Results 4,041-4,060 of 45,495 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Penal Policy Review Group (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Programme for Government 2020 contains a broad range of policies and proposals that represent a coherent approach to enhancing and sustaining a more just and safe society, with a specific commitment to review policy options for prison and penal reform. In respect of delivering on this commitment, the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024 was published in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Office of the Inspector of Prisons (OIP) was established under the Prisons Act 2007 and is independent in how it carries out its functions. The Inspector's role is to carry out regular inspections of prisons. The OIP has submitted a number of reports relating to Mountjoy Women’s Prison (Dóchas Centre) which have not yet been published. The Inspector of Prisons' three day...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Penal Policy Review Group (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: As background for the Deputy, the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024 was published in August 2022. Core to the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024 is the principle that while punishment for those who commit crime is a central element of our justice system, the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders is at the core of our penal...

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

Simon Harris: My Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering immigration permissions for customers residing in the Dublin area only. First time registrations and renewals for customers outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network. The allocation of appointments with GNIB is a matter for An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 539 and 540 together. As the Deputy is aware, an independent study was commissioned by my Department into familicide and domestic homicide reviews. This independent research involved consultations with a wide range of stakeholders, including family members of victims, state agencies and non-governmental organisations, with a view to making recommendations to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Schemes (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I understand that this is a difficult situation for our Afghan community and their loved ones. My Department has to date issued 450 approvals for beneficiaries under the Afghan Admission Programme. The impetus behind the Afghan Admission Programme has always been a humanitarian one of reaching out to our Afghan community, including the Afghan Council. It was in this spirit that my...

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

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics. The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases under reservation in relation to various crime statistics. The CSO also continues...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: It has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

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

Simon Harris: I can assure the Deputy that all deaths in custody are treated very seriously. The Irish Prison Service notify all deaths in their custody to An Garda Síochána, who investigate as appropriate, in addition to the inquest held in the Coroner's Court. All deaths in custody as well as any that occur within one month of temporary release from prison service custody are also subject to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for front-line immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. Other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Immigration officials conduct passport checks, and run operations as required, to ensure passengers arriving in the State are properly documented in accordance with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Applicants for international protection are required to cooperate with the international protection process. This includes ensuring their Temporary Residence Card is in date and their address is up to date with the International Protection Office (IPO). It is the case that some applicants leave the State without notifying the International Protection Office and choose not to continue with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 788 and 789 together. In considering this matter it is important to note that the total level of fees charged to Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) students is a matter for the higher education institutions, consistent with the principle of their institutional autonomy. The State provides support for broadening access to GEM programmes through the part-subsidy of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Proposed Legislation (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: During the debate on the Higher Education Authority Act 2022, a number of amendments to the Higher Education Authority Bill were requested by Senators relating to the inclusion of a definition of student union. I stated in the Seanad that I had assessed and considered these amendments but had received legal advice that the Higher Education Authority Act was not the appropriate place to define...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The mental health and well-being of students is a priority for my Department. My Department has progressed a number of initiatives, in partnership with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), over the last number of years to address the mental health and well-being issues faced by students in higher education. I have provided €15.9 million through...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: To ensure all eligible apprentices are offered a training place, the SOLAS apprenticeship scheduling management system is designed to call apprentices by apprenticeship and training phase, on a longest waiting basis on the day of scheduling to the nearest available Education and Training Board, Institute of Technology, or Technological University. Whilst every effort is made to eliminate...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 793 and 795 together. An Annual Student Contribution (ASC) is levied on all who attend Institutes of Technology (IoTs) and Technological Universities. The amount of ASC charged to apprentices is calculated on a pro-rata basis according to the time that they spend in the institution during the academic year. In cases where training is delivered in an...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising matters in relation to the cost of supporting students with higher education costs. I am acutely conscious of the challenges facing students and the need for the progressive implementation of measures to address cost as a barrier to education. I also recognise that costs are not limited to tuition fees payable by students and that students have real cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, the HEA recently carried out an exercise to identify options for building capacity in the higher education sector in priority disciplines including Veterinary Medicine. As I am still reviewing the submission from the HEA, it is not currently possible to say how many further places may be delivered at this time, which higher education institutions may be involved,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cost of Living Issues (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I am aware of the impact of accommodation shortages and cost of living on our third level students and am actively working to address the supply of student accommodation. Increasing costs of construction and financing are impacting on viability, and as a result a number of Universities had to pause their projects. In responding to these challenges, on 29 November 2022, Government approved...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Childcare Services (30 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I can confirm that my Department does not assist with, or make a financial contribution to, the sourcing or provision of childcare or crèche facilities for the children of any staff members of my Department.