Results 43,941-43,960 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (23 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: The Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Public Services oversees the implementation of Programme for Government commitments in the areas of social policy and public services. The Cabinet Committee last met on 8 July 2024 and is next expected to meet later in the year, following the summer recess.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Citizens' Assembly (23 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: The Programme for Government, "Our Shared Future", committed to establishing four Citizens' Assemblies, namely: - Biodiversity Loss; - The type of directly elected mayor and local government structures best suited for Dublin; - Drugs Use; and - The Future of Education. The first three Citizens’ Assemblies listed above have been completed. The relevant government departments are now...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Workplace Relations Commission (23 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: A process is ongoing with Section 39 organisations to ensure all employees can access their entitlements under the WRC agreement. As this process continues it has come to light that there are other community groups, who are funded through different pathways and although operating similarly, are not technically Section 39 organisations, such as local drug and alcohol taskforce groups, who have...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Legal Cases (23 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: The Department of the Taoiseach and the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the only body under the aegis of the Department, have not taken any legal cases against another Department, Government agencies or State bodies in the period specified.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Urban Development (23 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: On 7 May 2024, the Government agreed to appoint a Taskforce to adopt a holistic outlook of the measures required to rejuvenate Dublin City Centre. The goal of the Taskforce is to make Dublin City Centre a more thriving, attractive, and safe cityscape; and a desirable location to live, work and do business and visit for all communities. The Taskforce is taking an evidence-informed approach in...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (23 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers on 17 July. We discussed relations between Ireland and the United Kingdom and agreed that the time was right for a reset of the partnership. We discussed the unique partnership between our two countries, and agreed to put in place arrangements to strengthen it further. This included a commitment to annual summits at Taoiseach /Prime...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cross-Border Co-operation (23 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: The Government has prioritised and progressed the Shared Island initiative since it was launched in 2020, working with all communities and political traditions for a shared future, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement. On 20 February last, the Government announced the largest ever package of funding for cross-border investments. This included a commitment of €600 million to the A5...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: The Cabinet Committee on Children and Education and Disability oversees Programme for Government commitments relating to Children, Education and Disability and receives detailed reports on identified policy areas such as child poverty and well-being, local area disadvantage and the reform of disability services. Disability services are a key focus for me and this Government, and that is...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: The Cabinet Committee on the Environment and Climate Action oversees implementation of the ambitious Programme for Government commitments in relation to the environment and climate change. It considers the wide range of issues that require action in Ireland’s transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and sustainable future. The Committee has met on 22 occasions since July 2020,...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Artificial Intelligence (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 25 together. The National Cyber Security Centre and the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform have published guidance on the use of artificial intelligence in the public service which has been made available to all staff in the Department of the Taoiseach. The Department of the Taoiseach and the National Economic and Social...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together. At the invitation of President Zelenskyy, I visited Ukraine on 4 September. I was pleased to take this valuable opportunity to see for myself the situation on the ground, and to hear directly how the war is impacting on the lives of ordinary Ukrainians and humanitarian organisations. I also had political meetings with President Zelenskyy...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Climate Action Plan (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 29 together. The Department of the Taoiseach prepares progress reports on the implementation of actions committed to under successive Climate Action Plans. The reports provide an overview of progress made on the actions set out in these Plans and give a detailed breakdown of both completed and delayed activity. Once approved by Government, the progress...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Child Poverty (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: I was delighted to host the Child Poverty and Well-being Summit on Thursday 23rd May in Dublin Castle. I welcomed the former UK Prime Minister and Chancellor the Right Honourable Gordon Brown, who shared what he had learned from his experience of reducing child poverty rates in the UK in his keynote address. My colleague Roderic O’ Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability,...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Freedom of Information (24 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table beneath. Year Number of FOI Requests Received Number of FOI Request Refused 2022 325 107 2023 342 91 2024 (to date) 188 47 It should be noted that requests were refused for a variety of reasons in...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: EU Funding (24 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: The Department of the Taoiseach is not in receipt of funding under the EU's Recovery and Resilience Programme.

Financial Resolutions 2024 - Budget Statement 2025 (1 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: No, you would not.

Financial Resolutions 2024 - Budget Statement 2025 (1 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: It is all provided for.

Financial Resolutions 2024 - Budget Statement 2025 (1 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: I would not mention child welfare.

Financial Resolutions 2024 - Budget Statement 2025 (1 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: How is your press office? When did you know, Pearse?

Financial Resolutions 2024 - Budget Statement 2025 (1 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: Do not bring up children in here today.