri-food sector is an important issue for my Department. As you are aware, a number of institutions put forward proposals following the recent HEA Expression of Interest process outlining options for the expansion of existing veterinary medicine provision. There is a substantial capital cost associated with the provision...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (14 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Awaiting reply from Department.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Third Level Education (9 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Cummins for his tireless work in delivering a university for the south east and, subsequently, keeping the pressure on night and day to ensure we successfully acquired the Waterford Crystal site for the expansion of one of Ireland's newest and most innovative universities. I am delighted to be back here to discuss where we are at with the acquisition of the former Waterford...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Third Level Education (9 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: I share the Senator's ambition on that. This is a high-priority project. It will involve me, at a point in time, needing to engage with my colleague in the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. One way or another we need to bring finality to this and I think everybody shares that view. Can I just say that a couple of people, or maybe a few more...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (9 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: My officials are engaging with SOLAS in relation to compiling the information sought regarding Therapy Assistant Grade provision in 2022 and 2023. This information will be forwarded to the Deputy upon completion.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: I am delighted to be here to take this important matter raised by Senators Dolan and Murphy. I thank them for tabling it and for working together on what is a really important issue. The Government's ambition for apprenticeships and further education and training is well known and recognised. Only today we have seen figures that show an 8% increase in the number of apprentices in Ireland...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Apprenticeship Programmes (8 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Senators Dolan and Murphy. SOLAS has met the ETB and is working closely with it. SOLAS will then send a recommendation to my Department. I am saying clearly here on the floor Seanad Éireann that I am positively disposed towards this, as is my Department. I take the point Senator Dolan makes about the just transition area. That further adds to the compelling case of this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: EU Funding (8 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) assists Member States to provide active labour market supports to workers made redundant in major restructuring events. While consideration of an EGF application in respect of Cartamundi Ireland is ongoing, the full range of state supports have been made available to the workers who lost their jobs at the company. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Oideachas trí Ghaeilge (8 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: Tá sé beartaithe agam PQanna 141 agus 142 a thógáil le chéile. Tá sé tábhachtach an ról éagsúil a imríonn an stát ag gach céim den chóras oideachais a aithint. Is comhlacht reachtúil de chuid na Roinne Oideachais agus Scileanna í an Chomhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta (CNCM) a...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2023)

Simon Harris: She did. She just said it.