Results 5,741-5,760 of 45,373 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997 and requires Government approval. No Special Adviser has been formally appointed to my Department since December 2022, although I will shortly request a Government Order to reappointment the Special Adviser previously assigned to my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Costs (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: The main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme where students are studying for the first time or are progressing to study at a higher level. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine. Subject to meeting...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Official Travel (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, from the 1 January 2020, all Government Departments and Offices have been instructed to calculate and record the carbon emissions associated with flights they have taken. Each Department is then required to value every tonne of carbon emissions their air travel gives rise to at the prevailing rate of the carbon tax. Since the establishment of my Department in June...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, progression, previous academic attainment and means. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Adult Education Provision (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: The Deputy will be aware that the HEAR scheme is a reduced points mechanisms for entry into higher education. It is managed and operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) on behalf of the higher education institutions who are autonomous bodies. Admissions under the schemes are regulated by the higher education institutions themselves. Each institution determines its own admissions...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy may be aware, the Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) for the support of doctors providing locum services to the hospital sector in the State was established by agreement between the Department of Justice, the Department of Health, the Health Services Executive and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in 2014. The Scheme was established in order to facilitate the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Control of Dogs (31 Jan 2023)

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

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Judgments (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Schemes (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: I am informed by the Immigration Service of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 14 September 2022. This Order requires the person concerned to remove themselves from the State and remain outside the State. The enforcement of Deportation Orders are a matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Representations have since been...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gangland Crime (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: I can assure the Deputy that tackling gangland crime activity is an absolute priority for An Garda Síochána and the Government. I wish to acknowledge the superb and painstaking work of the Gardaí in harnessing an international coalition of support to tackle the criminality associated with a particular Organised Crime Group. The enforcement of sanctions demonstrates the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: As background for the Deputy, Prison Rules, 2007 (S.I. No. 252/2007) set out the minimum rules and regulations on all aspects of life in prisons in Ireland, including admission, accommodation, visiting rights, health, discipline, education, and so forth. Much of the daily operation of prisons is guided by the Prison Rules. The Prison Service is responsible for the safe and secure custody...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: I can inform the Deputy that no new advisers have taken up employment in the Department of Justice since December 2022.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, theft is an offence under section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. Anyone convicted of a theft offence is liable to a penalty of a fine or up to 10 years imprisonment. Under section 14 of the Act, a person found guilty of robbery (theft using coercion or force) is potentially liable on conviction on indictment to life...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Official Travel (31 Jan 2023)

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

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: The International Protection office of my Department endeavours to make recommendations on international protection applications as soon as possible. This ensures that those who are found to be in need of protection from the State can receive it quickly and begin rebuilding their lives here with a sense of safety and security.  My Department continues to take all necessary steps to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department will continue to take all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively. My Department is committed to reducing processing times for international protection applicants.     During 2022, the number of people claiming international protection increased significantly, with 13,651 applications made...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department's overall objective is to have decisions made on applications from people seeking international protection as quickly as possible. This ensures that those who are found to be in need of protection in Ireland can receive it quickly and begin rebuilding their lives here with a sense of safety and security.  During 2022 the number of people claiming international...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: I understand that the Deputy has clarified that this question relates to the Afghan Admissions Programme rather than Afghan Programme refugees. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: The person referred to by the Deputy holds a Stamp 1 immigration permission, granted for the purpose of obtaining an employment permit and it is valid until 17 March 2023. If the person concerned wishes to remain in the State beyond that date, a prospective employer must apply for and be granted an employment permit by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). Should they be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reviews (31 Jan 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners have established a Joint Review Group to examine the role of Sheriffs, as currently constituted, in respect of State work. The Review Group is independently chaired by a former Secretary General of this Department, and comprises of representatives from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Courts Service, the Departments of...