Results 39,901-39,920 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (15 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The Office of the Inspector of Prisons is a statutory body, set up under the Prisons Act 2007. In accordance with section 30 of the Prisons Act the Inspector of Prisons is independent in the performance of their functions. The Inspector's key role is to carry out regular inspections of prisons and I can advise the Deputy that I have spoken directly to the Inspector of Prisons about his...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (15 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the Incentivised Regimes policy provides for a differentiation of privileges between prisoners according to their level of engagement with services and behaviour. The objective is to provide tangible incentives to those in prison to participate in constructive activities and to encourage good behaviour, leading to a safer and more secure...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (15 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 140 together. My Department has been working with the Irish Prison Service and the Attorney General’s Office to amend the Prison Rules 2007 to simplify the prisoner complaints system and provide for review by the Ombudsman. Drafting of the Regulations is at an advanced stage. Once finalised, the Irish Prison Service will update the IT system,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (15 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I can advise the Deputy that all prisoners may make a complaint at any time and that the Irish Prison Service treats all complaints with the utmost seriousness. ‘Category A’ complaints are those alleging assault or use of excessive force against a prisoner, ill-treatment, racial abuse, discrimination, intimidation, threats or any other conduct against a prisoner of a nature...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (15 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I wish to advise the Deputy that no funding was granted to the organisations in question in the years 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (15 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 Feb 2023)

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

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (15 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together. Spiking a person’s drink or spiking someone by injection are very serious offences. These offences are, in effect, poisoning, and are criminal offences under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 that can result in a three-year prison term. I can assure the Deputy that any incident of this type of crime, including...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (15 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy may be aware, on 16 November, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee published the Report of the Child Maintenance Review Group. On foot of its recommendations, a number of very significant reforms of the social welfare system in this field have been introduced, which will be of great benefit to lone parents. In particular, as a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (15 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 148 together. The Programme for Government commits to reviewing the existing functions, powers, appointment procedures, and reporting processes for Prison Visiting Committees. The Department of Justice undertook to complete this action under the Justice Strategy 2021-2023. The function of Prison Visiting Committees is to visit, at frequent intervals,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (15 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: A total of eleven cases were taken against my Department in the timeframe referenced under the Equality Acts. Of these cases, some were taken under more than one of the nine grounds. This information is set out in the below table. Year Ground(s) for Discrimination 2012 Gender & Disability 2012 Gender &...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (15 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Ireland, like other EU Member States, has seen an increase in applicants for International Protection from a broad range of countries since the resumption of international travel, which was interrupted during the pandemic. Several Member States have experienced increases in applications for international protection that are significantly higher than that experienced in Ireland. Against...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised)
Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the members of the committee and appreciate them giving me this time today. I have circulated my script so I will be quite brief in order to engage. I am seeking the committee's approval for the Revised Estimates for the Justice Vote group to provide for much-needed investment across our sector. The Estimates provide for a gross expenditure of over €3.4 billion across the...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised)
Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I definitely will not comment on that. I thank colleagues for the questions. Deputies Kenny, Ó Ríordáin, Smyth and Farrell raised the issue of Garda numbers and recruitment. Recruitment and the growth of numbers in An Garda Síochána is a top priority for the Government, the Department of Justice, and the Garda Commissioner. As recently as Friday, I met the...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised)
Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Will the Deputy remind me of the specific station?

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised)
Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: While it is an operational matter, that is not to say a Member of Dáil Éireann should not be able to get information about that. I see it on a pipeline of projects and I see funding allocated against it. Perhaps I can get a detailed note for the Deputy on timelines.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised)
Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Turning to Bailieborough and Deputy Smyth's question, I am pleased that there is real progress on this. It looks from the timing and allocation of funding that the bulk of works will be carried out this year, with some smaller amount of works going into next year. There is a very significant allocation in terms of moving that project forward in a real and substantive way. I know that is...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised)
Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: It can be rolled out to the Garda. The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022 is to make provision for expanded use. As the Deputy will remember me saying in the Dáil last week, that is about linking in with the Dublin Port Company and the National Roads Authority. If the issue the Deputy is referring to is one of having the equipment in the cars, that roll-out is...