Results 6,121-6,140 of 46,260 for speaker:Simon Harris

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Third Level Education (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Senator for raising this important and timely matter. When the Government came into office and I became Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, there were no plans to expand veterinary medicine in Ireland. If officialdom had been asked whether we needed extra veterinary places, the answer would have been no. I found that quite bizarre because...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Third Level Education (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I believe Senator Ahearn also wants to be associated with these remarks. As much as I have great regard for all of my colleagues and for the points they have made, they will understand why I am resisting commenting on any specific application out of respect to the independence of the process. I will just make two points. On a general point with respect to the University of Limerick, we do...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The number of commis chef apprentices registered for each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 to date are as follows: Total 2021 75 2022 102 2023 (end Jan) 0

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The department has not engaged the services of any influencers or media personalities over the time period in question. The information in respect of the state bodies within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by the Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Procurement Contracts (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to awards made both with and without a tender process to management consultancy firms is attached in tabular form.  The information in respect of state bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document, should the Deputy wish to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Procurement Contracts (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: IT Services in my Department are covered under a shared service agreement with the Department of Education. Officials in my Department liaised with colleagues in the Department of Education who provided the below information. CONTRACTS AWARDED TO MICROSOFT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BETWEEN 2018 -2022 NAME € AMOUNT PAID 2018 – 2022 ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department is aware of the continuing need to provide appropriate training and development opportunities with a view to supporting the inclusion of students with additional care needs in education. I believe the Deputy is aware of the current pilot national on-line training programme for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), a major educational initiative, which will enhance the knowledge,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Human trafficking is an exploitive crime that preys on the vulnerable. I have been clear that there is no place for it in our society. We know vulnerable people are trafficked into Ireland for exploitation reasons, including sexual exploitation, forced labour and forced criminality. The Government is fully committed to identifying and supporting victims of this terrible crime. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I can advise the Deputy that Temporary Protection in Ireland applies to the following groups of people who have had to flee Ukraine due to the invasion by Russia: - Ukrainian nationals who were residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022; - Nationals of a third country (other than Ukraine) or a stateless person who would have benefited from international protection (for example: Refugee...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (28 Feb 2023)

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

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I am advised that the relevant Division will correspond directly with the person concerned to confirm that they have not applied for Irish citizenship.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (28 Feb 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 play no role in these independent functions.  I can however assure the Deputy that the Government is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to ensuring that Gardaí have the resources necessary to carry out their vital service, demonstrated by the unprecedented €2.14 billion allocated to An Garda Síochána under Budget 2023. This level of funding will provide a steady pipeline of new Gardaí in the coming year. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Overall, my Department is working to minimise the timeframe for receiving a decision on an international protection application, giving status to those who are entitled to international protection to rebuild their lives here, while also ensuring faster decision making in respect of those who are deemed to be not entitled to international protection. The Government has also committed...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The International Protection Appeals Tribunal was established on 31 December 2016 in accordance with Section 61 of the International Protection Act 2015. The Tribunal is a statutorily independent body and exercises a quasi-judicial function under the Act. The Tribunal consists of a Chairperson, two Deputy Chairpersons, and such number of ordinary members appointed on either a whole-time...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means in the State, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996, as amended. Given their independence, the matter of resource allocation is an operational matter entirely for the Legal Aid...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, International Protection applicants are not required to apply for an employment permit from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to legally obtain employment in the State. Since its introduction in June 2018, under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), the labour market access permission issued by my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (28 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 the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I can however assure the Deputy that the Government is committed...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy, however, 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: An Garda Síochána (28 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: 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 Síochána Act 2005 (as...