Results 43,221-43,240 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: We will certainly take a look at the Bill and engage in good faith on it. We have brought in a number of measures to try to ensure vacancy is addressed and that renters are protected through RPZs and other measures. We will look at the Bill in good faith. I am happy to engage and will ask the Minister for housing to do that.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I will not comment on any individual protest but, more broadly, our universities should reflect on links and divestment. I note that a number of them are now doing so, which is important. I do not buy into the idea that this House or this Government has done nothing on the Palestinian situation. I do not believe the Palestinian Authority, and certainly not the Israeli Government, think...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: This is a very serious issue and I thank Deputy Lowry for raising it. I will continue to engage with the Minister for Health on this. There are two issues. There is obviously a very serious and acute issue at University Hospital Limerick, on which everyone in this House and most particularly Deputies from the mid-west want to see progress. We all know that. There are also the very strong...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy McGrath. I will ask the relevant Minister to follow up directly with the Deputy on this matter.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I have just consulted the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, in real time on this issue. I thank Deputy Connolly for her acknowledgement of the Minister of State's work on this. The Minister of State and I very much accept and appreciate that there is a demand here. That excuse - insofar as it is one - does not fly. It is my understanding there is a derogation around staffing as well. The...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Devlin for raising this important matter. I understand the college currently offers three programmes: a bachelor of education in Montessori education which is NFQ level 7; a bachelor of education, honours, in Montessori education at NFQ level 8; and a bachelor of arts in psychology at NFQ level 8. I understand that arrangements have been agreed between St. Nicholas, the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Ó Cathasaigh for raising this important matter on the joint family visa applications. I will talk with the Minister for Justice to see if it is a resourcing issue and if there is any way to assist. I will ask the Minister to come back to the Deputy directly.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Farrell. I am just trying to get the most up-to-date figures and I will send them to the Deputy in writing if she does not already have them-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: From my previous role, and also from checking in on this recently, I understand that the plan is still to resolve the backlog issue during the course of this year. The Deputy will be aware there is always a wait time between each phase but when the wait time goes beyond the normal wait time then it is not acceptable. There is a well-funded plan with Solas. I will ask the Minister to come...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: The Minister had a brief word with me on this issue today. I understand she is due to receive a report next week and hopes to be then in a position to better update the Deputy. This is an issue we take seriously in terms how the rights of children are protected and how the family courts are transparent, accessible and child and family-friendly. A significant area of reform is underway with...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy O'Connor for raising this important matter relating to the Midleton flood relief scheme. The Government will certainly look at every avenue we can to deliver for the protection of the people of Midleton as quickly as possible. I know the level of fear and worry households, businesses and community groups have with regard to the threat of flooding. We have seen an increased...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Bruton for raising this issue and for his own work in that Department previously on offshore renewable energy. I share the view of my predecessor that this is Ireland's Moonshot where we go from being a net importer of energy to a net exporter of it. It is a significant opportunity for Ireland, Europe, jobs and our economy. I will get the Deputy an update on the work of the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Nolan for raising the issue. The Minister of State, Senator Hackett, has worked really hard on this for a sustained period of time and I am really pleased we have got to the point of having a scheme to provide financial assistance. It has been a very stressful time for so many farmers and foresters. I know the Deputy welcomes the scheme. If the Deputy wants to write to me...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I certainly know the importance of the nursing home. As Deputy Kelly said, I was involved in it in a previous role in a Government of which Deputy Kelly was a member. I know the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, also knows the importance of it because we want to provide more nursing home facilities across the country. There is the issue of UHL, which, again, Deputy Kelly knows very well...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: Before Saturday.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, is also raising it with me. I know the issue is very important and that Deputy Shanahan raised it in good faith. I will engage directly with the Ministers involved and come back to Deputy Shanahan.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Troy for raising this matter. I cannot imagine what that family is going through with their little four-year-old girl, having to watch her in a very difficult state on many occasions and wanting to do everything right by her. I will certainly talk to the Minister for Health and the HSE about this. Sometimes different avenues can be explored if only a small number of children...

Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions: Motion (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Order of the Dáil of 29th March, 2023, setting out the rota in which Questions to members of the Government are to be asked, Questions for oral answer, following those set down to the Minister for Social Protection shall be set down to Ministers in the following temporary sequence: Minister for Health Minister for Agriculture, Food and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 16, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on children, education and disability oversees programme for Government commitments relating to children, education and disability. It receives detailed reports on identified policy areas such as child poverty and well-being, local area disadvantage and the reform of disability services. In addition...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputies for raising these issues. I might go in reverse order and start with Deputy Conway-Walsh. I am happy to take that up. I have not seen the letter. If the Deputy wants to provide it, I will be happy to take a look at it. My general experience with the domiciliary care allowance is, as the Deputy said, that the structure of the scheme is worded in such a way as not to...