Results 10,161-10,180 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (25 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 151 of Thursday, 11 May, 2006 (ref: 17743/06), and 326 of Thursday, 6th April, 2006 and the written replies to those Questions. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Recognition of Marriage: Recognition of Marriage (25 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: Information received by my Department suggests that the marriage of the person referred to in the Deputy's question is not valid. Correspondence issued on 17 January 2006 explained that a person may make an application to the courts for a declaration their marriage is valid under Section 29 of the Family Law Act, 1995 which can be arranged through their legal representatives.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (25 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: A letter has recently issued to the legal representative of the person in question extending his permission to remain. On receipt of the letter the person in question should present himself to the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (25 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 10 November, 2001 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 5 January, 2006, that...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (25 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 168 of Thursday, 11 May, 2006 (ref: 17821/06) and the written reply to that Question. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (25 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I wish to inform you that the individual concerned is being offered a transfer to Newlight House, St. Margarets Road, Dublin 11 following receipt of up-to-date correspondence from the Rotunda Hospital in support of her request for transfer. Transfers of this nature, where supported by medical evidence, are arranged on an ongoing basis to ensure that asylum seekers in direct provision have...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (25 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that statistics are not compiled in such a way as to identify the number of provisional licence holders prosecuted and the number convicted for driving unaccompanied. The number of prosecutions and convictions for no driving licence in each of the years since 2000 to date is set out in the following table: Year Charges/Summonses Convictions** ...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (25 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I do not propose to change my plans for a new prison development including a bridge at Spike Island. I do, however, note the concerns raised in relation to heritage aspects which arise in the context of this development. I have been assured that such concerns can be met by sensitive architectural treatment and design. I will ensure that there will be full consultation with the relevant...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (25 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 to 255, inclusive, and 257 together. My Department's decentralisation programme runs from 2005 to 2009 and involves the transfer of over 900 posts from agencies and units under the aegis of my Department to seven locations around the country. To date, in respect of these 900 posts, 251 people have either transferred to the organisations concerned or have...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (25 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: Following the hand-over of the new Station at Carbury/Derrinturn by the Office of Public Works, some necessary works were identified that require attention before the station can be occupied. This matter is being attended to by the Office of Public Works and the contracting builder. When the works are completed the station can be occupied and be fully operational. No decision has been made on...

Written Answers — Prison Medical Service: Prison Medical Service (24 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: Where a prisoner is assessed as having a specific health related problem, steps are taken to provide assistance to address such problems while in prison. All prisoners have access to a range of therapeutic services, including psychiatric and psychology services. Referral to any particular service is on the basis of assessed need. While every effort is made within the resources available to...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (24 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The RAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development) programme targets the most concentrated areas of disadvantage in the State by ensuring that priority attention is given to these areas by Government Departments and State Agencies dealing with disadvantage and local development in the widest sense. The RAPID programme designated 45 areas for priority investment and...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (24 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office on 25 April 2006. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the visa application in question was approved on 22 May 2006.

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (24 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Government Legislation Programme provides for publication of the Sale of Alcohol Bill later this year. This Bill will repeal the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2004, as well as the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 2004, and replace them with provisions more suited to modern conditions. The Bill will have regard to the reform recommendations of the Commission on Liquor Licensing and will update...

Written Answers — Disability Support Service: Disability Support Service (24 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The closing date for submitting applications under Phase II of the Enhancing Disability Services Project Funding for 2007-2008 is 14 July 2006. The appraisal of the project proposals will be undertaken by Pobal on behalf of my Department and it is expected that Pobal will make their recommendations to the Enhancing Disability Services Expert Group by November of this year. I hope to be in a...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (24 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I wish to inform the Deputy that I have requested the Land Registry to contact him directly concerning the current position of the applications in question. I understand that, in circumstances where the completion of an application in a particular case is urgent, the Land Registry will make every reasonable effort to facilitate such requests on receipt of a written explanation as to the...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (24 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation by the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department in August 2005. It has been assigned reference no. 68/3030/05. Officials in Citizenship Section are currently processing applications received in the first quarter of 2004 and, at the present time, there are just over 6,000 applications awaiting...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (24 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that penalty points are not awarded on the roadside. Where a person is issued with a fixed charge notice for a penalty point offence, the notice sets out the amount of the fixed charge and the penalty points applicable to the offence. The person has an option to pay the fixed charge and as part of the payment process completes a declaration that he/she...

Written Answers — Disability Support Service: Disability Support Service (24 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The situation of parents of children with disabilities was considered in the context of the review of the Parental Leave Act 1998 conducted by a Working Group chaired by my Department. The Working Group, which comprised the social partners, relevant Government Departments and the Equality Authority, recommended raising the age of eligibility in respect of a child with a disability to 16 years...

Drug Abuse: Motion (Resumed). (24 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am grateful to Members for enabling me to address this motion this evening. As the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Noel Ahern, noted, the drug problem in Ireland and the way in which we respond to it are extremely important. Ireland is not unique. It is one of many western societies facing the drug problem. However, we are responsible...