Results 8,341-8,360 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (17 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: Violence against Women is a multifaceted issue requiring a multifaceted response from a number of Government Departments and Agencies. In the first instance, violence against women is a crime and, as such, must be processed in accordance with the criminal justice system, the policy for which is a responsibility of my Department. My Department also funds awareness raising initiatives which...

Written Answers — Disability Support Services: Disability Support Services (17 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: My Department has funded People with Disabilities in Ireland Ltd. and its predecessor organisation since 1996; in 2005, this funding ran to €1,309,000. People with Disabilities in Ireland Ltd (PwDI) is an independent registered company, with responsibility for its own structure, premises, and organisation. While my Department has no direct role in relation to operational matters such as...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (17 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,762 on Friday, 8 September, 2006, following the attestation of 249 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an...

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (17 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I wish to inform the Deputy that the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 (Section 40(3)) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 337 of 2005) specify the classes of persons entitled to apply to attend family law proceedings for the purposes of drawing up and publishing reports. Three classes of persons are specified, namely mediators, researchers and persons engaged by the Courts Service to produce such...

Written Answers — Garda Communications: Garda Communications (17 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is a matter solely for the management authorities in An Garda Síochána to decide on policy for the provision of e-mail facilities within the organisation. As outlined in my response to Parliamentary Question No 227 of 10th October, I am advised by the Garda authorities that their approach to roll-out of Email services is based on operational requirements with facilities currently...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (17 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table provides the number of proceedings commenced and convictions recorded for the offence of providing intoxicating liquor to a person under 18 years, contrary to section 32, Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988. The figures provided are broken down by Garda Division for the years 2001 to 2005. Proceedings Commenced and Convictions...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (17 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that in the first five weeks of the Weapons Amnesty, up to the 9th October, 2006, a total of 236 firearms and offensive weapons, together with a quantity of ammunition, have been surrendered to Garda Stations throughout the country as follows: Description Number Surrendered Shotguns 40 Rifles 30 Musket 1 Pellet Guns 8 Starting Pistols 10...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (17 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned was granted a C visit visa to enter the State for a period of three months. It now appears that she is seeking an extension of her permission to remain in the State. A wrap-around information sheet accompanies every visa application form. That sheet makes it clear to the applicant that, in general, persons granted visas for particular purposes are not permitted to...

Written Answers — Child Protection: Child Protection (17 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed that the person referred to has complied with the obligations placed on him under the provisions of the Sex Offenders Act, 2001. I am further informed that the Garda authorities are aware of the current whereabouts of the person referred to and are continuing to monitor the situation. Any breach of the criminal law, or threat thereof, will be investigated by the Garda...

Written Answers — Joint Policing Committees: Joint Policing Committees (17 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: Section 36 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides for the establishment of a joint policing committee in each local authority administrative area. The purpose of these committees is to provide a forum where a local authority and the senior Garda officers responsible for the policing of that area, with the participation of Oireachtas members and community interests, can consult, discuss and...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (12 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within Divisions on a priority basis in accordance with the requirements of different areas. These personnel allocations are determined by a number of factors including demographics, crime trends, administrative...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (12 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 217, 229, 234, 237 and 239 of 3 October, 2006.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (12 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: At the outset, I wish to inform the Deputy that the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within Divisions on a priority basis in accordance with the requirements of different areas. These personnel allocations are determined by a number of factors including demographics, crime trends,...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (12 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: On 9 October 2006, my Department wrote to the applicant's legal representatives inviting them to lodge further representations regarding their applications for leave to remain. I expect the case file in this matter to be submitted to me for decision in due course. This decision will be taken having regard to considerations specified in section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended....

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (12 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are completing their consideration of the evaluation report on the project. The Garda authorities expect to have completed their consideration of the report and to make recommendations to me shortly.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (12 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: Further to my reply to Question No. 372 of 27 September 2006 the documentation requested has recently been received. The application for residency is currently under active consideration and it is expected that a final decision in the case will issue shortly.

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (12 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that no complaints have been made during the past three weeks in respect of the area mentioned. I am further informed that during the relevant period there was one incident relating to public disorder in the vicinity of the premises referred to. Late night exemptions, from 11:30 pm to 2:30 am, were granted by the Courts to the licensed premises...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (12 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The overall sanctioned staffing level for the Garda Central Vetting Unit and the associated Garda Central Records Office in Thurles is currently 40 posts, comprising 4 Staff Officers, 29 Clerical Officers, 1 Garda Inspector, 3 Garda Sergeants and 3 Gardaí. All of these posts, with the exception of the latter three, are currently filled and it is proposed to fill the three vacancies...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (12 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: Road traffic legislation is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport. The law pertaining to exhaust systems on vehicles is contained in section 29(1) of the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 1963, as amended. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table shows the number of proceedings commenced and convictions for an...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (12 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: Further to my reply to Question No. 385 of 5 July 2006, the documentation referred to has recently been received. The application for a re-examination of the original decision in this case is currently under consideration and a decision will issue in due course.