Results 5,161-5,180 of 45,373 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (7 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The once-off reduction of €1,000 in the student contribution only applies to students who are eligible for free fees.As outlined in my response of 25 January, a key principle of the design of the free fees initiative is to encourage progression, that is, to support students in progressing through a chosen course of study from year to year. As a result, students are not typically...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (7 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: Currently there are no undergraduate programmes in Irish Universities leading to a qualification specifically to become a special needs assistant (SNA). Existing programmes to become trained as a SNA are typically at level 5 and 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and are conducted in the further education and training sector. The educational requirements to become a SNA are...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (7 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: My officials have made enquiries with both Kerry Education and Training Board (KETB) and SOLAS regarding this matter. I can confirm that KETB has received approval to prepare a Preliminary Business Case for appraisal via the Public Spending Code to develop a College of the Future in Killarney. The associated Strategic Assessment Report, which led to this approval did not make reference to a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (7 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 489 and 490 together. I am conscious of the cost of living challenges facing students and the need for the progressive implementation of measures to address cost as a barrier to education. As part of the 2022 cost of living response in the Budget, I prioritised the introduction of a significant package of measures to directly support students and their...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Policies (7 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: One of the values in my Department’s Statement of Strategy (SoS) is to treat our colleagues and those to whom we provide services equitably, in keeping with our Public Sector Human Rights and Equality obligations. The SoS advocates for equality and respect for all and seeks to ensure a safe, respectful, inclusive and collaborative working environment for all staff. I have been advised...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (7 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy may be aware, the Expressions of Interest is an independent process managed by the Higher Education Authority. As such, it is not appropriate for me to comment. I am satisfied that as with all HEA processes, this process is being conducted to the highest standards and will be externally validated. This includes the expert advisory panel. I understand from the HEA that the panel...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Sector Pensions (7 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I am firmly of the view that there should be universal access to public service pensions in all higher education institutions across the sector. As such, my Department has been engaging positively with management bodies, the Department for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and the Department of Education on a business case to support access to the single...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (7 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The growth of the renewable energy sector is critical to meeting our Climate Action targets. The Government is committed to ensuring that the education and training system is appropriately positioned to support the growth and development of the skills required by this sector into the future. In this context, my Department is participating on a cross-Departmental Offshore Wind Energy...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Bodies (7 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The information sought is currently being compiled by SOLAS and will be forwarded to the Deputy when complete. The TENRCS system was originally designed by FAS to facilitate the recording and aggregation of test results and store summarized results in the RCCRS (Results Capture Certification Request) system for the purpose of onward submission to certifying bodies. At the time of its original...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (7 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The person referred to made an application to the Afghan Admission Programme which was received by my Department on 25 February 2022. I would like to take this opportunity to assure them that my Department is processing applications under the Afghan Admissions Programme as quickly as possible. To ensure as many people as possible can avail of this important programme my Department has...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Alcohol Sales (7 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: Following extensive consultation including representative bodies in the licensed trade, businesses, public health bodies, consumers and communities, the General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill was published on the 25th of October 2022. It marks the Government’s commitment to the reform and streamlining of licensing laws to support and stimulate the night time economy. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, recruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by legislation, particularly the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013 (as amended). These Regulations provide that the maximum age at which a person may apply to become a member of An Garda Síochána is not more than 35 years of age on the closing date of any...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service. Budget 2023 provides funding of over €2 billion for An Garda Síochána, of which €10m has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Bodies (7 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The Programme for Government commits to ‘recognise the domestic and international importance of data protection in Ireland’ and states that the Government ‘will ensure that Ireland delivers on its responsibilities under the General Data Protection Regulation’. The Government is very conscious of the commitment to deliver effective data protection regulation and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 Mar 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 purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (7 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) applications for two of the persons referred to by the Deputy continue to be processed, whilst one of the applications referred to has been decided. It should be noted that the stated minimum processing time required under the terms of the Atypical Working Scheme is 20 working days and the processing time for the applications referred to are within that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (7 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: Tackling domestic violence and supporting vulnerable victims are priorities for Government, for the Department of Justice, and for the Garda Commissioner. It is recognised that, historically, people may not have felt able to come forward to report domestic violence, for fear of retribution or indeed because they did not have confidence that the system would support and protect them. An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (7 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained. If a person indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection, they are admitted to the international protection...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Travel Documents (7 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 505 and 506 together. As there is no segregation of arriving passengers at Dublin Airport, it is not possible to distinguish between passengers arriving on a domestic or international flight in advance of them presenting at an immigration control desks. In all cases an Immigration officer must establish where passengers have arrived from, and to do this,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (7 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, the Community Safety Innovation Fund was established in April 2021 by Minister McEntee and the Minister for Public Expenditure to allow proceeds of crime to be directed into community projects to support community safety. The fund was allocated €2 million under Budget 2022. In 2022, the first year of the Fund, there were 124 applications from...