Results 1,981-2,000 of 45,495 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: Be careful, so.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I am not really sure where to start there. There will be a general election in due course. I am really looking forward to it because there will definitely be alternative political views on offer. I am not sure who is in this left coalition or whether Sinn Féin is in it. Maybe its members are not sure themselves either, but they will work it out after they have the review. Every...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I congratulate Deputy Cairns on the election of the councillors from her party. I wish everybody who was elected well. Lots of people voted for my party as well, and for my coalition party colleagues in Fianna Fáil and the Green Party. Her view of how people view the political situation is not always in line with what the people actually decided to do at the ballot box on Friday....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: In your view.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I did not say we are doing a report. We do not need any more reports. I said that between now and budget day, we will review the means test. When I talk to carers-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I referred to the respite investment plan. There are two different issues involved. Let us take them sequentially. In regard to the means test, when I go around the country, there are too many people who find it a bit mean. We want to make the means test more generous and understanding in order that more carers can benefit. That is why this week - Deputy Cairns can shake her head all...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: -----because those are the schools attended by the children with the most complex needs. They rely on the provision of the service.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: The Deputy should not come in here with her one setting of performative outrage. Let us actually engage on the substance of the issue, namely the fact that more schools are availing of the programme and that a Minister of State with responsibility for special educational needs is, for the first time ever, sitting at the Cabinet table.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: We also have a Cabinet sub-committee to break down silos and end bureaucracy. That is what people want. They do not just wan us to define the problems; they want us to come up with solutions.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I would have thought Deputy McDonald had learnt that this weekend.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I thought Deputy McDonald would be trying humility today.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: Hear, hear.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: Hear, hear.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy McDonald for raising this important issue. It is important because parents of children with special educational needs do rely on the summer provision. It provides excellent support to children during the summer period. It The programme also provides excellent support to families. I assure parents who are watching in today that I intend to prioritise special educational...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: What I invite the Deputy to do is to not mislead people. What the Deputy has conveniently suggested is that the change in the capitation rate has resulted in a reduction in service, when, actually, more schools are providing it this year than last year. The number in that regard is up to 1,700 from 1,400. Those are additional schools - we can all do the maths. The reality of the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Data (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: The Department of the Taoiseach, in line with the rest of the Civil Service, actively supports diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all staff. In addition to training and presentations on diversity and inclusion related topics, the Department also supports staff attendance at relevant conferences and staff participation in mentoring...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Contracts (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: The Department of the Taoiseach does not oversee any capital projects and has no capital expenditure subhead in its Estimates. A review of the available records confirmed no contracts or expenditure with the company in question.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (29 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank colleagues for the range of questions. I join Deputy Smith in thanking all our emergency and uniformed services who have kept the country safe on many occasions in different ways. The Border communities the Deputy represents are particularly acutely aware of the huge level of service provided by those people. I echo those words. I know Dún Uí Néill barracks because...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Urban Development (29 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy O'Callaghan for his comments on the task force and for welcoming it and welcoming the appointment of David McRedmond. I, too, thank Mr. McRedmond for the work he is doing. It is interesting that the Deputy mentioned the impact of Covid. He is correct that in looking to establish this task force, it was looking at examples of capital cities and the impact Covid has had on...