# Simon Harris

Last week

17th September 2023 - 23rd September 2023

# pandemic

'I was very angry at the time': Leo Varadkar responds to claims in Tony Holohan's book

Dr Holohan references remarks made by the Taoiseach which he says upset his wife at the time.

60.2k

154

Updated

Sep 18th 2023, 7:35 PM

# Budget

Minister pushes for expansion of rent tax credit and tweak of eligibility criteria for students

The Minister for Higher Education has highlighted a discrepancy in accessing the rent tax credit for students.

7.1k

Sep 18th 2023, 1:43 PM

# higher ed

Students urged to seek €500 fee subsidy, as only one in four have applied

Those whose household income is between €62,000 and €100,000 can apply.

41.5k

Sep 17th 2023, 2:29 PM

Last month

August 2023

# Elections

Eamon Ryan not concerned about constituency redraws and says Greens in 'good health' ahead of next election

The Minister for Transport said he believes the Electoral Commission “got it right” in trying to adhere to county boundaries in yesterday’s redraw.

14.8k

114

Aug 31st 2023, 4:56 PM

# Constituency Review

‘When does the increase stop?’: Simon Harris says TD numbers shouldn’t increase 'ad nauseam'

‘We owe it to the Irish people to actually have an informed discussion; how many national legislators does Ireland need?’

11.1k

Aug 30th 2023, 6:56 PM

# Interest Rates

'They got away with it for too long': Harris won't thank bankers for upping saving interest rates

Harris said the banks are ‘laggards’ in terms of the slow pace they passed on interest rate hikes to savers.

20.1k

Aug 30th 2023, 5:22 PM

# constituency of death

Dogfight for Wicklow TDs in next general election as constituency becomes 4-seater

Wicklow and Wexford has now been split into three constituencies.

18.7k

Aug 30th 2023, 10:06 AM

# Dig out

Students canvass Dubliners to join the rent-a-room scheme in an attempt to increase bed supply

The scheme was criticised by the Union Of Students in Ireland as a “band-aid” to the accommodation shortage.

21.2k

Aug 29th 2023, 5:52 PM

# CAO offers

Leaving Cert grade inflation needs to be unwound in coming years, Minister says

Grades were artificially bumped up this year and last to maintain fairness between students who completed their exams in different years.

17.0k

Aug 28th 2023, 2:42 PM

THE MORNING LEAD

Landlord letting room by college campus asks students for 20 hours' childminding in lieu of rent

A report by

Muiris O'Cearbhaill

Minister of Higher Education Simon Harris described the arrangement as ‘very unorthodox’.

61.7k

Aug 24th 2023, 12:05 AM

# CAO

Simon Harris says Leaving Cert isn't 'cruel' but there is 'an obsession with the points race'

Leaving Certificate students are to receive their results this Friday.

11.2k

Aug 23rd 2023, 12:28 PM

# back to college

Reduction in college fees and increase in students grants under consideration for Budget

Minister Simon Harris says it is important that all of the levers available to reduce costs for students.

20.5k

Aug 21st 2023, 6:15 AM

THE MORNING LEAD

Students told to pay year's rent of over €8,000 in two cash installments or risk losing tenancy

A report by

Muiris O'Cearbhaill

In the terms and conditions of the tenancy said the tenants must pay €8,340 in cash in two installments.

It is understood that the €41,700 rent bill was paid.

Minister Simon Harris said that the practice was made illegal and encouraged landlords to "obey the laws".

49.9k

Aug 16th 2023, 12:02 AM

# Interest Rates

Harris criticises ‘guff’ over bank delays in passing interest increases on to savers

Minister Simon Harris reiterated his belief that Irish banks have been ‘laggards’ compared with European counterparts.

15.9k

Aug 15th 2023, 3:54 PM

# YOU'RENOTFIRED

Paramedics and GSOC investigators among planned doubling of public sector apprenticeships

Minister Harris said the expansion of public sector apprenticeships is part of a cultural change the government are trying to bring about in Ireland.

10.9k

Aug 15th 2023, 1:38 PM

# Bank Row

Opposition parties call on Govt to help households that are 'victims of profiteering banks'

Sinn Féin has called on the Government to convene a meeting with the Central Bank, and retail banks.

23.5k

126

Updated

Aug 14th 2023, 4:32 PM

This year

2023

# Brexit

Irish government to fund Erasmus places for students in Northern Ireland

As a result of Brexit, UK students lost access to the EU’s Erasmus+ programme from 2021.

10.5k

Jul 27th 2023, 12:42 PM

# child law project

Simon Harris: ‘Tusla saying today that it is in crisis should stop the Government in its tracks’

Responding to reports today documenting issues around safe placements for children in care, the Minister said the next Budget needs to be about child welfare and tackling child poverty.

23.7k

Updated

Jul 17th 2023, 5:04 PM

# Degree

'Historic change' allows students to earn university degree outside the points system

From September, students will be able to enrol in courses in a Further Education institution before progressing to a Higher Education institution to complete their degree.

