Harris welcomes progress on housing strategy for people with disabilities

Posted April 21st, 2011

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow, Simon Harris, today welcomed the Minister for Housing’s confirmation that the draft housing strategy for people with disabilities will be completed before the Dáil summer recess.

Responding to Deputy Harris’ parliamentary question on the issue, Minister for Housing, Willie Penrose, said that the draft housing strategy is at an advanced stage and he intends to complete this work and seek Government endorsement for the strategy before the summer.

Deputy Harris has welcomed this move and said; ‘For far too long, people with disabilities have been overlooked in terms of having a national government housing strategy. I am pleased that in government, we are now determined to rectify this and I look forward to the implementation of this plan so that we can set about how we, as a State, can address the housing needs of people with disabilities.’

Note: Parliamentary Question and Answer below

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the national housing strategy for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

- Simon Harris.

For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 6th April, 2011.

Ref No: 6966/11

REPLY

Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. W. Penrose):

The draft housing strategy for people with a disability sets out a framework for the proposed delivery of housing for people with disabilities through mainstream housing policy. The strategy has been developed in conjunction with a National Advisory Group, chaired by my Department and involving the Department of Health and Children, the HSE, local authorities, organisations representing people with disabilities and other relevant stakeholders, including the National Disability Authority.

The draft housing strategy is at an advanced stage and I intend, with my colleague the Minister of State for Disability, Equality and Mental Health, to complete this work and to seek Government endorsement for the strategy before the Summer.

The strategy has been developed in conjunction with a National Advisory Group, chaired by the Department of Environment and involving the Department of Health and Children, the HSE, local authorities, organisations representing people with disabilities and other relevant stakeholders – including the National Disability Authority.

Harris meets with Irish Rail to discuss Dart and train service in County Wicklow

Posted April 20th, 2011

New Wicklow TD, Fine Gael Deputy Simon Harris met with a representative of Irish Rail in Leinster House this week and raised a number of issues regarding the Dart and rail service in County Wicklow.

Speaking after the meeting, Deputy Harris said, “I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with a representative of Irish Rail and put to him a number of issues regarding the Dart and rail service in County Wicklow. Specifically I raised the need for an additional ticket machine in Greystones Train State, the need for the electronic timetable to be fixed and concerns about accessibility issues at the station.”

“I have been informed that Irish Rail is currently seeking funding from the National Transport Agency for additional ticket machines and that Greystones will be considered. Furthermore, Irish Rail is aware of the problem with the electronic timetable in the station. This problem arose from Greystones Station operating on a different signalling system to other stations but that efforts will be made to resolve this,” said Deputy Harris.

“I was very eager to ensure that there would no cutbacks in terms of both train and Dart service in County Wicklow and I have been assured that service levels will be maintained. Additionally, Irish Rail will look at increasing the length of some of the commuter trains currently experiencing capacity issues. I also raised issues regarding security on trains, the cost of train fares and properly linking the Dart and bus network timetables” stated Deputy Harris.

“I look forward to continuing to keep in touch with Irish Rail and to engaging with them on issues of concern to my constituents throughout County Wicklow,” concluded Deputy Harris.

Harris welcomes Government commitment to protect children from sunbed use

Posted April 20th, 2011

Wicklow Fine Gael TD, Simon Harris, has welcomed the Government’s commitment to introduce legislation on the use of sunbeds by the end of the year.

Speaking following a briefing by the Irish Cancer Society, Deputy Harris said, “I am delighted to lend my support to the Irish Cancer Society’s campaign to control sunbed use and welcome the commitment of the Government to publish legislation to regulate sunbed use by the end of the year. After years of talking about this I am delighted such legislation will be forthcoming.”

“Anecdotally, we’ve all heard of children being brought to use sunbeds before making their first Communion, but we must stop this madness and ensure our laws protect their long term health,” continued Deputy Harris.

“Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Ireland, with over 250 new cases in Wicklow alone during 2009. Sunbeds have been found to be as carcinogenic as tobacco, yet despite this their use continues to be entirely unregulated.”

“Studies suggest that up to half of all cancers are preventable and I am keen to use my position in the Dáil to draw attention to this important issue,” concluded Deputy Harris.

