Results 1,141-1,160 of 45,495 for speaker:Simon Harris

Order of Business (13 Nov 2012)

Simon Harris: I congratulate the Government and our diplomats on the successful election of Ireland to the United Nations Human Rights Council. Children's rights obviously comprise an important part of human rights. In this regard, I congratulate the Minister for Children, Deputy Fitzgerald, and all those involved in the "Yes" campaign, including the NGOs, on the successful passage of the referendum....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (13 Nov 2012)

Simon Harris: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the criteria in place for a student to avail of a smaller exam centre in a State exam and also for a student to have a person read the exam questions during the junior or leaving certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49868/12]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (13 Nov 2012)

Simon Harris: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the backlog for carer's allowance payments; the number of outstanding applications; the average length of time each new claim takes to process from initial application to payment; the number of staff allocated to deal with new claims; the steps she take to reduce the backlog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50114/12]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (14 Nov 2012)

Simon Harris: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if it is correct that a directive has been given to the carer's allowance section whereby two teams have been set up, one to deal with all carer's allowance applications from August 2012 and the second to deal with all applications received prior to August 2012; is it correct that applications from August 2012 will be dealt with quicker than...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Forthcoming Education, Youth and Culture Council: Discussion with Minister for Education and Skills (14 Nov 2012)

Simon Harris: Let us consider issue 5 on the agenda for the Council meeting of 26 November, namely, improving teacher quality and status at a time of scarce resources. The Minister has referred to our Presidency considering the importance of teacher evaluation. Will he give us more detail on what he plans on telling his counterparts in this regard? What is the up-to-date Irish position? I presume...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Social, Personal and Health Education Curriculum: Discussion with Comhairle na nÓg (14 Nov 2012)

Simon Harris: I know a bit about Dail na nÓg because I was a member of the first Dáil na nÓg for County Wicklow before a Comhairle na nÓg had been established. I have gone backwards since then. It was an interesting experience and I learned a lot from it. The delegate report indicates that efforts are ongoing to make the process work more effectively and demand more from it, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (20 Nov 2012)

Simon Harris: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way that he oversees the operation of autism spectrum disorders units; the supports and training provided for staff in these units; the standards and best practice models being utilised to ensure these ADS units are maximised to their potential; the number of ASD units currently in place in primary and secondary schools and the number of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (20 Nov 2012)

Simon Harris: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration for children with special needs should be incorporated in the enrolment policy of primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51170/12]

Leaders' Questions (21 Nov 2012)

Simon Harris: Deputy Adams would know.

Leaders' Questions (21 Nov 2012)

Simon Harris: Deputy Adams should take his own advice.

Order of Business (22 Nov 2012)

Simon Harris: As part of its 16 days of action on domestic violence, Women's Aid today launched the "One in Five Women" campaign to highlight the fact that one in five Irish women experience domestic violence. The Government has given a commitment to review domestic violence legislation. Will the Minister indicate when she expects the review to take place?

Order of Business (27 Nov 2012)

Simon Harris: The Taoiseach will be aware of the national substance misuse strategy, which made a number of recommendations with regard to tackling misuse of substances, particularly alcohol. A number of legislative commitments arise from the strategy. What is the current status of the report and where stands the legislation on minimum pricing for alcohol? Also, when does the Government intend to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (27 Nov 2012)

Simon Harris: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of all countries whose Governments receive overseas aid from Ireland; the amount of aid each of these Governments received in 2011 and to date in 2012 from the Irish State; the specific purposes of aid funding provided to each of these countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52476/12]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (27 Nov 2012)

Simon Harris: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of the Irish overseas aid budget provided in direct aid to foreign Governments; the amount provided to non-governmental organisation; the factors that are considered when deciding which funding stream is more appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52477/12]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (27 Nov 2012)

Simon Harris: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of Irish overseas aid that was provided in development aid in 2011 and to date in 2012; the amount that was provided in emergency aid in 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52478/12]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (27 Nov 2012)

Simon Harris: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he expects the €4 million in overseas aid which was misappropriated in Uganda to be returned to the Irish taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52479/12]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (27 Nov 2012)

Simon Harris: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether that the misappropriation of overseas aid from Ireland which occurred in Uganda could not happen again and has not happened in other countries to which Ireland provides overseas aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52480/12]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (27 Nov 2012)

Simon Harris: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether it is appropriate that Ireland continue to provide overseas aid directly to Governments such as the Ugandan Government which continue to propose laws that attach a person's human rights based on their sexuality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52481/12]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (27 Nov 2012)

Simon Harris: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of all the non-governmental organisations that received overseas aid funding from Ireland in 2011 and to date in 2012; the amount each NGO received and the specific purposes for which this overseas aid was provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52482/12]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banks Recapitalisation (27 Nov 2012)

Simon Harris: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of meetings officials in his Department have had with public interest directors of Irish Banks in 2011 and to date in 2012; when the next such meetings are due; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52475/12]