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Simon Harris

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Article Genealogy
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Simon Harris
NameSimon Harris
CaptionHarris in 2024
OfficeTaoiseach
Term start9 April 2024
PredecessorLeo Varadkar
Office1Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Term start127 June 2020
Term end19 April 2024
Predecessor1Office established
Successor1Patrick O'Donovan
Office2Minister for Health
Term start211 May 2016
Term end227 June 2020
Predecessor2Leo Varadkar
Successor2Stephen Donnelly
Office3Teachta Dála
Term start3February 2011
Constituency3Wicklow
Predecessor3Dick Roche
Birth date17 October 1986
Birth placeGreystones, County Wicklow, Ireland
PartyFine Gael
SpouseCaoimhe Wade
Alma materDublin City University

Simon Harris. He is an Irish politician who has served as Taoiseach since April 2024, becoming the youngest person to hold the office. A member of Fine Gael, he previously served as Minister for Health and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. He has been a Teachta Dála for the Wicklow constituency since 2011.

Early life and education

He was born in Greystones, County Wicklow, to Mary and Bart Harris. He attended St. David's Holy Faith Secondary School in Greystones and developed an early interest in politics, volunteering for local Fine Gael figures like Billy Timmins and Frances Fitzgerald. He studied journalism and French at Dublin City University but left before completing his degree to pursue a political career. Prior to his election, he worked as a parliamentary assistant to Senator Frances Fitzgerald and served as a councillor on Wicklow County Council.

Political career

He was elected to Wicklow County Council in 2009. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in the 2011 general election, succeeding Dick Roche of Fianna Fáil. He was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works and International Banking in 2014, serving under Minister for Finance Michael Noonan. He played a prominent role in the Marriage Equality referendum campaign in 2015. He was appointed Minister for Health in May 2016 following the formation of the Government of the 32nd Dáil.

Minister for Health

His tenure as Minister for Health from 2016 to 2020 was dominated by significant challenges, including the National Children's Hospital overspend controversy and the planning of the Sláintecare health service reform programme. He oversaw the passage of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 and initiated the legislative process following the repeal of the Eighth Amendment. He also dealt with industrial relations disputes within the Health Service Executive and faced scrutiny over waiting lists and emergency department overcrowding. His term concluded with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister for Further and Higher Education

In June 2020, he was appointed as the inaugural Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in the Government of the 33rd Dáil. His key priorities included addressing the impact of COVID-19 on students, tackling accommodation shortages, and advancing the research agenda. He launched the National Access Plan to widen participation in higher education and oversaw significant funding increases for the research sector. He also introduced measures to reduce the cost of education, including cutting the student contribution charge.

Taoiseach

He was elected leader of Fine Gael in March 2024 following the resignation of Leo Varadkar. He was appointed as Taoiseach by President Michael D. Higgins on 9 April 2024, leading a coalition government comprising Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and the Green Party. His early priorities have included addressing housing and homelessness, supporting small businesses, and reviewing Ireland's migration and asylum policies. He has also emphasized a reset in relations with the Northern Ireland Executive following the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Personal life

He is married to Caoimhe Wade, a cardiac nurse whom he met during the Marriage Equality referendum campaign. The couple have two children and live in Greystones. He has spoken openly about his family's experience with autism, advocating for increased supports and services. His brother is a firefighter with Dublin Fire Brigade.

Category:1986 births Category:Living people Category:Fine Gael politicians Category:Teachtaí Dála Category:Taoisigh Category:People from County Wicklow