Results 5,661-5,680 of 45,373 for speaker:Simon Harris

Seanad: Moving Towards Zero Tolerance of Violence against Women: Statements (9 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Senators for their contributions to what has been an excellent debate. If we thought we were where we needed to be as a society, we would not have produced a strategy that calls for a zero-tolerance approach. It is a recognition that we have a hell of a lot of work to do together. I use the word "together" intentionally. There is a role for my Department from the criminal justice...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (9 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: At present, the student grant scheme is targeted at full-time students. Courses that are part-time, less than two years in duration, conducted online or as distance courses or which lead to a special purpose or distance award are not currently approved for the purposes of the Student Grant Scheme. However, I have been consistent in my position that we need to develop our student support...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (9 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I am conscious that this is a difficult situation for our Afghan community and their loved ones and 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 been liaising with representatives of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (9 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: If a person arriving at a port of entry to the State indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection they are admitted to the international protection process. My Department examines applications for international protection by anyone who indicates they wish to make an application, this is in accordance with our obligations under international and EU asylum law. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (9 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: As the person referred to by the Deputy is resident in Dublin, they can apply to renew their immigration permission through the online renewal system for the Registration office of my Department at:inisonline.jahs.ie/. Currently, the Registration office is processing applications made in the week commencing 30 November 2022. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (9 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants scheme opened on 31 January 2022 and closed on 31 July 2022. This once in a generation scheme was designed to give long-term undocumented people without a current permission to remain in the State, the chance to regularise their status, access the labour market and begin their path to citizenship. The scheme was only open to those who did...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (9 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I recognise the importance of international protection recipients having their family members reunited with them as soon as possible. To this end my Department engages, where necessary, with applicants for family reunification to ensure that they have every opportunity to meet the requirements of the International Protection Act 2015 in this regard. Family reunification under Section 56...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy. Regrettably this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy again once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy. Regrettably this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy again once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Administrative Arrangements (9 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering and renewing immigration permissions for customers residing in the Dublin area only. Registrations and renewals for customers resident outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network. A refund request from the person referred to by the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (9 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I note the person, details supplied, has experienced difficultly in attaining an immigration permission and I am advised that the relevant Unit will correspond directly with the person concerned to deal with the matter. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, and all applications are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (9 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 was published on 13 September 2022 and introduces a number of important reforms in the law across a broad range of areas. It is part of a suite of measures my Department continues to introduce which will improve access to justice and modernise the Courts system. The Bill passed committee stage in Dáil Éireann on 20...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Construction Industry (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I am pleased to have the opportunity to attend Seanad Éireann at the request of my colleague, Senator Murphy, to address the important issue he has brought to our attention. Under Housing for All, there are many initiatives under way to promote and encourage people to take up careers in construction and retrofitting. The Senator is correct that we need an awful lot more people working...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Construction Industry (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Murphy again for highlighting this issue. I could not agree more that this partnership approach is very important, both in terms of meeting the skills and societal challenges we face in the country. It is good to have industry, education and government working together to see how we can all play our part in making sure there are enough people with the appropriate...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Social Media (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: 37% of all social media videos posted on my department's social media accounts between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 inclusive included closed captioning/subtitling. This represents 81% of the videos containing dialogue or narration. While Irish Sign Language (ISL) translation was not included with any of the posted videos, it is the practice of the Department to include closed...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: To satisfy the current terms and conditions of the Student Grant scheme, a student must be progressing in their studies. In general, under the progression/previous academic attainment criteria of the Student Grant Scheme, students cannot qualify for grant assistance or free tuition fees for a second period of study at the same level or for a different course at the same level,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: In Budget 2023, I gave priority to introducing a significant package of measures that will see students and families directly benefit and will help them tackle the challenges posed by the increased cost of living. The agreed cost of living package provided for adjustments to the level of funding available through existing supports provided by my Department, as once off measures, for the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The Programme for Government (PFG) includes the commitment to ‘provide a range of free, adequate, safe, and suitable period products in all educational publicly-funded settings (including schools, colleges and HEIs), to ensure that no students are disadvantaged in their education by period poverty.’ The Government has also taken the decision to support the Private...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, in June of last year Government launched Zero Tolerance, the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender based violence. In line with the priority which we are attaching to tackling domestic, sexual and gender based violence, we will double the number of refuge spaces over the lifetime of the strategy, bringing it to 280. This will be the fastest ever...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, in June of last year Government launched Zero Tolerance, the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender based violence. In line with the priority which we are attaching to tackling domestic, sexual and gender based violence, we will double the number of refuge spaces over the lifetime of the strategy, bringing it to 280. This will be the fastest ever...