Results 46,061-46,080 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Inter-Country Adoption: Statements (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Like other Deputies, I welcome the opportunity to be provided with this forum to speak on the important issue of intercountry adoptions. Clearly this is an issue which is of great interest to many families, considering Ireland has one of the highest rates of intercountry adoption across Europe. For the children and the families involved in the adoption process this is a significant...

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (25 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 73: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the advice he will offer to parents of children about to reach school-going age in an area (details supplied) which seems to fall outside the catchment area for local schools, if he has any role in asking schools to re-examine their catchment areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4215/12]

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (25 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 81: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will list the members of the new schools establishment group; the way they were appointed; their expert qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4276/12]

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (25 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 92: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason an information technology course (details supplied) is no longer offered at third level through FÁS programmes; if his attention has been drawn to the importance of this course and the benefits that accrue to students who participate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4463/12]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (24 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 337: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she would be amenable to altering the criteria for rent allowance payments by capping the amount of rent allowance that can be paid to a property owner rather than limiting the amount of rent that can be claimed for by rent allowance recipients, as is the case currently. [3428/12]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (24 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 338: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason rent allowance limits for an area (details supplied) have been reduced by a significantly greater degree than other administrative areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3429/12]

Written Answers — Assisted Human Reproduction: Assisted Human Reproduction (24 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 685: To ask the Minister for Health if he intends to introduce legislation to deal with the area of assisted reproduction and, in particular, surrogacy, in line with the recommendations of the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4039/12]

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 130: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will outline the supports and grants that exist for musicians; the way these schemes can be accessed by interested parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2678/12]

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 136: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the lack of mobile telephone coverage in an area (details supplied); the impact this has on the local community; the steps he will take to compel private mobile telephone operators to significantly improve mobile telephone coverage in the area; and if he will make a statement...

Written Answers — General Medical Services Scheme: General Medical Services Scheme (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 239: To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties facing medical card holders in obtaining prescribed mental health medications (details supplied); his plans to introduce measures to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2864/12]

Written Answers — Medicinal Products: Medicinal Products (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 240: To ask the Minister for Health if he is engaged in negotiations to reduce the cost of medications here; his views that such a measure will produce savings for the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2865/12]

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: I welcome the opportunity to contribute on this important debate. The work of guidance counsellors in our schools is beyond reproach. Every student reacts to the pressures and stresses of the school environment in very different ways. I have spoken previously in the House on the importance of providing students with the support they need to deal with the challenges. Deputy Flanagan should...

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: -----but by structuring the change in this way, school management authorities will have the freedom to manage their own guidance provision and balance the guidance needs of their students with the desire for a broad range of subject choices. I have confidence that school principals will run their schools in the best interest of their students, which I welcome, and we must------

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: -----give them the flexibility to do so. This is in line with the commitments in the programme for Government to end the one-size-fits-all approach to education and to give greater autonomy to those who know a school best, the principal and board of management.

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: The recent budget also provided for the filling of 300 additional principal posts.

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: I met many principals throughout my constituency, as I am sure has every public representative, and noted they have really struggled to run their schools in recent years due to the vacant assistant principal posts. This measure will assist schools in filling management positions which also have a guidance role, including year heads. Year heads are often a natural point of support for students.

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: I welcome the Minister's engagement with the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. I would hate to see a school lose its entire guidance provision. The support provided to students by guidance teachers in providing advice, support and information on third level options and a range of wider supports concerning the well-being of the student is invaluable. Schools have a statutory obligation to...

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: I do not have the luxury to enjoy the limelight of the stage that Deputy O'Dea likes to-----

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: The Deputy's party had its chance. It had 14 years and made its decisions and we are left with its mess.

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Unless some Members of the Opposition want to go down the road of Greece, Latvia and Northern Ireland, which face school closures, this Government will take a responsible step forward.