Results 5,221-5,240 of 45,373 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 to 145, inclusive, together. As the Deputy is aware, I obtained approval from the Government to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The closure of the Programme will not affect existing projects or individuals already approved under the programme. My Department will continue to monitor...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: Seeking protection is a human right and when someone asks for protection at the border of a country, that country’s authorities must examine that application. Ireland, as a party to the Geneva Convention, must also meet this obligation. Each application for international protection is examined in detail on its individual merits, taking all factors into account. Information is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The standard fee of €300 payable by an applicant is designed to reflect the cost involved in processing registrations. The Registration Office of my Department also provides an online renewals portal that speeds up the renewal process and a customer service team that is available to support customers all of which are provided to enhance our customers experience. The cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The fee for the replacement of a lost or stolen Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card is €300. If a person loses their IRP card or if it is stolen, they should report it to An Garda Síochána immediately. Check www.garda.ie to find a local station. If a person is abroad and loses their IRP card or if it is stolen, they should report it to the local police.  A copy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I understand the Deputy's query concerns Immigration registration in particular.  The Immigration Services Division of my Department including the Registration Office in Burgh Quay is resourced to meet customer requirements. There are currently 33 staff members attached to the Registration Office processing first time registrations and registration renewals. Overtime is also provided...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2023 of over €2 billion.This unprecedented amount will fund the planned recruitment of up to 1,000 new Garda recruits as well as over 400 Garda staff. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 153 together. 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 Garda business, including responsibility for the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. The Commissioner is also responsible under Section 33 of the Act for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I have requested an update from the Garda authorities on the crime prevention resources in Newbridge, Co Kildare and I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Capital Expenditure Programme (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time allowed.  I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is available.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Industrial Relations (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Senators Hoey and Gavan, and Senator Black in her absence, for raising this important issue. I genuinely appreciate the opportunity it gives me to update them, the Seanad and, most importantly, the tutors, on the matters the Senators have raised. As we all know, more than 3,300 adult education tutors are employed across our 16 education and training boards, ETBs. I agree they do...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Industrial Relations (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I would like to bring this to a conclusion within the coming weeks. I acknowledge the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform is engaging fully and intensively with my officials. Indeed, I am engaging with the Minister in that Department on this matter. It is appropriate that engagement takes place. We are seeking to move to a different scenario as...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: An Garda Síochána (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Ahearn for raising this matter and for taking me to Kickham Barracks in Clonmel on a number of occasions to see the significant progress being made on the site, which in no small part is thanks to his work and advocacy. It was brilliant to see the plaza site and superb to be able to say that Kickham Barracks will be home to a new third level campus. It is one of the first...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: An Garda Síochána (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I understand the Senator's frustration on behalf of his constituents and the people of Clonmel. There has been some progress made. Planning permission has been in place since 2021 to build a Garda station in Clonmel. When this Government was formed and our party came to office this was identified as a priority. It has been on the list of projects that will be funded. This planning...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Third Level Education (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Senator for raising this important and timely matter. When the Government came into office and I became Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, there were no plans to expand veterinary medicine in Ireland. If officialdom had been asked whether we needed extra veterinary places, the answer would have been no. I found that quite bizarre because...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Third Level Education (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I believe Senator Ahearn also wants to be associated with these remarks. As much as I have great regard for all of my colleagues and for the points they have made, they will understand why I am resisting commenting on any specific application out of respect to the independence of the process. I will just make two points. On a general point with respect to the University of Limerick, we do...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The number of commis chef apprentices registered for each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 to date are as follows: Total 2021 75 2022 102 2023 (end Jan) 0

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The department has not engaged the services of any influencers or media personalities over the time period in question. The information in respect of the state bodies within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by the Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Procurement Contracts (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to awards made both with and without a tender process to management consultancy firms is attached in tabular form.  The information in respect of state bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document, should the Deputy wish to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Procurement Contracts (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: IT Services in my Department are covered under a shared service agreement with the Department of Education. Officials in my Department liaised with colleagues in the Department of Education who provided the below information. CONTRACTS AWARDED TO MICROSOFT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BETWEEN 2018 -2022 NAME € AMOUNT PAID 2018 – 2022 ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department is aware of the continuing need to provide appropriate training and development opportunities with a view to supporting the inclusion of students with additional care needs in education. I believe the Deputy is aware of the current pilot national on-line training programme for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), a major educational initiative, which will enhance the knowledge,...