Parliamentary Question: Education and Skills

Posted April 20th, 2011

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria for primary schools
accepting pupils; if he is required to provide a place for pupils once they
have reached a certain age; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Simon Harris.

* For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 20th April, 2011.

Reply
Minister Ruairí Quinn

The compulsory school starting age in a National School is 6 years of age.

The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the
managerial authority of those schools. My Department’s main responsibility is
to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils
seeking places. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place
in the school of their first choice.

It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of schools to implement
an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. In this regard
a board of management may find it necessary to restrict enrolment to children
from a particular area or a particular age group or, occasionally, on the basis
of some other criterion. This selection process and the enrolment policy on
which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in
respect of all applicants.

Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process
where a board of management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the
Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil,
the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the
Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to either the relevant Vocational
Educational Committee or to the Secretary General of my Department.

The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can
assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for
their child. The Board can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board,
National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at
01-8738700.

Parliamentary Question: Finance

Posted April 19th, 2011

To ask the Minister for Finance the procedures and protocols in place to assist struggling mortgage holders to avoid home repossession; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

- Simon Harris.

For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 19th April, 2011.

Reply:
Minister for Finance ( Mr Noonan) 

The Deputy will be aware that the Expert Group on Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt produced two Reports, an Interim Report published in July 2010 and a Final Report published in November 2010.  All of the Expert Group’s recommendations are listed in Chapter 2 of the Final Report. They can be accessed at www.finance.gov.ie . 

Since the publication of the Reports, the Code of Conduct for Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) has been revised by the Central Bank to reflect many of the recommendations of the Expert Group, including key recommendations relating to the introduction by all regulated lenders of a standardised Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP). The most significant changes in the revised CCMA include:

• Lenders are prohibited from moving borrowers in arrears off existing tracker mortgages;
• Borrowers in arrears who co-operate with the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP) are  not charged penalty interest charges;
• Harassment of borrowers through unsolicited communications is outlawed;
• Borrowers in financial difficulties, but not in arrears, are allowed to come under the MARP; and
• When a lender is determining the 12 month period it must wait before applying to the courts to commence legal action, it must exclude any time period during which a borrower is complying with the terms of an alternative repayment arrangement, making an appeal to the internal appeals Board or making a complaint to the Financial Services Ombudsman under the CCMA.

The revised CCMA was published on 6 December 2010 and came into effect on 1 January 2011. The revised CCMA can be accessed at www.centralbank.ie. Lenders are required to comply with the CCMA as a matter of law but have been given a period of six months grace ending on 30 June 2011 to put in place the requisite systems and training of staff necessary to support the implementation of the MARP. In addition, the Central Bank has also written to lenders to issue directions under Section 149 of the Consumer Credit Act 1995 which will mean that lenders cannot impose arrears charges or penalty interest on borrowers who are co-operating with the MARP.

Lenders representing the majority of the market have already indicated their willingness to implement the Expert Group’s proposals for a Deferred Interest Scheme (DIS) or a variation of it. The Lenders that thus far have notified the Central Bank of their intention to implement the recommendation of a DIS, as set out in the final report of the Expert Group, are Allied Irish Banks,  AIB Mortgage Bank, Bank of Ireland, ICS Building Society, EBS, Haven Mortgages, Irish Nationwide Building Society, Permanent TSB, Springboard Mortgages and Start Mortgages. The DIS is to apply to those homeowners unable to pay full interest on their mortgages but able to pay at least 66% and will be based on a full assessment of a borrowers circumstances. While the DIS is voluntary for all lenders, those who have signed up in support of the scheme will be monitored by the Central Bank to ensure compliance.

The Deputy will also be aware of the existing importance of the Mortgage Interest Supplement (MIS) Scheme and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) in assisting consumers who have fallen into arrears or who are experiencing difficulties servicing their mortgage repayments. The MIS Scheme currently supports approximately 18,000 mortgage-holders. The scheme has grown very substantially since 2007 when approximately 4,000 mortgage-holders were MIS recipients. MABS provides a national, free, confidential and independent service operating from 53 offices nationwide. Its resources have been increased in recent times and in 2010 it provided services to approximately 21,000 clients while it also assisted many thousands of citizens through its telephone helpline service.

