Results 41,181-41,200 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (17 May 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: Visa Applications (17 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Indian nationals are subject to the same visa requirements and checks as all visa required nationals wishing to travel to Ireland. I can advise the Deputy that a number of steps have been taken in recent years to upgrade the visa processing system to make it more efficient and easier for visitors from abroad to submit their visa applications for travel to Ireland; this has included the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (17 May 2023)

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application referred to by the Deputy, I have been advised by my officials that an application from the student in question for the 2023/24 academic year has been commenced online by the student but has not yet been finalised and submitted to SUSI for assessment.  In general for student grants purposes, students are categorised according to their...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Development Plan (17 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I am pleased to provide the Deputy with details of capital projects being progressed under National Development Plan currently in the area referred to. The attached table details further education and training (FET) projects being progressed by Cork Education & Training Board (CETB) who have responsibility for projects in Cork, including the region referred to by the Deputy. As there...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (17 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Section 25(3A) of the Technological Universities Act 2018 (Number 3 of 2018) requires a technological university to seek consent from the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to acquire shares in a company formed for purposes other than the manufacture or development of a product, service or...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Contracts (17 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department was established in August 2020 and commenced moving headquarters into existing State-owned office space in September 2021. Since moving my Department secured the services of Accent Cleaning Solutions to provide contract cleaning within the building and there is one private cleaner on site Monday – Friday. My department recently...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Bodies (17 May 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department does not have access to the information regarding policies in place in each state agency.  In relation to local authorities, the local government sector is committed to creating a culture of continuous learning and development so that employees can develop to their full potential.  Local authority employees are encouraged and supported to expand their existing...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (17 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Funding (full funding or co-funding) for capital projects is disbursed by my Department generally via the HEA to individual higher education institutions who are fully responsible for managing all phases of the design and delivery of a capital project within the parameters of the approval in principle provided. A percentage of the cost of any publicly funded capital, infrastructural and...

Accommodation Needs for New Arrivals: Statements (23 May 2023)

Simon Harris: We are all acutely aware that we are experiencing an unprecedented situation in relation to the accommodation requirements of those seeking protection in Ireland. This has posed significant challenges for our State. We are all aware of that. We have seen some people in local communities ask questions, seek information and express concerns. Of course, it is absolutely essential that the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Second Stage (23 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I am very pleased to bring the Bill before the Seanad this evening. As colleagues know, this is a wide-ranging Bill that will improve our criminal law. It will help combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, DSGBV, tackle organised crime, enhance public safety and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our legal system. Given its wide scope, I will only touch on the most...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Second Stage (23 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I am conscious of the dedication and commitment of our front-line workers, as I know Senators are. I am also conscious of the risks they take. I attended a Garda memorial day on Saturday at which we paid tribute to the 89 men of An Garda Síochána who lost their lives in the line of duty. We live in a country where there is great respect for the police. Surveys indicate that we...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Second Stage (23 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank and all the Senators for their contributions and for the widespread general support for at least the thrust of the legislation. While Senator Ruane and others quite rightly want more detail and to tease through the issues, I welcome the broad cross-party and cross-bench support for what we are trying to do in this pretty significant Bill. I start by paying tribute to the officials...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Missing Persons (24 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Burke for raising this important matter and giving me the opportunity to provide clarity and some views on the issue. I also want to thank him for and acknowledge his ongoing work and interest in the area. His Private Member's Bill had a positive impact in terms some legislative change in Ireland. I would like to begin by acknowledging the families of missing persons,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Missing Persons (24 May 2023)

Simon Harris: It is vital we gather information on unidentified remains that lie within the State and that we put in place a system whereby they can be identified. The families of missing persons require and deserve closure. The forum, comprising representatives of the Coroners Society of Ireland, the Garda and Forensic Science Ireland, which are agencies the Deputy referenced, will continue its valuable...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parking Provision (16 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regretfully 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: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (16 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based remains a priority for me and this Government. 'Zero Tolerance,' the Third National Strategy (TNS) on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) which was published by Minister McEntee last year, sets out an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV and seeks to empower those who...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (16 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I have requested the information requested from the Garda authorities, however, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (16 May 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 responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I can however assure the Deputy that the Government is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (16 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service. Budget 2023 provides funding of €2.14 billion for An Garda Síochána, of which €10m has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (16 May 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 responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I am, however, assured that Garda management keeps the...