Results 39,601-39,620 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (26 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no direct role in these independent functions. I made enquiries with the Garda authorities who have advised that the information...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (26 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: The person referred to by the Deputy is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 1 February 2019. They made a request on 23 October 2020, under section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), to have that Order revoked. This will be considered as soon as possible. All applications are examined on a case by case basis, on the documentation supplied and as provided for under...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (26 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: The visa applications referred to by the Deputy were refused by the Visa Office in Dublin. Refusal letters issued to the applicants on the 24 January 2023 set out the reasons for these decisions. An appeals process, which is free of charge, is available which allows applicants, in the event of a refusal of the application at first instance, to address the factors which gave rise to that...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Durkan for consistently raising this issue. I will make a number of quick points. First, we will introduce the Family Courts Bill into the Seanad this week. That is a really important reform of how our courts work in this regard. My colleague, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, held a public consultation on the topic of parental alienation. We are currently reviewing all the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: Due to the impact of travel restrictions during the pandemic, Erasmus funding through the British Council continues for Northern Ireland students to the end of the current academic year. My officials have already been in touch with International Officers in Queens University Belfast and University of Ulster with a view to having revised mobility arrangements for students from Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: The Higher Education Authority (HEA) manages the Springboard+ initiative on behalf of this Department. From the details supplied, the HEA's records indicate that the applicant applied as an unemployed applicant to a 1-year, full-time, ICT Skills Conversion course in National College of Ireland (NCI). As per eligibility criteria, unemployed applicants need to have been on a qualifying...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: The HEA’s “Analysis of Non-Progression Rates in Irish Higher Education Institutions” was published on 11th April 2022 and provides data on the new entrants cohorts for 2017/18 – 2019/20. The report shows a continuation of the gradual downward trend in non-progression rates from 16% for the 2010/11 entry cohort to 12% for the 2018/19 cohort. This trend accelerated...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997 and requires Government approval. No Special Adviser has been formally appointed to my Department since December 2022, although I will shortly request a Government Order to reappointment the Special Adviser previously assigned to my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Costs (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: The main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme where students are studying for the first time or are progressing to study at a higher level. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine. Subject to meeting...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Official Travel (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, from the 1 January 2020, all Government Departments and Offices have been instructed to calculate and record the carbon emissions associated with flights they have taken. Each Department is then required to value every tonne of carbon emissions their air travel gives rise to at the prevailing rate of the carbon tax. Since the establishment of my Department in June...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, progression, previous academic attainment and means. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Adult Education Provision (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: The Deputy will be aware that the HEAR scheme is a reduced points mechanisms for entry into higher education. It is managed and operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) on behalf of the higher education institutions who are autonomous bodies. Admissions under the schemes are regulated by the higher education institutions themselves. Each institution determines its own admissions...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy may be aware, the Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) for the support of doctors providing locum services to the hospital sector in the State was established by agreement between the Department of Justice, the Department of Health, the Health Services Executive and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in 2014. The Scheme was established in order to facilitate the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Control of Dogs (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: I have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regrettably this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Judgments (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the Judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Schemes (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: I am informed by the Immigration Service of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 14 September 2022. This Order requires the person concerned to remove themselves from the State and remain outside the State. The enforcement of Deportation Orders are a matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Representations have since been...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gangland Crime (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: I can assure the Deputy that tackling gangland crime activity is an absolute priority for An Garda Síochána and the Government. I wish to acknowledge the superb and painstaking work of the Gardaí in harnessing an international coalition of support to tackle the criminality associated with a particular Organised Crime Group. The enforcement of sanctions demonstrates the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: As background for the Deputy, Prison Rules, 2007 (S.I. No. 252/2007) set out the minimum rules and regulations on all aspects of life in prisons in Ireland, including admission, accommodation, visiting rights, health, discipline, education, and so forth. Much of the daily operation of prisons is guided by the Prison Rules. The Prison Service is responsible for the safe and secure custody...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: I can inform the Deputy that no new advisers have taken up employment in the Department of Justice since December 2022.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, theft is an offence under section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. Anyone convicted of a theft offence is liable to a penalty of a fine or up to 10 years imprisonment. Under section 14 of the Act, a person found guilty of robbery (theft using coercion or force) is potentially liable on conviction on indictment to life...