Results 44,541-44,560 of 46,456 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staffing (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: 63. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to reinstating an EAL teacher based in a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow owing to the specific circumstances in this school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48612/13]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Issues (13 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: 74. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow who has been refused a reader for next year's State examinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48514/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fire Service Issues (12 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: 266. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied with the procedures and policies in place in Wicklow County Council in relation to the fire service; if he is satisfied that all these policies comply with circulars set down by his Department and relevant legislation; his views on the recent findings of a court in relation to this local authority...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rental Accommodation Scheme Eligibility (12 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: 273. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the circumstances in which a person may enter the rental accommodation scheme even though they have not been in receipt of rent supplement for 18 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47814/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (7 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: I know a person who contacted the helpline and was told a letter would be received by 11 November. That is probably not good enough. Are there people who should have received letters who have not yet received them?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (7 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: I thank Ms Feehily. With regard to the helpline, I know that becasue of all the confusion demand is very high. Many people report significant delays, although I have encountered them. What is the target? How quickly does Revenue hope to deal with those who call the helpline today?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (7 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Why is it the case that payment was accepted from somebody last year based on one valuation band, but the person in question has received a charge seeking the full year amount in a higher band?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (7 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Therefore, Revenue has gone back to the original.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (7 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Revenue can go back.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (7 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: This is very helpful. Has there been a change in the information required to be submitted online when dealing with people living in the United Kingdom for the past 30 years but who have a property here? They do not have PPS numbers, but they were able to pay the charge online for the half year period without a problem. The website is now looking for a PIN, a property ID and a PPS number.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (7 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: I thank Ms Feehily for attending today. What advice would she give to people who believe they should have received a letter from Revenue and still have not received a letter?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon - Annual Accounts 2011 (7 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Mr. Neilan told me that the total amount was €600,000. He has mentioned contracts amounting to approximately €354,000. Does he want to provide a breakdown of the remaining contracts?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon - Annual Accounts 2011 (7 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: I welcome those improvements. I am glad that action is being taken on foot of the Comptroller and Auditor General's recommendations. That is positive to hear. I would like to mention two more matters. I will be very brief. I know that there have been a number of attempted break-ins - they were unsuccessful, fortunately - and that crimes have been detected with regard to cash management...

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon - Annual Accounts 2011 (7 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: That is very impressive research. Bord na gCon must have a good research unit.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon - Annual Accounts 2011 (7 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Okay.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon - Annual Accounts 2011 (7 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: That is all fine and admirable and no one has a difficulty with that. However, the two questions relating to this issue remain. Could the interests of the industry, the board's bank balance and ultimately the taxpayer been better protected if Mr Neilan had taken the advice of the engineer and the solicitor to include the fill in the contract? Second, when that failed to happen and was not...

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon - Annual Accounts 2011 (7 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: I have one final question on the Limerick project. In my experience, solicitors do not write letters and project managers do not prepare letters unless they believe those letters or their advice is sought. Therefore, Mr. Neilan's solicitors must have presumed or heard from him that he wanted to include or was considering including this condition in the contract. Equally, presumably the...

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon - Annual Accounts 2011 (7 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Yes, but your solicitor provided you with advice. Presumably that advice was solicited. Presumably Mr. Neil sought their advice on the contract.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon - Annual Accounts 2011 (7 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Yes, but it did not appear in the contract.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon - Annual Accounts 2011 (7 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Fine. I thank Mr. Neilan for his answers but I am still at sixes and sevens as to why, when his engineer told him to put in it and his solicitor drafted it up as a requirement of the contract, he signed a contract that did not include it. I will move on because I do not think we can advance this matter any further at present. The next issue I wish to deal with is procurement, most...