Results 6,101-6,120 of 46,260 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (2 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The person referred to by the Deputy is registered on a Stamp 3 immigration permission until 13 November 2023. It is open to the person concerned to apply for a change of immigration status if they meet the criteria for doing so. Further information on the criteria for changing immigration permission, including instructions on how to change permission are available on the Immigration...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (2 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The person referred to by the Deputy has no valid immigration permission to remain in the State, as their previous immigration permission expired over 6 years ago.  It is important that persons keep their immigration permission up to date if they wish to continue to reside in the State. Where a person remains resident in the State without an immigration permission, I encourage them to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: Springboard+ is a targeted initiative, which is used to provide funding for higher education courses aimed at meeting the need for in-demand skills in the economy and supporting jobseekers to return to employment.   Unemployed people are eligible to participate on a part-time Springboard+ course provided they have a previous history of employment, are unemployed, are actively seeking...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (1 Mar 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. Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and the level of tuition fee payable by students is a matter for the relevant institution to determine. This...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Capital Expenditure Programme (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department is supporting a number of capital projects in Westmeath across both the Further and Higher sectors.  At higher level, this supports includes a new STEM Building for the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) – Athlone Campus which will consist of science labs, administration space and ancillary space.  The project forms part of Bundle 1 of the Higher...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I can advise the Deputy that there are in place pre-existing stakeholder groups established to facilitate cooperation in this area. The Department of Justice, along with the Garda National Immigration Bureau, are members of the National Air Transport Facilitation Committee (NATFaC), including the NATFaC sub-group on immigration. The NATFaC is chaired by the Department of Transport. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (1 Mar 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: Immigration Policy (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 to 145, inclusive, together. As the Deputy is aware, I obtained approval from the Government to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The closure of the Programme will not affect existing projects or individuals already approved under the programme. My Department will continue to monitor...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: Seeking protection is a human right and when someone asks for protection at the border of a country, that country’s authorities must examine that application. Ireland, as a party to the Geneva Convention, must also meet this obligation. Each application for international protection is examined in detail on its individual merits, taking all factors into account. Information is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The standard fee of €300 payable by an applicant is designed to reflect the cost involved in processing registrations. The Registration Office of my Department also provides an online renewals portal that speeds up the renewal process and a customer service team that is available to support customers all of which are provided to enhance our customers experience. The cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The fee for the replacement of a lost or stolen Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card is €300. If a person loses their IRP card or if it is stolen, they should report it to An Garda Síochána immediately. Check www.garda.ie to find a local station. If a person is abroad and loses their IRP card or if it is stolen, they should report it to the local police.  A copy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I understand the Deputy's query concerns Immigration registration in particular.  The Immigration Services Division of my Department including the Registration Office in Burgh Quay is resourced to meet customer requirements. There are currently 33 staff members attached to the Registration Office processing first time registrations and registration renewals. Overtime is also provided...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2023 of over €2 billion.This unprecedented amount will fund the planned recruitment of up to 1,000 new Garda recruits as well as over 400 Garda staff. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 153 together. 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 Garda business, including responsibility for the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. The Commissioner is also responsible under Section 33 of the Act for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 Mar 2023)

Simon Harris: I have requested an update from the Garda authorities on the crime prevention resources in Newbridge, Co Kildare and I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Capital Expenditure Programme (1 Mar 2023)

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

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Industrial Relations (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Senators Hoey and Gavan, and Senator Black in her absence, for raising this important issue. I genuinely appreciate the opportunity it gives me to update them, the Seanad and, most importantly, the tutors, on the matters the Senators have raised. As we all know, more than 3,300 adult education tutors are employed across our 16 education and training boards, ETBs. I agree they do...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Industrial Relations (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I would like to bring this to a conclusion within the coming weeks. I acknowledge the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform is engaging fully and intensively with my officials. Indeed, I am engaging with the Minister in that Department on this matter. It is appropriate that engagement takes place. We are seeking to move to a different scenario as...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: An Garda Síochána (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Ahearn for raising this matter and for taking me to Kickham Barracks in Clonmel on a number of occasions to see the significant progress being made on the site, which in no small part is thanks to his work and advocacy. It was brilliant to see the plaza site and superb to be able to say that Kickham Barracks will be home to a new third level campus. It is one of the first...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: An Garda Síochána (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I understand the Senator's frustration on behalf of his constituents and the people of Clonmel. There has been some progress made. Planning permission has been in place since 2021 to build a Garda station in Clonmel. When this Government was formed and our party came to office this was identified as a priority. It has been on the list of projects that will be funded. This planning...