Results 2,861-2,880 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Mortgage Arrears: Motion [Private Members] (4 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: Some 12,497 were offered hybrid - a combination of treatments or others. That totals to the figure to which I referred earlier, which was 79,405. It is important to put this in context because these are solutions on offer to real people. They are not just numbers, they do represent families. As much as I am willing to acknowledge that there are still families with genuine difficulties, so...

Mortgage Arrears: Motion [Private Members] (4 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: From engaging with me, Deputy Mathews knows that I tend not to interrupt and I would appreciate if he would do the same.

Mortgage Arrears: Motion [Private Members] (4 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: It is important to mention the positive news announced today about the initiative between AIB and the Irish Mortgage Holders Organisation, IMHO. Deputy Joan Collins referred to this. The partnership initiative has resulted in more than 1,300 sustainable restructures being put in place over the past 12 months. That is also welcome news. The initiative demonstrates that where there is real...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Status (4 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: A Final Draft Feasibility Report in respect of the revised flood relief proposals for Arklow town has been submitted to Wicklow County Council (WWC) and the Office of Public Works (OPW) by the consultants appointed by WCC to develop the design of the scheme. WCC and the OPW met on 30 September to review the draft report having particular regard to a number of issues that had been raised by...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (4 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: The Commissioners of Public Works have agreed to purchase the former Newbridge Credit Union building from the High Court appointed Official Liquidator, for use as an Intreo Centre for the Department of Social Protection. While the Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection's immediate focus is to ensure that the Intreo service is fully functional as soon as possible, any future...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (4 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works has commenced a project to relocate the Dublin City Coroner and the State Pathologist from their current accommodation into newly refurbished premises at the former Whitehall Garda Station Dublin 9. The Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland lodged a notification with Dublin City Council (DCC) on 29 August 2014 under the provisions of Part 9 of the Planning and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Assessments (4 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: Graiguenamanagh is an Area for Further Assessment under the ongoing South East Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study and the flood risk in the town is being assessed in detail under the CFRAM project. Pending the completion of the CFRAM project and the identification and implementation of any long term flood defence measures that may emerge from the CFRAM, the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Monuments (4 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works is currently undertaking a project at Kilmainham Gaol to provide new Visitor facilities in the former Kilmainham Courthouse building which sits immediately adjacent to the Monument. Planning Permission for this development was recently awarded and work is progressing rapidly on the project currently with a view to an early start onsite. The newly adapted building...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coastal Protection (4 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: The Government Decision of 11 February 2014 allocated total funding of up to €69.5 million for clean-up, repair and restoration works in relation to public infrastructure that was damaged in the period 13th December 2013 to 6 January 2014. Of this sum of €69.5 million, up to €19.6 million was allocated for the repair of existing coastal protection and flood defence...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Correspondence (4 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: Requests for meetings with local or regional officials of the Office of Public Works (OPW) do not have to be routed through my office as a matter of course. OPW officials interact routinely with local and public representatives regarding numerous aspects of its business activities. I am satisfied that the manner in which OPW manages correspondence from public representatives, including...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Properties (4 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently reviewing State owned sites in the area to see if any are suitable for the development of a new Garda Station in Bailieborough. If no suitable State owned site is available, it is intended that a notice will be placed in local and national media seeking offers of suitable sites. The Office of Public Works advances the provision of facilities for...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Monuments (4 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: On foot of the Deputy's previous PQ No. 31 of 15 October last, an examination of the existing toilet facilities, from the perspective of people with disabilities, at Ross Castle has taken place. This amenity was installed in the early 1990s and complied with the requirements at the time. However, over time, standards have changed and the facilities in place do not now comply with the most...

Finance Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: I will check it out for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Garda Stations (5 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works (OPW) advances the provision of facilities for An Garda Síochána in line with the requirements identified by An Garda Síochána in its list of Building Programme Priorities.The project will involve a complete upgrade and refurbishment of the existing Garda Station and the adjacent former Government Offices, both of which are currently occupied by...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Meetings (5 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: The Commissioners of Public Works have advised me that they are seeking to arrange a meeting with the Lough Mask Heritage Committee this month. Unfortunately, it did not prove possible to progress a meeting with the committee during the summer months due to serious pressure of work elsewhere.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (5 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: When the Commissioners of Public Works are taking a lease of property, the parties granting that lease must demonstrate to the Commissioners and their legal advisers, the Chief State Solicitor's Office, that they are legally entitled to do so. There are standard criteria, including the provision of tax clearance certificates, that must be met before a lease can be completed and this...

Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts (6 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for her question and I note her ongoing interest in issues of procurement. The main purpose of the EU public procurement regime is to open up the market and ensure the free movement of supplies, services and works within the EU, having regard to Treaty of Rome principles including transparency, proportionality and equal treatment. This is the rationale that shapes the...

Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts (6 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: I know that the Deputy has highlighted the issue, including during Private Members' time on Fridays. I accept her bona fides in bringing the issue to the House. I have asked the Office for Government Procurement to look into the matter when considering the implementation of the directive. The directive obliges us to give consideration to how we wish to adhere to "applicable obligations"...

Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts (6 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: The Deputy correctly notes the limitations on what I can say about specific cases. However, I am very happy to say that we have quite a robust suite of labour law. In the procurement area, I want to ensure that in transposing these directives we deal adequately with all of these issues. Obviously the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has overall responsibility for employment...

Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts (6 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: Some of my prepared reply is the same as I have already outlined, so I will take that as noted regarding the objectives of the EU directives. The Office of Government Procurement is currently exploring policy choices as part of the transposition process. In this context, I have launched a public consultation on the new directives. It is open to everybody - not just specific people - to...