Results 5,821-5,840 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Feb 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 €2.14 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: Legislative Reviews (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will know, the Department of Justice contracted an independent expert to undertake the review of Part 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act. As part of the review, an online public consultation was opened and contributions were received from a broad range of organisations with different perspectives. The review will consider all aspects outlined in the Terms of Reference....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 325 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Health leads on Government policy in the area of drugs, and this policy is guided by the national drugs and alcohol strategy "Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025". This strategy represents a whole-of-Government response to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy may be aware, on 16 November, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee published the Report of the Child Maintenance Review Group. On foot of its recommendations, a number of very significant reforms of the social welfare system in this field have been introduced, which will be of great benefit to lone parents. In...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Agreements (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I can inform the Deputy that I am aware of the interest of the Turkish authorities in concluding a reciprocal diplomatic visa waiver agreement with Ireland. These matters are currently being considered by my Department, in consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (8 Feb 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 all human resource matters and recruitment. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in such matters. Within each Garda Division, there are specialist Crime Prevention Officers (CPOs)....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: In order to work in Ireland, a non-EEA national, unless they are exempted, must hold a valid employment permit, which is administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). Visa required nationals must apply for a “D” long stay employment visa once they have been granted an employment permit from DETE. Employment visas are currently processed in seven...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy may be aware, the Labour Court has recently made a determination on two cases regarding the age of recruitment for An Garda Síochána. These cases followed an appeal of two Workplace Relations Commission decisions where the adjudication Officer upheld the complaints of two individuals based on discrimination on the grounds of age, regarding the age of recruitment into...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reviews (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, an independent study has been commissioned by my Department into familicide and domestic homicide reviews. This independent research has involved consultations with a wide range of stakeholders including family members of victims, state agencies and non-governmental organisations, with a view to making recommendations to improve the State's response to familicide and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The Deputy will appreciate that An Garda Síochána and the Office of Public Works (OPW) have responsibility for the Garda Estate, including the Garda College and its facilities. I understand that a number of schools who applied for a licence to use the swimming pool have had their application approved by the OPW, pending receipt by the OPW of the €10 licencing fee.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I can assure the Deputy that I am familiar with the figures referred to and that the matter is the subject of close attention. In particular, Immigration Officials in my Department are actively engaging with airport authorities and airlines at a senior level to underscore the importance of passengers possessing correct documentation and to provide support in helping them to reduce the number...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The Irish Prison Service Chaplaincy Service has a significant contribution to make as part of the multi-disciplinary team in a prison, addressing the physical, social and spiritual needs of prisoners in a holistic way. Each Chaplain is required under Rule 119(1) of the Prison Rules to submit a report to the Director General and to the Governor on matters relating to the provision of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy may be aware, the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill was approved for publication by Government on 22 November 2022. The Bill, as part of a suite of proposals to empower the Garda Commissioner as a “true CEO” to lead the organisation and drive change, provides for the Garda Commissioner to recruit Garda staff directly to An Garda Síochána as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Agreements (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: A review of the immigration arrangements for non-EEA circus performers, which remain in place pending the outcome of the review, is nearing completion within the Department. Representations from the circus industry were taken into account in carrying out this review. The outcome of the review will determine the next steps, and this will be done in consultation with the circus industry,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ukraine War (8 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Ukrainian nationals are no longer visa required to travel to or return to Ireland. Any beneficiary of Temporary Protection who has specific queries in relation to immigration matters can address them to: UkraineSupportMailbox@justice.ie Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection who are availing of state provided accommodation should contact the Department of Children, Equality, Disability,...

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

Simon Harris: Sure.

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...