Results 3,781-3,800 of 45,291 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (1 Jun 2023)

Simon Harris: Equity of Access to Further and Higher Education continues to be a national priority for the Government and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Inclusion is a key goal in my Department's Statement of Strategy. The Deputy may be aware that I already instigated improvements to the student grant scheme in Budget 2022. For the academic year 2022/23, I...

Seanad: Garda Reserve: Statements (31 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach and Senators for the opportunity to address the House on this matter. I thank Senator McDowell who sought this discussion. We have spoken about the issue and I am very grateful to have the opportunity to explore it. I express my gratitude to the members of the Garda Reserve for their commitment and dedication to community safety. The time...

Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences against the Person (Amendment) (Spiking) Bill 2023: Second Stage (31 May 2023)

Simon Harris: In the week I have been described in one newspaper as a poor Michael McDowell tribute act, which I do not think was meant as a compliment, I am now taking it as such after listening to Senator McDowell's worthy intervention.

Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences against the Person (Amendment) (Spiking) Bill 2023: Second Stage (31 May 2023)

Simon Harris: First, I am delighted to be here to take this legislation. I thank my colleagues in the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party and the Fine Gael Seanad group for tabling this legislation and for working so proactively on it. I am delighted we have an opportunity to discuss it. I thank the members of Young Fine Gael for all their work. Whatever people's political persuasion in this House, is it not...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (31 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Under the Further Education and Training Act (2013), SOLAS has statutory responsibility for planning, funding, and co-ordinating Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland. My officials have referred your query to SOLAS for direct reply to the individual in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (31 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The introduction of the Apprentice Employer Grant of €2,000 per apprentice per annum was a significant deliverable under the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025. Its introduction meant that, for the first time, employers of all apprentices will now have access to financial support, either through direct payment of allowances to apprentices or through this employer grant. In this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (31 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 207 together. The Technological Universities Transformation Fund (TUTF) is a 3-year fund totalling €90 million, for the period 2020 – 2023. It will officially end on 31 August 2023, with all €90 million allocated to the seven technological higher education institutions (ATU, DkIT, IADT, MTU, SETU, TU Dublin and TUS). The fund...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (31 May 2023)

Simon Harris: In Budget 2023 the Government introduced a range of measures to support people with the cost of living. As part of this overall response, I introduced a significant package that has seen students and families directly benefit. The package provided for adjustments to the level of funding available through existing supports provided by my Department, including once-off measures in academic...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (31 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The main support available to assist postgraduate students with the cost of attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved full-time course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (31 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Since 2021, the Department has disbursed just over €96m in funding for the 2021/22 and 2022/23 academic years under the Devolved Capital Grant to Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and eligible Higher Education Institutions. The Devolved Capital Grant is allocated in accordance with a model based primarily on student numbers, weighted by course type and mode of study. In April...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government commits in the Programme for Government to reviewing the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016 and to broaden the range of convictions that are considered spent. As part of this review process, a public consultation on spent convictions was launched by my Department in October 2020. Bespoke research on the approach to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I can advise the Deputy that the individual referred to was served with a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999. This notification remains in place and I am informed that the person has submitted written representations in response to that notification. The next step in the process is that a decision will be made to make a Deportation Order, or...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Data Protection (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Programme for Government commits to ‘recognise the domestic and international importance of data protection in Ireland’ and states that the Government ‘will ensure that Ireland delivers on its responsibilities under the General Data Protection Regulation’. As the Deputy is aware, the Data Protection Commission is statutorily independent in the performance...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I understand that Parliamentary Question No. 467 of 9 May 2023 refers to the ages of each horsebox vehicles currently within the Garda Mounted Unit. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I have again contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regretfully this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the procurement, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda equipment. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. The Government is however committed to ensuring An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I understand the Parliamentary Question No. 453 of 9 May 2023 refers to the number of vehicles seized by Gardaí for having no insurance within the Dublin Metropolitan Division in the years of 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I understand that Parliamentary Question No. 462 of 9 May 2023 refers to the number of Senior Investigating Officers (SIOs); and the total full-time equivalent of each child protection unit since 2019 to-date in 2023, in tabular form. As the Deputy is aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for decisions in relation to the allocation and control of Garda personnel and resources. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in these matters. I am...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I understand that Parliamentary Question 1041 of 18 April 2023 and follow up question 454 of 9 May 2023 refers to the number of Gardaí by rank attached to each divisional crime scenes unit as of 12 April 2023. As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of...