Results 4,861-4,880 of 46,260 for speaker:Simon Harris

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...

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: Office of Director of Public Prosecutions (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, prosecutions are a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is independent in her functions under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 (as amended). While the enforcement of road traffic legislation is an operational matter for the Garda authorities, I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day...

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

Simon Harris: The safety and security of both public transport passengers and staff, including arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour, are important matters that must be managed by every public transport company, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána where appropriate. We can all agree that any acts of violence and anti-social behaviour are completely unacceptable. I want to make it very...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that a decision of the Workplace Relations Commission to award €30,000 to the individual concerned was appealed by the Irish Prison Service to the Labour Court. I am further advised that on 20th April 2022 the Labour Court set aside the Workplace Relations Commission decision, on that basis, no payment has been made nor is any...

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

Simon Harris: I have requested the information requested from the Garda authorities, however, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

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

Simon Harris: My Department is leading a number of important initiatives to ensure we better support all victims of crime. 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. Central to this is 'Supporting a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Irish Prison Service makes every effort to provide reasonable accommodations to people in custody with a range of disabilities. Everyone committed to the care of the Irish Prison Service has both a nursing and medical assessment completed within 2 and 24 hours respectively. These assessments highlight and initiate further services that may be required to safely and appropriately...

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

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the allocation of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I am, however, assured that the distribution of resources is kept under continual...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: As committed to in the Zero Tolerance Strategy, this work is ongoing and officials are continuing their examination of the practical and legal issues involved. Setting up a domestic violence register is something I discussed with Jason Poole, brother of Jennifer Poole who was murdered by her ex-partner, when I met with Jason. Officials in my Department are currently working to prepare policy...

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

Simon Harris: 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 improve the State's response to familicide and domestic...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The scheme referenced by the Deputy relates to sentencing and alternatives to detention. I’m sure the Deputy will appreciate that judges are independent in the matter of sentencing, as in other matters concerning the exercise of judicial functions, subject only to the constitution and the law. In accordance with this principle, the court is required to impose a sentence which is...