17.2k

Jul 7th 2023, 11:05 AM

# Higher Education

Harris announces €40 million for third level institutions to improve college campuses

Seven universities, five Technological Universities, two Institutes of Technology and six other colleges are benefitting from the grant.

9.6k

Jun 26th 2023, 7:00 AM

# doctors and nurses

Government moves to ramp up healthcare and vet college places amid staffing crisis

Minister Simon Harris said this could address the yearly ‘scramble’ for college places and give more options to students.

18.5k

Updated

Jun 21st 2023, 7:19 PM

# Fine Gael

Should Varadkar have eye on McEntee vying for his job? 'Absolutely not' says minister

Helen McEntee says she has full confidence in Leo Varadkar.

13.8k

Jun 14th 2023, 5:24 PM

# National Economic Dialogue

Finance Minister wants 'prudent' Budget as Taoiseach seeks threshold for higher tax rate at €50k

Michael McGrath said his “overarching priorities” for the budget include the protection of living standards.

16.7k

Jun 12th 2023, 3:35 PM

# Leo Varadkar

'Definitely not fair': Varadkar rejects claims that his leadership of Fine Gael is in 'drift'

Minister Simon Harris said criticisms of Varadkar’s leadership were “simply an issue that doesn’t arise”.

16.6k

Jun 12th 2023, 12:55 PM

# familicide

Harris says family concerns will be 'considered' in domestic violence report recommendations

The study was carried out independently of the Department of Justice.

10.9k

Updated

May 31st 2023, 12:45 PM

# Back at Cabinet

Helen McEntee returns as Justice Minister this week after six months maternity leave

McEntee gave birth to a boy in December and has been on maternity leave since November.

25.6k

May 30th 2023, 6:00 AM

# homocide reviews

Long-awaited report on familial homicide cases goes to Cabinet today

The report makes recommendations to improve the State’s response to familicide and domestic homicide.

8.4k

May 30th 2023, 12:05 AM

# garda recruitment

Garda recruitment age limit should be reconsidered, says justice minister

The Government hope to recruit 1,000 new gardaí by the end of the year.

30.8k

May 29th 2023, 8:19 PM

# columba mcveigh

Ministers visit Co Monaghan bog where search for remains of Columba McVeigh continues

Columba McVeigh was just 19 when he was murdered and secretly buried by the IRA in 1975.

9.8k

May 29th 2023, 7:00 PM

# tensions

Harris calls for ‘everyone to take a bit of a deep breath’ over rows with coalition over budget

His comments come after Fine Gael ministers of state called for a tax cut of €1,000 for full-time workers earning €52,000.

12.3k

May 29th 2023, 5:36 PM

THE MORNING LEAD

Free speech fears and far-right conspiracies: the culture war over Ireland's hate speech bill

A report by

Stephen McDermott

A chorus of negative reactions to the bill has grown louder in recent weeks.

25.7k

May 29th 2023, 12:05 AM

# parental alienation

Significant recommendation to make children's voices a 'priority' in family justice system

The recommendation suggests that by including the voice of the child it ensures they are “heard and considered”.

3.9k

May 26th 2023, 12:15 PM

# budget 2024

Harris believes tax article did not breach trust in the coalition amid heightening tensions

The Justice Minister said he thinks it was “perfectly appropriate” for the junior Minsters to give their views publicly.

11.1k

May 25th 2023, 10:40 PM

# no jury trial

Special Criminal Court expert review to be published next month

A vote to extend laws that underpins the Special Criminal Court will take place before the summer recess.

5.9k

May 23rd 2023, 6:43 PM

# Cabinet

Jail-time for assaulting Gardaí or ramming Garda vehicles to increase to 12 years

Minister for Justice Simon Harris will today seek Cabinet approval to amend the law.

13.2k

May 23rd 2023, 6:00 AM

# Electricity Bill

Elderly woman forced to use savings for late husband's headstone to pay energy bill, Dáil hears

Sinn Féin TD Sorca Clarke raised the case during Leaders’ Questions this afternoon.

16.5k

May 17th 2023, 1:33 PM

# Hate speech

Harris takes aim at Elon Musk and Donald Trump Jr during defence of Govt's hate speech bill

There have been concerns raised about Section 10 of the proposed legislation by the ICCL.

19.4k

May 5th 2023, 1:20 PM

# Prison Overcrowding

Head of prison officer group says overcrowding is putting staff and prisoners 'at risk'

‘We once again have single cells doubled up, mattresses on floors, prisoner population going through the roof,’ POA leader Tony Power said.

9.6k

Updated

Apr 27th 2023, 1:16 PM

# Public Transport

Gardaí to be based at 'transport hubs' at Dublin's Heuston and Connolly train station

Justice Minister Simon Harris said there will be better coordination between transport providers and the gardaí.

10.8k

Apr 26th 2023, 3:18 PM

# sexual violence

Harris launches guide for third level institutions to end sexual violence and harassment

Institutions will be instructed to record statistics on harassment, assault, and rape and report them to the Higher Education Authority.

3.0k

Apr 26th 2023, 1:15 PM