Results 45,901-45,920 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Fraud Prevention (22 Mar 2012)

Simon Harris: I am pleased to have the opportunity to raise in the House this afternoon this important matter and I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, for being here for the debate. Next week in the House we will discuss extensively the issue of political fraud, and we will read much about it today. I want to focus on a different fraud element which is seeing significant growth with the...

Fraud Prevention (22 Mar 2012)

Simon Harris: I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive response which provided a good overview of the excellent cross-agency work that is being done. While I recognise again that good work is being done by business, the banks and the Garda Síochána, we need to take the next step. The Minister of State referred to the White Paper on fraud which is being produced. I would appreciate if she...

Written Answers — VAT Rates: VAT Rates (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 78: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason VAT is charged at different rates on the gas, electricity and telephone bills; the reason telephone bills are charged at a higher rate of VAT - 23% - compared to gas or electricity - 13% -; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15568/12]

Written Answers — National Assets Management Agency: National Assets Management Agency (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 80: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons employed by the National Assets Management Agency; the number of these individuals paid a salary and the number of individuals paid a fee; the total amount spent on salaries; the total amount spent on fees since the establishment of NAMA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15655/12]

Written Answers — National Assets Management Agency: National Assets Management Agency (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 81: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of judgments the National Assets Management Agency has obtained through the courts since its establishment; the number of these judgments that have subsequently been enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15656/12]

Written Answers — National Assets Management Agency: National Assets Management Agency (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 82: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of vacancies that currently exist on the board of the National Assets Management Agency; when he intends to fill these vacancies; the criteria which will be applied to filling such a vacancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15657/12]

Written Answers — National Assets Management Agency: National Assets Management Agency (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 83: To ask the Minister for Finance if the National Assets Management Agency has undertaken a study of the number of public infrastructure projects such as schools, harbours, roads, council land banks and so on currently impacted on by NAMA administering land which is preventing access to the necessary public sites; if he will provide details of such sites; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — National Assets Management Agency: National Assets Management Agency (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 84: To ask the Minister for Finance the current status of the National Assets Management Agency's deferred consideration initiative, a scheme which was first announced by NAMA in May 2011 to effectively provide mortgages which attempt to safeguard buyers from negative equity; if permission for this initiative has been received from the European Commission; his views on this scheme;...

Written Answers — State Banking Sector: State Banking Sector (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 85: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will clarify if invoice discounting is included in the lending targets to small and medium businesses which banks have agreed with the Government; if he shares the view that this money is essentially simply recycled loans and does not constitute new lending; if he has received any information from State owned banks or part State owned banks...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 118: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the expenses payable to members of the Garda Reserve are taken into account by local authorities and vocational education committee when deciding if a person applying for third level support grants meets the relevant income criteria or if Garda Reserve expenses are exempted from consideration in view of the fact that they cover...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 161: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the tender process for the construction of new school buildings; the criteria upon which decisions are based; if he intends to introduce any initiatives to support local businesses or unemployed tradespeople in engaging with the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15452/12]

Written Answers — Departmental Functions: Departmental Functions (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 233: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if there is a section within his Department's set up to promote opportunities for Irish businesses to export to China and for investment into this country from China; the number of persons in his Department who work on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15678/12]

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 234: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he intends to travel to China to meet Chinese leaders; the specific priorities of this trip; the proposed composition of the delegation to accompany him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15679/12]

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 235: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of staff that Enterprise Ireland has based in China; the budget they have for their work on behalf of this country in China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15680/12]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 249: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will account for a delay of six weeks in sending a file (details supplied) within her Department in order that it may be assessed for appeal; her view on the delay in view of the financial pressure being experienced by the family concerned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14998/12]

Written Answers — National Internship Scheme: National Internship Scheme (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 266: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe for the extension of JobBridge to persons with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15416/12]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 273: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline all the supports, grants and payments payable by her Department to persons who are self-employed and have seen significant reductions in their remuneration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15539/12]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 274: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of carer's allowance applications currently waiting to be processed by her Department; the average length of time that it takes to process new carer's allowance applications; her views that this length of time is fair and equitable; the steps she will take to significantly reduce both the backlog of applications and the...

Written Answers — Supplementary Welfare Allowance: Supplementary Welfare Allowance (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 275: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if diabetes sufferers are entitled to apply for the special dietary supplement payable by her Department on account of the modifications that individuals must make to their diets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15549/12]

Written Answers — Free Travel Schemes: Free Travel Schemes (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 276: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a private bus operator (details supplied) is no longer operating under the free travel scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15564/12]