Results 3,881-3,900 of 45,291 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The first thing I want to say in regard to the change in the law to protect peace officers and provide maximum sentences is that everybody in the House, including the Deputy, shares the view that it is important that we put legislation in place to send out a very clear message and solidarity from this, the people's House, with those on the front line that it simply will not be tolerated if...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I think we both agreed on the issue of people with short sentences and how we can try to help them be diverted from prisons in the first place. With my other hat is on as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, I am delighted that this week the Government agreed to establish a new prison education task force which will be jointly chaired by me and the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I fundamentally agree with the Deputy that there should never be a scenario where, for example, a school, workshop or training centre in a prison cannot open and people are instead sent out to a yard. That is a recipe for a variety of challenges, including challenges for prison officers as well as trying to break the cycle that we collectively want to break. I have spoken to the director...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Kenny for raising the question. I very much appreciate the fact that he referenced the challenging situation gardaí can find themselves in. I want to take this opportunity to thank members of An Garda Síochána. There have been well over 125 anti-immigration protests in the city alone. Gardaí have been working in very challenging environments and I want...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Travel Documents (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Immigration officials conduct passport checks, and run operations as required, to ensure passengers arriving in the State are properly documented in accordance with Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004. The exercise of powers in this area is at all times subject to the law and to respect for individual rights. Valid travel documentation is required by carriers for boarding a flight to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to all of those who apply for it. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs. Last year, in 2022, there were 13,613 Certificates of Naturalisation issued to successful applicants, which includes 1,719 in respect of minors. Overall,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. Since 2015, the Government has increased the budget of An Garda Síochána by approximately €672m, or 46%. Funding has been provided for up to 1,000 new Gardaí this year and we are seeing more Garda recruits enter...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. Since 2015, the Government has increased the budget of An Garda Síochána by approximately €672m, or 46%. This has allowed for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment and new vehicles. As the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to that. Since 2015, the Government has increased the budget of An Garda Síochána by approximately €672m, or 46%. This has allowed for sustained and ongoing recruitment. The Deputy will appreciate that the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Insurance Industry (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Insurance reform is a key priority for this Government and is reflected in the Programme for Government, the Government’s Action Plan for Insurance Reform, and in my Justice Plan 2023. The Government's Action Plan for Insurance Reform sets out 66 actions designed to bring down costs for consumers and business, introduce more competition into the market, prevent fraud and reduce the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Community safety is not just about the number of Gardaí in communities. Community safety is a whole of Government responsibility and it requires a multi-agency approach. The Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill will place statutory obligations on Departments and other public service bodies to cooperate with each other to improve community safety. It also establishes national...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. Since 2015, the Government has increased the budget of An Garda Síochána by approximately €672m, or 46%. This has allowed for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment and new vehicles. As the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Mental Health Services (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, the Final Report and Recommendations of the High Level Task Force to consider the mental health and addiction challenges of those who come into contact with the criminal justice sector was published by Minister McEntee and the Minister for Health in September 2022. The recommendations aim to ensure better support for people at the earliest point at which they...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: When a victim engages with the justice system, they should know what to expect, be confident they will be treated respectfully and sensitively, know what their legally enforceable rights are and what supports are available at every step in the process. My Department is leading a number of important initiatives to ensure we better support all victims of crime. Central to this is 'Supporting a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Programmes (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Immigrant Investor Programme was established over a decade ago during a time of unprecedented economic difficulty to stimulate investment in Ireland that would be of strategic and public benefit to the State. Since its inception, the Programme has brought significant investment to Ireland and has been operated by my Department to the highest professional standards. However, it is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: While my Department is responsible for administering the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, we cannot make any changes to the fees without the consent of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDPDR). In March 2009 and October 2011, the fees payable to barristers under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme were reduced in line with FEMPI legislation. My Department recognises...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 30 and 31 together. The Government has noted the report of Judge Gerard Haughton arising from the scoping exercise into the circumstances surrounding the tragic and untimely death of Shane O’Farrell in August 2011. I would like to once again express my sincere condolences and those of the Government to the O’Farrell family on Shane’s...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 35 together. I recently met with the Commissioner to discuss the incidents where tents belonging to refugees in Dublin City Centre were set on fire. I want to be perfectly clear that these scenes are totally unacceptable and will be fully investigated by An Garda Síochána. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Established in 2006, the Garda Reserve represents a real opportunity for anyone wishing to support policing and give something back to their communities. The Reserve reinforces An Garda Síochána's essential community links, and provides capacity to draw on additional resources to assist in policing. I would like to acknowledge the important contribution made by all members of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy notes, the position in regard to applications of this nature is set out in the Policy Document for Non-EEA Family Reunification,which is available on my Department's website. The policy document sets out the rationale for applying resource requirements as part of the overall assessment of whether to approve an application for family reunification. In general terms, the sponsor...