Results 1,241-1,260 of 45,281 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: I smiled supportively there because definitely Cara does not need the Deputy or me to speak for her.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: She has been very clear and been able to speak to me directly, and I have appreciated those engagements, blunt and frank as they have been. She is an incredible young woman. What I would say directly to Jaden's mum Ciara - I would be very happy to engage with Deputy McDonald further on this - is that we have a pathway now to make significant progress on assessments of needs. It is not just...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue, an issue that I know is close to all our hearts and indeed all our priorities. I note the Sinn Féin Private Members' motion on the matter this week, which applies an appropriate degree of focus to this very important issue. We have taken a number of steps in recent weeks alone to try to make significant progress in the lives of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Reviews (15 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: The Department of the Taoiseach’s purpose is to help the Taoiseach and the Government to ensure a sustainable economy and a successful society, to pursue Ireland’s interests abroad, to implement the Government’s Programme and to build a better future for Ireland and all her citizens. The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only body under the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Public Inquiries (15 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: A comprehensive evaluation of how the country managed COVID-19 will provide an opportunity to learn lessons from our experiences in dealing with a pandemic. It will include a review of the whole-of-government response to the pandemic and how we might do better and be in a stronger position if another pandemic or other similar type event were to occur. It will include a consideration of the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff (15 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: The business unit in the Department of the Taoiseach whose function specifically relates to communications is the Government Information Service (GIS). The staff assigned to GIS come under the management of the Assistant Secretary, Corporate Services Division, while respecting the role of the Government Press Secretary and the Deputy Government Press Secretaries in day-to-day management of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Advertising (15 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy is below. Campaign Purpose Frequency/duration Cost Agencies involved 1916 Easter Sunday Commemoration event 2024 Public information and awareness. One-off print advertising €6,447 PHD Media Nominations of persons by the Government to the Office of the President of the Court of Appeal ...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Official Engagements (15 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: Members of the media have not been part of the Taoiseach’s delegation for international events and engagements during the lifetime of the current Government. The question of costs therefore does not arise. The Department of the Taoiseach works closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland’s overseas Missions and with the authorities of receiving countries and...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Reports (15 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: The Report of the Expert Group on Conveyancing and Probate was approved by Government on 16th July last. The recommendations in the report aim to make conveyancing and probate more efficient for the consumer. The Government also approved the establishment of an Implementation Group, tasked with beginning the implementation of short-term recommendations, as well as developing a detailed...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: I do not know where to start there other than to say I hear Deputy Healy-Rae's passion for the people of Kerry, one that we share here. There are a number of things we have done in the budget that I know will make a real and meaningful difference to people in County Kerry. I can list a number of projects we have worked on, many of which the Deputy has been at the openings of, whether it is...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: Do not shout at me; you had a good run.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: I am doing my best. On top of that-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: I am not sure the Deputy wants to hear my answer.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: We are up to seven or eight issues. In the limited time available to me, I will do my best to help the Deputy. First, the challenges he outlined have nothing whatsoever to do with immigration, including the shortage of GPs and the like. That does not stand up to scrutiny. The same is true of the issues in the hospitality sector and the like. In fact, many parts of the hospitality sector...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: Sorry, Deputy, the way this works is you ask seven questions in one and then I try to answer them. In the budget, we did our best to respond to and support those businesses. I know how important tourism and hospitality are to Killarney and County Kerry. Even as recently as today, the Cabinet considered the detail of the €170 million power up scheme. Under this scheme, all retail...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: In respect of Donegal County Council and the specific issue the Deputy raised, which has just come into the public domain, I will ask the Minister to revert to him and to engage with the local authority. I take the point about not wishing to see any further slippage and the importance of adhering to timelines, and I will certainly keep a very close eye on that. I think we have a bit of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Pringle for raising this matter. Yes, I do acknowledge that I hear the frustrations of your constituents as articulated by you. You have made specific reference to claims or information in respect of Donegal County Council which I have yet to see. I will certainly ask the Minister for housing to pursue them with the local authority and to revert to you directly. I would...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: Tell me which of the payments you do not want, please, and let me know. Any other Opposition parties can email me at simon.harris@oireachtas.ie and let me know me what payments they do not want. I would really like to hear from them in relation to that. I stand by every single decision we made in the budget last week. This was a budget that did a number of things. It provided a...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: What I say to them is this Government is delivering a record number of new schools and new school extensions. The Department of Education has a record budget for capital. Throughout the country people can see new schools being built. I will ask the Minister for Education to engage directly with Deputy O'Callaghan on the specific Gaelcholáiste he referenced in his constituency. It...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2024)

Simon Harris: Excuse me. Deputy O'Callaghan does not need any help. I listened to them talk on the radio about the benefits of the pouches. The school principals have seen a big transformation. The schools in Northern Ireland have benefited from such a scheme as well.