Harris welcomes funding for remedial works at Arklow Harbour

Posted April 12th, 2011

Wicklow Fine Gael TD, Deputy Simon Harris, has welcomed new funding for remedial works at Arklow Harbour. The grant, for €1,017,344, was announced today (April 12^th) by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

“I am delighted that the Minister has awarded a grant for this important work and I trust the Government will continue to support Arklow Harbour. In these difficult economic times it is promising to see this new Government recognise the vital infrastructural and economic role played by our regional harbours,” said Deputy Harris.

“This funding is broken down as follows:

• Dredging of harbour  €700,000
• Wave mitigation   €300,000
• Retention money on 2010 works €17,344

I have no doubt that these funds will be put to good use for the benefit of Arklow, and as a result will be of benefit to our county as a whole,” concluded Deputy Harris.

Parliamentary Question: Health

Posted April 12th, 2011

To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the implementation of the report Reducing the Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) Steering Group Report in Implementation of SCD Task Force Recommendations (2006) and for a timeframe for such implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

                                                                                           – Simon Harris

 
Reply:
Minister for Health (Dr James Reilly)

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department.  Therefore I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply the necessary information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Parliamentary Questions: Education and Skills

Posted April 12th, 2011

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reconsider the 26 week
rule whereby teachers with experience on temporary contracts who subsequently emigrate for work are considered new entrants on their return to Ireland withconsequent implications for their pay and pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Simon Harris.

For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 12th April, 2011.

Reply:
Minister Ruairí Quinn

The Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004
abolished the maximum age of retirement for new entrants to employment in the
public service from the 1st April 2004. It also raised the minimum pension age
for new entrants to age 65.

In general terms, a new entrant to employment in the public service (including
employment as a teacher) is
a person who enters public service employment for the first time on or after
the 1st  April 2004, (including employment in a temporary or fixed-term
capacity, whether full-time, or part-time), OR,
a person who becomes re-employed in the public service,( including employment
as a teacher) following a break of more than 26 weeks, where that break
occurred at anytime on or after 1 April 2004).

The provisions of this legislation are of general application to public
servants and there are no proposals to make exceptions for any particular
individual or group.

As part of Budget 2011, introduced by the previous Fianna Fail – Green Party
government, a 10% reduction in the pay of new appointees to the public service 
applies from the 1st January 2011 and all new recruits to the entry grades of
the public service will start at the first point of the relevant pay scale
without exception. A person in the situation referred to by the Deputy who had
service prior to the 1st January 2011 is not regarded as a new entrant for this
purpose.

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timetable for the construction of a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow and for details regarding the funding available; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Simon Harris.

St. Catherine’s Special School, Barnacoyle House, Killoughter, Ashford, Co
Wicklow. 

* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 12th April, 2011.

Reply:
Minister Ruairí Quinn

I propose to take questions 153 and 181 together.

The school to which the Deputy refers was authorised to proceed to tender in
February.  Subject to no issues arising, it is anticipated that the project
will proceed to construction in late 2011.

April Newsletter

Posted April 8th, 2011

Dear constituent,
In an effort to keep in touch with you, and update you on my work as a TD I am committing to sending a monthly email newsletter outlining some of my work over the past few weeks and some news on issues for the Dáil.
I hope you find this information useful and, as always, please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance.
Kind Regards,
Simon
SIMON HARRIS TD

Thank you!
Firstly I want to thank the 8,726 people in Wicklow and East Carlow who cast their No. 1 vote for me in the recent general election and the many thousands more who gave me high preference votes. I am hugely honoured to have been elected to represent the people of Wicklow and East Carlow in Dáil Éireann and I am ready to get on with the hard work that is needed to turn this country around.

Council Co-option
I would also like to congratulate Cllr Gráinne McLoughlin, who has been co-opted on to both Greystones Town Council and Wicklow County Council to fill the vacancy left by my election to the Dáil. I know Gráinne will be working hard at local level to represent the people of Greystones, Kilcoole, Newcastle, Delgany and Killadreenen. I look forward to working closely with her and with all our County and Town Councillors throughout County Wicklow.

Contributions in the Dáil
On my first day in the Dáil I was honoured and humbled to nominate Enda Kenny as Taoiseach. I certainly did not envisage my maiden speech being on such an issue but I was delighted to do it and it is something I will never forget.

