Results 2,681-2,700 of 46,235 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: You were offending at that point.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I do not need your permission.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: Why are ye upset, lads?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I acknowledge the Labour Party's success in the European elections and congratulate Deputy Bacik's colleague Deputy Ó Ríordáin on his election to the European Parliament. I believe he is still Deputy Ó Ríordáin.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I know Deputy Bacik would not wish to misrepresent our position. There will be no rowing back on workers' rights. There is nothing I have said, nothing the Government has done and nothing the Government has indicated that suggests I am rowing back. The question, and it is a legitimate question, is on the pace at which costs come at small businesses. This is why, prior to my election as...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: When would you like it?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Canney for raising these matters. The Government wants to remove any barrier that exists to the development of housing and housing schemes, such as the Deputy has indicated. I am concerned when I hear Deputy Canney highlighting these important issues being perceived as barriers in his community. I am very eager to work with him and to work through the structures in Galway to...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: There is a lot of hand hygiene and a lot of people washing their hands here. Let me assure the Deputy we will not wash our hands of our responsibility to deliver for the people of Galway in terms of housing supply. I am pleased with the progress we are making on social housing, as Deputy Canney has acknowledged. I also acknowledge that we need to do more on this. We continue to be...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I again thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I assure her that the words "dismissive" or "dismissing" could never be attached to me or this Government when it comes to this issue. It is an issue on which everybody in this House and everybody in Ireland wants to make more progress. There has been a significant increase in mental health presentations, particularly among younger people,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. The Government welcomes yesterday's publication of the report of the Low Pay Commission. The Government, and specifically the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, will now give it consideration. He will carry out an economic impact assessment and will then make recommendations to Cabinet, if that is the appropriate thing to do. We...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy McDonald for raising what is an extremely important issue. I share her view that more needs to be done and that we need to make much more progress. I thank the Deputy for raising the case of Maggie, in particular. Indeed, I would be very happy to make contact with Maggie's mother and engage in any way I can. I understand the Minister of State for mental health has met the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Flexible Work Practices (12 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: The Civil Service has a Central Policy Framework for Blended Working. Guided by this the Department of the Taoiseach launched a Blended Working Policy in November 2022 with staff members invited to submit applications for blended working arrangements. By the end of 2022, approximately 45% of departmental staff had applied for and were subsequently approved for a formal blended working...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Nolan for raising this issue. I agree with her that school caretakers and secretaries are crucial parts of school communities. We all see this as we travel around the country and in schools in our own communities. I will certainly talk to the Minister for Education about the ancillary services grant and the impact the Deputy believes this is having on schools in her...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy O'Dea for raising this very important matter. I begin by extending my sympathies to the family of Nicole Morey. I think the whole country extends its sympathies to that family and community at this horrific time. The Minister, Deputy Humphreys, did update the Cabinet on this matter today. The Deputy is correct that she has asked the task force looking at these issues in...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Cairns for raising this issue on behalf of the community of Shannon Vale. It sounds like an horrific situation for that community for this to have been going on for so long. What might be of use, and I am happy to do this if it is, would be for me to ask that Uisce Éireann and others would convene a meeting of Oireachtas Members for the constituency to see if we can-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I will speak to the chief executive of Uisce Éireann, see where the situation is at and then come back to Deputy Cairns. If getting people in a room together might be of use to the Deputy, I am happy to do that.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this issue. I intend to meet with Family Carers Ireland this month. We intend to review the means tests for supports for carers. It is the Government's view that they need to change and the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, wants to examine this issue in the context of the budget. I do meet too many carers who are not benefiting from or are locked out of being...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I heard the serious concerns of the people of Borrisokane recently when I was in Tipperary and I have received some correspondence from them which I will come back to them on after I have engaged with the Minister. I do take it that Borrisokane, and I am just referencing that place because it is the one I know, has been very welcoming and helpful in responding to the humanitarian crisis.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Harkin for raising this important matter. I am advised by the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, that she understands that the national advocacy service submitted a business case to the Citizens Information Board in relation to pay grades and other conditions on 10 May last on foot of that Labour Court recommendation. My understanding is that, as part of these considerations, the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Costello for raising the issue of the need for a primary care centre for Drimnagh. I will follow up with the HSE directly. As the Deputy says, a site was identified. I will seek an update for him on timelines and on that piece regarding engagement in terms of the facilities and services that are needed.