Results 5,701-5,720 of 45,373 for speaker:Simon Harris

Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Yes.

Seanad: Family Courts Bill 2023: Second Stage (2 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I am delighted to be here in Seanad Éireann to commence the passage of the Family Courts Bill. This Bill represents a major milestone on the path to achieving the commitment in the programme for Government to enact a family courts Bill to create a new dedicated family court within the existing court structure and provide for court procedures that support a less adversarial resolution of...

Seanad: Family Courts Bill 2023: Second Stage (2 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Senators. The depth of feeling and priority they assign to this area is clear from their contributions. It was fascinating and insightful listening to the Senators' experiences. It reminded us of the urgency of, and reasoning for, doing this. Be Senators advocates, practitioners or both, it is clear that we have a wealth of expertise in the Seanad, which we will be eager to draw...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (2 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, and will contact her again when this is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (2 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including the allocation of resources and Garda vehicles. As Minister I have no role in these matters. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda Water Unit (GWU) currently has two patrol boats, four rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) and six inflatable boats....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (2 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. Budget 2023 allocated funding of €2.14 billion to An Garda Síochána this year, which will enable recruits to enter the Garda College approximately every 11...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (2 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: Immigration Policy (2 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Policies under the responsibility of my Department in relation to immigration matters are kept under ongoing review and are informed by the need facilitate economic and social development, to fulfil our international obligations, and to take account of changing international geopolitical developments. I understand that the Deputy's query also encompasses developments in relation to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gender Recognition (2 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service is currently finalising an updated policy in relation to the management of transgender prisoners.  As part of that process the Irish Prison Service is considering all relevant information and learning arising from the experience in other jurisdictions.  As background for the Deputy, Prison Rules,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (2 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 366 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Prison Service must accept all prisoners committed by the Courts. As such the Irish Prison Service has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time, and the prison system is, of course, subject to peaks and troughs.  As the Deputy will also be aware the Government has provided...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (2 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The Coroner Service comprises of a network of coroners located in districts throughout the country. Coroners are independent quasi-judicial office holders whose function under the Coroners Acts 1962-2020 is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death certificate can issue. Depending upon the circumstances of an individual case, a death investigation may involve the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Sittings (2 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (2 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I can advise the Deputy that the table attached to this answer lays out the number of Garda members by Division for each year since 2018, and each month of 2022, up to 31 December, the latest date for which figures are available. I can also inform the Deputy that detailed statistics on Garda workforce numbers are published on my Department's website. These statistics include breakdowns...

Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Second Stage (1 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am delighted to have an opportunity to introduce the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022 to the House. I look forward to hearing contributions from Deputies today and in the coming days. As Deputies will be aware, this Bill is aimed at providing a robust statutory basis for the operating of recording devices by An...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Advertising (1 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science was established in June 2020. The table below details annual online advertising spend by the department, from the establishment of the department to date. Year Spend 2020 €6,251.24 2021 €14,082.40 2022 ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Advertising (1 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: No social media accounts of the kind referred to by the Deputy have been created by my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (1 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety of factors including the type of course and the student's access route. Typically there are two rates of fee, an EU Rate of Fee or a non-EU/International rate of fee. The assessment of a student’s application and the determination of the appropriate fee rate is a function of the institution attended. It is therefore necessary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (1 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: In terms of tuition fee supports, full time undergraduate student may be eligible to have their tuition fees, exclusive of the student contribution, paid on their behalf via my Department's Free Fees Initiative. However, in order to qualify for funding under the Department's Free Fees Initiative, students must meet the criteria of the scheme, including with regard to previous education. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (1 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The Higher Education Authority (HEA), as the funding and regulatory body for higher education in Ireland, has been working on a process to identify opportunities in the higher education system to build capacity in a number of areas including veterinary. The HEA will be assessing the applications received with an independent panel. The Veterinary Council of Ireland is the Statutory Body...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (1 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The loans available for Graduate Entry Medicine students are private arrangements between the relevant lenders and the students applying for such loans. However, I do understand from both students who have written to me and engagement with the relevant higher education institutions that the availability of such loans has been important in supporting people, including mature students, to study...