I also spoke on the Dáil debate on the crisis in Libya. In my contribution I made the point that it was wrong that the international community turned a blind idea to dictators for a long time and viewed them as rogues rather that despots and that all action must be based on protecting Libyan civilians from the brutality of the regime under which they currently live.

I contributed to a debate on the Universal Social Charge. I reminded the House of our commitment in our manifesto and in the Programme for Government to review the Universal Social Charge in the next budget.

Additionally, I have raised a wide variety of issues of national concern and concern to my constituents through Parliamentary Questions to Government Ministers.
In the coming weeks, the new Oireachtas Committees will be set up in Leinster House and I look forward to getting involved in this work.

Prioritising Mental Health
Next week, I will be contributing to a Dáil debate on suicide prevention. It is hugely important that we address this issue and ensure that adequate services are in place to provide help to those who need it.

In preparation for this speech, I met with representatives from Amnesty International, and with a representative from “Suicide or Survive”, a mental health group based in Arklow. Our mental health services have a long way to come, but I am pleased to see this issue being prioritised by the new Government and I intend to keep in regular contact with the stakeholders in this area.

Jobs Initiative
The Government has announced its plans to introduce a range of initiatives aimed at helping businesses and creating jobs. This “Jobs Budget” will be unveiled next month and I will provide further details on it in future email updates. Getting people back to work must and will be a priority for our new Government.

New Department of Children
I am pleased that in an effort to prioritise issues around child protection, the rights of children, etc that the Government is establishing a new Department of Children. I intend to provide you with further details of the work programme for this new Department in my next email update and I look forward to positive developments in the area of child protection.

Sunbeam Home Services
This morning, I visited Sunbeam House in Bray, which provides a range of supports to adults with learning disabilities. I met with the service-users forum and heard their views and concerns on a range of issues relating to disability services in County Wicklow. I will be working hard within the Dáil as an advocate for Sunbeam and other services like it. Disability issues brought me into politics and it is an area I look forward to working on as a TD.

Welcoming Presentation College, Bray to Leinster House
I was delighted to recently meet with 2nd year CSPE students in Leinster House. These students visited the Dail, received a tour of Leinster House and then I met with them and answered a range of questions they put to me. If you know of a school or group that would like to visit Leinster House then please contact my office on 01-6183805.

Supporting Local Events
Since my election, I have had the pleasure of being invited to attend many local events, and to meet with local groups doing fantastic work in our community. On St. Patrick’s Day, I was treated to breakfast with the Greystones Scouts, before attending the parades in Bray and Greystones.

I also attended the Greystones – Naas Rugby Match as a guest of the youth section. It was a fantastic game – not least because of a Greystones win!

Today I dropped into the East Coast FM Wicklow Wide Coffee Morning in Greystones in aid of Cancer Support Centres in Wicklow and the Wicklow Hospice. Well done to all involved in making this event such a huge success.

Contact Me
You can contact me in my Leinster House office by phoning 01-6183805 or by emailing simon.harris@oireachtas.ie.

I am currently moving to a new constituency office, but will have details of its address and contact details in my next update.

If I can help with any issue at all then please get in touch and I or a member of my team will do all that we can to assist.

You can also keep up with my day to day work, both in the Dáil and throughout Wicklow, by following me on Twitter, at www.twitter.ie/SimonHarrisTD.

Parliamentary Questions: Education and Skills

Posted April 6th, 2011

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the work he is doing to ensure
that mental health promotion is a core part of the curriculum and that all
students learn about the subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Simon Harris.

For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 6th April, 2011.

Reply
Minister Ruairí Quinn

The Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme is a mandatory part
of the curriculum in primary schools and in junior cycle since 2003 and is
designed to promote positive mental health. It is supported by comprehensive
teacher guidelines and curriculum support services which provide training and
advice for schools and a resource directory.

Its aim is to foster personal development, health and well being of children,
to help them create and maintain supportive relationships, and develop the
skills and attitudes for responsible citizenship. From the beginning of primary
schooling children learn, in an age-appropriate way, how to identify, explore
and express feelings and emotions, how to communicate with others, to resolve
conflict and to respect difference, the importance of caring for one’s