Results 46,021-46,040 of 46,522 for speaker:Simon Harris

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: -----give them the flexibility to do so. This is in line with the commitments in the programme for Government to end the one-size-fits-all approach to education and to give greater autonomy to those who know a school best, the principal and board of management.

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: The recent budget also provided for the filling of 300 additional principal posts.

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: I met many principals throughout my constituency, as I am sure has every public representative, and noted they have really struggled to run their schools in recent years due to the vacant assistant principal posts. This measure will assist schools in filling management positions which also have a guidance role, including year heads. Year heads are often a natural point of support for students.

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: I welcome the Minister's engagement with the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. I would hate to see a school lose its entire guidance provision. The support provided to students by guidance teachers in providing advice, support and information on third level options and a range of wider supports concerning the well-being of the student is invaluable. Schools have a statutory obligation to...

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: I do not have the luxury to enjoy the limelight of the stage that Deputy O'Dea likes to-----

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: The Deputy's party had its chance. It had 14 years and made its decisions and we are left with its mess.

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Unless some Members of the Opposition want to go down the road of Greece, Latvia and Northern Ireland, which face school closures, this Government will take a responsible step forward.

Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No.3) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: I welcome the publication and introduction of this important legislation. It continues the Government's agenda of both helping job retention and establishing the foundations for economic recovery while supporting the most vulnerable workers in our society. It follows on from the restoration of the minimum wage, clearly aimed at assisting lower paid workers, and the jobs initiative, aimed at...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (17 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 131: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of money the Revenue Commissioners aim to recoup to the Exchequer from the cross-sharing of information between the Departments of Finance and Social Protection which resulted in 150,000 pensioners receiving letters from the Revenue Commissioners last week stating that they were not tax compliant; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 132: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of additional staff that have been assigned to the telephone helpline established by the Revenue Commissioners and Department of Finance to deal with the concerns of the 150,000 pensioners who recently received letters from the Revenue Commissioners stating that they were not tax compliant; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 133: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of calls that have been received by the telephone helpline established by the Revenue Commissioners and Department of Finance to deal with the concerns of the 150,000 pensioners who recently received a letter from the Revenue Commissioners stating that they were not tax compliant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2018/12]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (17 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 237: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the projected savings that will be made by the budget 2012 decision to assess carer's allowance as income for the purposes of the family income supplement; the number of families that will be affected by this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2063/12]

Ministerial Staff (17 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Deputy Adams has three different standards.

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (12 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 76: To ask the Minister for Finance the criteria upon which a primary medical certificate may be awarded, and in specific, if there is any mechanism under which chronic illnesses, which relapse and remit, may be recognised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1653/12]

Written Answers — Employment Support Services: Employment Support Services (12 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 102: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the rationale behind the exclusion of persons in receipt of the disability allowance from labour activation and further education programmes such as Springboard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1655/12]

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (12 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 110: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to instances in which schools are limiting the attendance of children with special educational needs on health and safety grounds; his views that this situation is unacceptable; if he concurs that in such instances all necessary resources to ensure a child can fully attend school are in place; and if...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (12 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 111: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that documentation is produced for parents from either the National Council for Special Education or the special educational needs organiser outlining the way a decision was reached regarding the resources to be allocated to a child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1726/12]

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (12 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 112: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the actions he is taking in conjunction with the National Council for Special Education to ensure a standardising of the decision-making process regarding resources allocated by special educational needs organisers; if he is concerned that standards can differ significantly from locality to locality; and if he will make a statement...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (12 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 113: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to expedite the co-ordination of the assessment of needs process for a child with special educational needs prior to them commencing school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1728/12]

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (12 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 114: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider reforming the role of special needs assistants in classrooms; if he has considered the experience of other education systems in Europe in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1729/12]