Results 40,141-40,160 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. I can, however, advise the Deputy that prior information notices (PINs) in respect of this procurement procedure, and the details of the aircraft...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 526 and 527 together. All of the fees payable under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, are kept under ongoing review by my Department. However, there are no current plans to amend the fees. The fees to be paid by an applicant for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, the review of the Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) for non-EEA fishers was published last year. One of the key recommendations of the Review Group is that the employment of non-EEA crew in the Irish fishing fleet should be provided for under the Employment Permit system, instead of the existing Atypical Working Scheme. As such questions concerning how such...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) was developed by agreement between the Department of Justice and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), in order to facilitate specialised, highly-skilled employment of a short term nature (generally less than 90 days) that is not supported by current Employment Permit legislation. Following consultation with other Government...

Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: We do.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: Springboard+ is a targeted initiative, which is used to provide funding for higher education courses aimed at meeting the need for in-demand skills in the economy and supporting jobseekers to return to employment.   Unemployed people are eligible to participate on a part-time Springboard+ course provided they have a previous history of employment, are unemployed, are actively seeking...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety of factors including the type of course and the student's access route. Typically there are two rates of fee, an EU Rate of Fee or a non-EU/International rate of fee. Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and the level of tuition fee payable by students is a matter for the relevant institution to determine. This...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Capital Expenditure Programme (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department is supporting a number of capital projects in Westmeath across both the Further and Higher sectors.  At higher level, this supports includes a new STEM Building for the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) – Athlone Campus which will consist of science labs, administration space and ancillary space.  The project forms part of Bundle 1 of the Higher...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I can advise the Deputy that there are in place pre-existing stakeholder groups established to facilitate cooperation in this area. The Department of Justice, along with the Garda National Immigration Bureau, are members of the National Air Transport Facilitation Committee (NATFaC), including the NATFaC sub-group on immigration. The NATFaC is chaired by the Department of Transport. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (1 Mar 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: Immigration Policy (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 to 145, inclusive, together. As the Deputy is aware, I obtained approval from the Government to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The closure of the Programme will not affect existing projects or individuals already approved under the programme. My Department will continue to monitor...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: Seeking protection is a human right and when someone asks for protection at the border of a country, that country’s authorities must examine that application. Ireland, as a party to the Geneva Convention, must also meet this obligation. Each application for international protection is examined in detail on its individual merits, taking all factors into account. Information is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The standard fee of €300 payable by an applicant is designed to reflect the cost involved in processing registrations. The Registration Office of my Department also provides an online renewals portal that speeds up the renewal process and a customer service team that is available to support customers all of which are provided to enhance our customers experience. The cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The fee for the replacement of a lost or stolen Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card is €300. If a person loses their IRP card or if it is stolen, they should report it to An Garda Síochána immediately. Check www.garda.ie to find a local station. If a person is abroad and loses their IRP card or if it is stolen, they should report it to the local police.  A copy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I understand the Deputy's query concerns Immigration registration in particular.  The Immigration Services Division of my Department including the Registration Office in Burgh Quay is resourced to meet customer requirements. There are currently 33 staff members attached to the Registration Office processing first time registrations and registration renewals. Overtime is also provided...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2023 of over €2 billion.This unprecedented amount will fund the planned recruitment of up to 1,000 new Garda recruits as well as over 400 Garda staff. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 153 together. 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 Garda business, including responsibility for the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. The Commissioner is also responsible under Section 33 of the Act for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I have requested an update from the Garda authorities on the crime prevention resources in Newbridge, Co Kildare and I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Capital Expenditure Programme (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time allowed.  I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is available.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (2 Mar 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 state financial support towards the undergraduate student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for my Department’s free fees schemes. Postgraduate students are not eligible for the free fees schemes and therefore the once-off student...