Results 42,921-42,940 of 46,267 for speaker:Simon Harris

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank the Senator for tabling the recommendation and recognising the measures taken in the budget to alleviate the burden of the universal social charge on a number of workers. The enactment of the Bill will result in the addition of a further 80,000 people to the 330,000 people from whom the requirement to pay the universal social charge has been removed since 2011. I do not propose to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Status (10 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: The representations referred to relate to proposals to address flooding in Raphoe, County Donegal. The delay in replying to the representations is regretted. The Office of Public Works received a draft Options Report from its consultant engineers in September 2014 outlining a suite of complementary mitigation measures to deal with flooding in the Raphoe. These comprise (a) measures to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (9 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: The cost of repairs to flood damaged properties would normally be covered by insurance taken out by individual property owners. There is no funding available from the Office of Public Works for this purpose. As regards the flooding in Ramelton it is a matter for Donegal County Council, in the first instance, to investigate and address flooding issues in the County. Ramelton was...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Properties (9 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: The planning process for relocation of the Dublin City Mortuary and the State Pathologist into refurbished premises at the former Whitehall Garda Station Dublin 9 has been completed. Tenders for the main works will be sought in early 2015 with appointment of the Contractor expected by end of Q1 2015. The works are programmed to take 9 months to complete with handover expected towards the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ordnance Survey Ireland Properties (9 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: Other than minimal fabric maintenance to arrest deterioration the Commissioners of Public Works are not aware of any plans by the Ordnance Survey Ireland to restore the house or of any proposed new use for the building.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (9 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 197 together. Arising from flood events in the area of Northlands Estate in Bettystown, Meath County Council submitted an application to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for funding to engage consultants to investigate the problem and bring forward proposals for mitigation measures. Funding was approved and the tendering process to procure...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Second Stage (4 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: I will revert to the Senator in relation to her second point. I have heard her loudly and clearly on her first point.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Second Stage (4 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: In fairness, I heard her speaking on this issue in this House on budget day as well. I know it is a view she holds.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Second Stage (4 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: Senator Mullins has expressed a view on it as well. As I have said, the reform of the universal social charge commenced in this budget. We have chosen to direct the level of reform at people who pay the lower rates and to exempt a further 80,000 people from the charge. I take the Senator's point about the breadth of the 7% band. I will certainly convey her views to the Minister for Finance.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Second Stage (4 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: I would make the point that from January, following the passage of this legislation, every worker in this country who pays income tax or the universal social charge, or both, will see an increase in his or her net take-home pay as a result of the Finance Bill. I am sure we can all welcome that. I commend the Bill to the House.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Second Stage (4 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: At the outset, I thank Senators for what has been an interesting and wide-ranging debate, as debates on the Finance Bill always tend to be because it is a Bill that encompasses many different policy areas and has such an impact on the running of the State and society for the coming year. I thank the Senators for their comments and I look forward to delving further into some of these issues...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Second Stage (4 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: It is working.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Second Stage (4 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: I am very pleased to be in the Seanad today for this Second Stage debate on the Finance Bill 2014. We find ourselves today in a different economic place than we were in when we debated previous Finance Bills. We can now have a debate in the context of a growing economy where thankfully many more people are at work. The strong Exchequer figures which we published on Tuesday are yet one more...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ground Rents Payments (4 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 84 together. The annual ground rent for properties under the remit of the Commissioners of Public Works is €4,147.44. The top ten recipients of ground rent for properties in State ownership under the remit of the Commissioners of Public Works are set out as follows: The table shows the Landlord and the annual ground rent paid. Landlord...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (4 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: Without a more detailed address the Office of Public Works (OPW) is not in a position to be absolutely definitive about the specific lands mentioned by the Deputy but in recently carrying out some maintenance on the Marine Catchment Drainage Scheme at Castleisland erosion was identified on lands in the ownership of a named person. This erosion is considered as posing a risk of flood damage,...

Topical Issue Debate: Flood Relief Schemes Status (3 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: I am delighted to be able to provide Deputy Carey with this information and good news for Ennis. It is an issue he has been pursuing for some time with me and my predecessors. It might be useful to inform the Deputy and the House that Clare County Council has estimated that the all-in cost of the scheme, inclusive of all professional fees and other costs, will be in the region of...

Topical Issue Debate: Flood Relief Schemes Status (3 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Carey for raising this important matter and for giving me the opportunity to address the House and update the Deputy and the people of Ennis about it. During November 2009, following an exceptionally prolonged and intense wet spell, Saint Flannan's College in Ennis, County Clare, and built-up areas in its environs, experienced severe flooding from Flannan's stream. This...

Order of Business (3 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: Everybody else supported it.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (3 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: The lands in question form part of the River Maine Arterial Drainage scheme for which the Office of Public Works has a maintenance responsibility. It is subject to an average cycle of maintenance taking place just over once every 5 years. This work is carried out to ensure that the State's investment in the Arterial Drainage schemes continues to provide the intended benefits. I am...

Topical Issue Debate: Flood Relief Schemes Status (2 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: I will look favourably on both of the Deputy's requests. He can take as a given that I will do everything I can to ensure the report is delivered with haste. I share his frustration and that of people in Skibbereen. The Government wants this flood relief scheme to be delivered and has provided funding to that end. People in Skibbereen now expect it to be delivered, having invested...