Results 40,481-40,500 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (30 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy and I absolutely will because it is key for the mental health and wellbeing of young people that we do not have such a narrow definition of success. I think the Central Applications Office, CAO, process and league tables and that soft of stuff have brought us to that in recent years. It is also key for societal good because so much of what we need to progress around...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (30 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: Yes is the short answer and I recently met the public sector trade unions, and indeed other trade unions representing apprentices to consider how best to take this forward. These rates were traditionally set by industry so, not to pass the buck but there is not a direct role from my Department in terms of setting the rates. However, there are significant considerations around, for example,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (30 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for the question. As she will be aware, the HEA is close to concluding a process to identify where additional capacity could be built in the higher education sector in a number of key areas, including veterinary medicine. As part of the process, the HEA is examining opportunities for new programme provision as well as the expansion of current programmes, and will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (30 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I agree with Deputy Conway-Walsh that we need more capacity. If I did not believe that, we would not have included veterinary medicine in the review. We need more capacity. She is also right that whichever institution is selected, or wherever additional places might be made available, we need institutions that can deliver. The key to that is the role of the Veterinary Council of Ireland,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (30 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I share the Deputy's view.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (30 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: After County Wicklow, west Clare is one of the most beautiful parts of our country. I take the Deputy's point. I also take the point about the importance of our regional and technological universities. One of the reasons we have put such a focus on making sure we have university capacity outside of the big cities is for balanced regional development and to provide the opportunity for local...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (30 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy. We touched on this question earlier. The Minister for Health and I are doing a scanning exercise to see how we can radically increase the size of the health service from an education point of view. We updated the Cabinet committee on health on that on Monday. The Minister for Health has arrived here just on cue. I expect to be able to bring a joint proposal with the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (29 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I am firmly of the view that there should be access to public service pensions for research staff in all higher education institutions across the sector. As such, my Department has been engaging positively with management bodies, the Department for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and the Department of Education on a business case to support access to the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (29 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I recognise that third level education can be a significant cost for families and students. In addition to once-off cost of living measures, over the course of the past three Budgets, I have delivered a range of enhancements to the Student Grant Scheme to put more money into the pockets of students and their families. One of these measures was to increase the income threshold for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (29 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I recognise that third level education can be a significant cost for families and students. In addition to once-off cost of living measures, over the course of the past three Budgets, I have delivered a range of enhancements to the Student Grant Scheme to put more money into the pockets of students and their families. As part of Budget 2023, I created a new income threshold for student...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (29 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I recognise that third level education can be a significant cost for families and students. In addition to once-off cost of living measures, over the course of the past three Budgets, I have delivered a range of enhancements to the Student Grant Scheme to put more money into the pockets of students and their families. As part of Budget 2023, I have increased the postgraduate fee...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (29 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. Colleagues in my Department are engaging with SUSI for a response. My Department will contact the Deputy directly when a response is available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (29 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: Family reunification as provided for in the International Protection Act 2015, gives certain family members of a qualified person, the sponsor, an immigration permission allowing them to enter, remain and reside in the State with the sponsor. An application for family reunification must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (29 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, and will contact him again when this is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (29 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, and will contact him again when this is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (29 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The person referred to by the Deputy lodged a review application in respect of their EU Treaty Rights application decision on 28 September 2021. This application is currently under consideration by my Department. My officials will correspond with them if further documentation or information is required. A letter was issued to the person referred to, to obtain a temporary permission to remain...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (29 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: Under the Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence we are committed to doubling the number of refuge spaces, bringing it to 280. This will be the fastest ever expansion of refuge spaces. In addition, and by putting in place the correct structures to deliver additional refuge accommodation, the Government will accelerate the number of refuge spaces that can be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (29 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, and all applications are processed in line with the eligibility criteria as set out under the Act. Each application is assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Schemes (29 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 160, 161 and 162 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 existing approved...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (29 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The State has a duty to protect its borders and following examination, ensure that all persons arriving at the borders of the State are entitled to enter the State. This is a fundamental exercise of State sovereignty, which is necessary to protect the security of the State and to prevent illegal immigration. The exercise of powers in this area is at all times subject to the law and to respect...