Results 5,901-5,920 of 46,260 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (22 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The assessment of eligibility under the Free Fees Initiative (FFI) in individual cases is a matter for each institution to determine within the terms of the scheme and it is not possible for my Department to advise individual students on eligibility. It is therefore necessary for students to contact the institution attended for guidance on the fees applicable to a course of study appropriate...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (22 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: Under the Further Education and Training Act (2013), SOLAS has statutory responsibility for planning, funding, and co-ordinating Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland. My officials referred your query to SOLAS and due to the provisions outlined in GDPR a response on this individual matter was issued to the apprentice on March 21st 2023.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Health Services Staff (22 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: Significant engagement is ongoing between my Department, and the Department of Health to develop a joined-up approach to meet system level demand across the health sector. My Department does not place a quota on the number of places available on programmes therapy disciplines such as; speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychology, that is decided by the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Sector Pensions (22 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: As noted in my previous response, a business case has now been prepared to support access to the single public service pension scheme for those researchers who are not currently able to join the scheme. This business case, which considers the costs as well as the benefits of the proposal, is currently under review.It is not possible to provide a definitive timeline for the completion of this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Civil Service (22 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service, requires that all professional and technical staff recruited into my Department have the necessary qualifications and experience for the posts concerned and these are specified for individual competitions. In addition, many of the administrative staff in my Department hold qualifications across QQI levels including degrees,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Civil Service (22 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: It is the policy of my Department to provide continuous learning and development opportunities for all staff of the Department. These opportunities range from "on the job" training to attendance at training courses, conferences, internal talks and to participation in formal education. As well as promoting performance and productivity gains, investment in training and development has the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (22 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Irish Prison Service, however, the 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: Naturalisation Applications (22 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 212, 213 and 214 together. The Immigration Service of my Department currently has 205 spouse of an Irish national applications on hand at various stages of processing. A non-EEA national spouse of an Irish national who intends to enter and reside in the State long term may apply for a pre-clearance permission prior to their arrival. This allows them to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (22 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: As previously advised to the Deputy on the 18 January 2023,  my Department has no record of having received an immigration application or any other documentation on behalf of the person referred to by the Deputy, based on the details supplied. The person may wish to check with An Post or any alternative delivery service used in relation to the delivery of their documentation. If...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (22 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I can advise the Deputy that the processing time for a travel document is currently 22 weeks, on receipt of a fully completed application. The person referred to in the Deputy's query was issued a travel document which is valid until the 4 February 2024. They made a subsequent application for their child, which was incomplete. As a result the application was returned. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (22 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I can confirm that Citizenship Division of my Department has extended the deadline for a further 28 days in order for this applicant to collate the information required to support their application for naturalisation. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities.  Unfortunately, this information was not received in time, however, I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (22 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: In order to work in Ireland a person from outside the European Economic Area is required to make an application to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for a work permit, and then make a second application to my Department for an immigration permission, including a visa, where applicable.  The employment permit system is administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I understand the Deputy is referring to Parliamentary Questions No. 490 of 28 February 2023, which asked for 'the number of gardaí by rank attached to a district community response team within the DMR as of 20 February 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter.' As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Mar 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 the investigation of crime. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff, under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions. To be of assistance I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Civil Service (22 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department is committed to building staff skills and capability by ensuring that a wide range of learning and development (L&D) opportunities, aligned to the Department's strategic needs, are available to staff, as appropriate. As the Deputy will appreciate, the nature and extent of training for staff of my Department in the years 2019 to 2021 has been impacted by significant...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Opt-In Regulation (EU) 2021/2303: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Cathaoirleach and committee members for having me here today. I know that later my officials will brief the committee on their work at EU level on child sex abuse. I am very pleased to see the committee's interest. I will be engaging with the European Commissioner on this matter on Thursday. Ireland is very keen to play a leading and constructive role. I look forward to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Opt-In Regulation (EU) 2021/2303: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank my colleague, Senator Ward, for his comments and support. He has summed up my view that we can only gain from participation in this. We are a small country at the heart of Europe but on the geographic periphery. We can only benefit from an exchange of information and fundamentally that is at the heart of what this agency intends to do, namely, share information, best practice and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Opt-In Regulation (EU) 2021/2303: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I do not want to avoid any issue and I certainly take seriously what the Deputy says. I would fundamentally reject with every fibre of my being that the position of the European Union in relation to migration - and this country being a member of the EU I am not talking about Europe as something separate and disconnected from us - is in any way shape or form aligned with the policy adopted by...