Results 1-20 of 43 for "direct provision" speaker:Simon Harris

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality
Chapter 9 - State Pathology Building Project (13 Mar 2014)

Simon Harris: ...granted permission in 2012 compared with a European average of 27%. The former Irish Ombudsman and now the European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, raised concerns about the safety of children living in direct provision, and she noted the very unsuitable conditions in which they were living. Considering direct provision has no legislative basis, can Mr. Purcell provide us with an update on...

An Bille um Bearta Éigeandála ar mhaithe le Leas an Phobail (Covid-19), 2020: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Mar 2020)

Simon Harris: There is no provision for such a right in the Bill because people in direct provision already have the right. The perception, if such exists, that someone living in direct provision is precluded from applying to register as a health professional is entirely mistaken. I am advised that none of our health regulators imposes any restrictions relating to citizenship, asylum status or...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (7 May 2020)

Simon Harris: ...plan, the criteria that I now report against talk about how we "protect" and "shield". The short answer is that I am going to be conscious not to use it, as the Deputy requests. In regard to direct provision, guidance was drawn up by the HPSC and a group was set up specifically on vulnerable users, including those in direct provision. The advice is very clear.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Meeting on Health Issues (11 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: I did not hear the report but I am not surprised to hear that view. Let us consider what direct provision and emergency accommodation for people coming to our country are about. This is about people coming from what can be a highly traumatic environment and fleeing oppression to another country. We can all imagine the trauma of that. We can only begin to imagine the trauma of that for a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 May 2020)

Simon Harris: Responsibility for international protection applicants and the operation of the direct provision services referred to in the question are the responsibility of the Department of Justice and Equality. As part of the whole-of-government direct provision support system the Department of Justice and Equality provides accommodation, food and utilities to those seeking international protection in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Direct Provision System (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: Both my Department and the HSE are committed to protecting the identity and medical confidentiality of direct provision residents, as required by law, and therefore do not give specific information about individuals or locations. Information on cases or outbreaks of any illness (COVID-19 or otherwise) is provided only if there is a public health reason to do so. However, I have asked the...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (7 May 2020)

Simon Harris: ...into healthcare facilities seems to have been a factor. We will produce a paper in relation to the work, which we will share with the Houses and the committee. We will publish it as well. On direct provision, first it is really important, for the benefit of those who sometimes like to talk down the many brilliant people who come to our country from over jurisdictions, that we...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HIQA Remit (19 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: ...under which it has programmes of regulation and monitoring, encompassing older people’s services, disability services, children’s services and health. The responsibility for the administration of direct provision centres comes within the remit of the Department of Justice and Equality. The remit for the regulation of these services is not among the responsibilities assigned...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The Deputy has raised children, residents in nursing homes, direct provision, meat factories and highlighted the inequalities in society-----

Written Answers — Department of Health: Direct Provision System (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: Both my Department and the HSE are committed to protecting the identity and medical confidentiality of direct provision residents, as required by law, and therefore do not give specific information about individuals or locations.  Information on cases or outbreaks of any illness (COVID-19 or otherwise) is provided only if there is a public health reason to do so.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: ...people get. Regarding the Professor Barry letter to which Deputy Smith referred, I will provide a written response to that to ensure accuracy. I am glad Deputy Bríd Smith raised the issue of direct provision because it allows me time to respond to it. However, I need to let Deputy Paul Murphy in as well. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department of Justice...

Covid-19 (Health) - Statements (14 May 2020)

Simon Harris: ...have had, perhaps, a different experience from that of the Deputy, but I will write to her about it. I am happy to engage with the sector on the €35 million scheme. I will write to her about the direct provision letter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (2 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. Asylum seekers living in direct provision must complete and submit a Medical Card application form to the Health Service Executive (HSE) National Medical Card Unit (NMCU) for assessment. Medical Cards are issued to Asylum Seekers where their application is...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (7 May 2020)

Simon Harris: ...additional facilities to support physical distancing measures. I will send the Deputy my note on the issue so as not to take up Deputy Paul Murphy's time. Deputy Smith asked about the issue of direct provision and Cahersiveen. I had a meeting yesterday with the Minister for Justice and Equality, his Department officials, Department of Health officials and the HSE on direct provision....

Back to School, Further and Higher Education and Special Education: Statements (3 Sep 2020)

Simon Harris: ...scheme this year understands the fact the people's income can have changed during the year as a result of Covid-19. I met with SUSI on this recently, and also on making changes for people living in direct provision. Any other announcements about the review, grant limits and so on will be for the budget next month.

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality
Chapter 9 - State Pathology Building Project (13 Mar 2014)

Simon Harris: ...eight months with many spending more than seven years in the system, which is the equivalent of a childhood. In the meantime, we, as taxpayers, paid €62 million in 2012 to private operators for direct provision. The firm behind Mosney received €4.1 million and it received €101 million over the ten years between 2002 and 2012. I welcome a number of initiatives the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Simon Harris: ...right. A universities of sanctuary initiative is run through a number of universities. We have made significant changes to the level of financial support available and made it easier for people in direct provision to qualify for support in higher education. However, I also want to be honest with the Deputy. We have the Dr. Catherine Day report on this issue and we are not where we need...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: ..., private, public and voluntary nursing homes, and the disability and mental health facilities. As we broaden the case definition we intend to expand to more vulnerable groups, including those in direct provision.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (8 Mar 2022)

Simon Harris: ...third level;  - The allocation of €10 million for students with disabilities;  - Ringfenced funding to increase participation in third level for the Travelling Community;  - and removing barriers to people living in direct provision accessing student grants.  My Department will continue to keep existing provision and initiatives under review.  We want to...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (7 May 2020)

Simon Harris: ...for specific figures. To ensure accuracy, I prefer when figures are given out by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, HPSC. The figure I have is that there have been 164 confirmed cases of residents in direct provision and I am happy to share that figure with the Deputy. A range of measures are in place to address any case of Covid-19 if and when it arises, and this includes the...