Results 39,541-39,560 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation, including all human resource matters and recruitment. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am assured however that Garda management keeps the distribution of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (18 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department has no record of having received an application for naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy. When applications for a certificate of naturalisation are received by the Citizenship Division of my Department, they are subject to an initial check/examination. Citizenship Division is currently completing these initial checks on applications received in August...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (18 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: The visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa Office in Abuja on 11 November 2021. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicants at that time. An appeal of this decision was launched on 12 December 2021. Appeals for applications of this type are processed in the order in which they are received, in order to be fair to all...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (18 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: The persons referred to by the Deputy created on-line Join Family 'D' visa applications on 24 June 2022. The supporting documentation and relevant fees were received on 25 July 2022 in the Abuja visa office. I am pleased to inform you that these applications were granted on 16 January 2023. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, which includes all operational policing matters. The Commissioner is also responsible for the distribution and stationing of the Garda Síochána throughout the State under the provisions of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). As Minister I have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (18 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: All naturalisation applications, whether they are made by EEA or Non-EEA applicants, spouses of Irish Nationals or declared refugees, are processed in chronological order on date received and in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended. There are no provisions to apply different criteria depending on the nationality or the individual...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Staff (18 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions. However, I wish to assure the Deputy that any County Registrar vacancy which has arisen in recent years has been replaced. The Courts Service Act 1998 sets out the nature of the relationship between the Courts Service...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (18 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware the Government will establish a statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. The agency will have a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (18 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: The person referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for an EU3 - Permanent Residence card to our EU Treaty Rights Division, which was received on 1 November 2022. Applications are dealt with in strict chronological order of receipt and decisions are reached on a case by case basis. The EU Treaty Rights Division endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible, however,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (18 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: I can inform the Deputy that following full consideration, the Family Reunification application you refer to was refused. A letter issued on the 30 June 2022 outlines the reasons for this refusal. The applicants should be advised that other immigration avenues remain open for new applications, including visa applications. Syrian nationals are visa-required and must have a valid Irish visa...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (18 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware the Government will establish a statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. The agency will have a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: State Bodies (18 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: The Programme for Government commits to recognising the domestic and international importance of data protection in Ireland and states that the Government will ensure that Ireland delivers on its responsibilities under the General Data Protection Regulation. The Government is very conscious of the commitment to deliver effective data protection regulation and protection of the data privacy...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (24 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: For the 25 craft apprenticeship programmes, periods of off-the-job training are funded from the National Training Fund (NTF) with payments of the agreed rate made directly to craft apprentices by the education and training boards (ETBs) during this time. Training allowances for apprentices are calculated with reference to gross-wage norms payable in industry for the different trade sectors....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (24 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: The information the Deputy has requested in currently being complied in consultation with the HEA. It will be forwarded directly to the Deputy in the coming days.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (24 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: As part of Budget 2023, I secured a significant cost of living package for third level students, including a once-off €1,000 in support towards the undergraduate student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for my Department’s free fees schemes in the academic year 2022-2023. This once off support relates specifically to the student contribution payable by...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (24 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department's officials have engaged with SOLAS on this issue and have been informed that currently, a SOLAS statutory apprenticeship requires that in certain designated crafts, apprenticeship applicants must pass the Ishihara colour vision test without the use of corrective lenses. SOLAS are continually reviewing the existing statutory apprenticeships and the matter of colour vision...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Qualifications Recognition (24 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department remains committed to removing barriers to third level education. Creating additional capacity in higher education healthcare programmes will provide greater access for students who hold a QQI/FETAC qualification and my Department is working with the higher education sector and the Department of Health in this regard. Healthcare programmes are by their nature complex in delivery....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Equality Issues (24 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for her question on this matter. It is worth noting that as the report is about reasonable accommodations for professional placements, some of its findings and recommendations relate to the work of professional bodies e.g. Teaching Council, Nursing and Midwifery Board, CORU, etc which don’t come under the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (24 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 447 and 448 together. The Higher Education Authority (HEA), is the funding and regulatory body for higher education in Ireland. The HEA has been working through a process to identify opportunities in the higher education system to build capacity in Dentistry, Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, and Veterinary. This HEA process is designed to respond swiftly to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (24 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: No decisions have been made in respect of provision or determining whether a new school is to be established at this stage as an expression of interest process is still underway and is being managed by the HEA. An expert panel is to review all applications in the coming week. The HEA will then make recommendations to the Minister on where capacity can be increased across the country in...