Results 13,641-13,660 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (18 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the recent contract for the supply and fit of the Garda uniform did not include the provision for a tracking system or a requirement for the disposal of used uniforms. I have been further informed that there is already a contract in place for the disposal of used uniforms and that the management of the tracking of these used uniforms for...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (18 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I established the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime in March 2005 with a remit to devise an appropriate support framework for victims of crime into the future and disburse funding for victim support measures. The commission's term of office is for three years and its members are Mr. Jim Mc Hugh, retired assistant commissioner —chairman, Ms Nora Owen, former Minister for...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (18 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Glanmire Garda station as at 14 October 2005 was 17, all ranks. The personnel strength of Glanmire Garda station as at 1 January 1998 was 14, all ranks. This represents an increase of three, or 21%, in the number of personnel...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (18 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware there are plans to build a new Garda station in Glanmire and to this end the Office of Public Works has been asked to secure a suitable site. However, as with any new station, construction depends on a number of factors, including the availability of financial and other resources and priorities within the Garda building programme. I assure the Deputy that the...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (18 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management is constantly liaising with community groups to ensure that matters of concern, in particular anti-social behaviour, are appropriately addressed. I am assured by the Garda authorities that any breaches of the criminal law detected by gardaí are followed by swift action in dealing with offenders. I understand that the flat...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (18 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I assume that the Deputy is requesting the total number of visas issued to Nigerian nationals over the past two years. Under a scheme known as delegated sanction, the Department of Foreign Affairs issues the vast majority of visas without reference to my Department. These visas fall into a limited number of categories and in general are cases where the application is straightforward and there...

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (18 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed that the Garda Síochána Complaints Board when recording complaints received categorises such complaints under the headings provided for in the fourth schedule of the Garda Síochána (Complaints) Act 1986. These are abuse of authority; discourtesy; neglect of duty; falsehood or prevarication; corrupt or improper practice; misuse of money or property; intoxication;...

Written Answers — Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence (18 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that the national crime council's findings in respect of domestic abuse are being studied in my Department. As the Deputy will be aware, however, responsibility for the funding of health and welfare services to victims of domestic violence, whether male or female, is a matter for the Department of Health and Children. The provision of emergency accommodation, including...

Written Answers — Equality Legislation: Equality Legislation (18 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I do not consider it necessary or appropriate to extend the scope of the Equal Status Act 2000 to ensure protection against discrimination by public authorities. The Government performs its functions subject to the Constitution including Article 40.1 which states that all citizens shall, as human persons, be held equal before the law. By virtue of section 3 of the European Convention on Human...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (18 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: An application for permission to remain in the State based on marriage to an Irish national was received from the person concerned in July 2004. It should be noted that marriage to an Irish national does not confer an automatic right of residence in the State. Applications of this type are dealt with in chronological order and currently take 16 to 18 months to process.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (18 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person in question, as a non EEA national, is subject to the immigration laws of the State despite being the spouse of an Irish citizen. I understand she applied for a visa for the stated purpose of a visit to the State and that a visit visa was approved. A visit visa permits the holder to travel to the State and, subject to the discretion of an immigration officer, to remain in the State...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (18 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: Applications for certificates of naturalisation from the persons referred to by the Deputy were received in the citizenship section of my Department on 30 April 2004. The average processing time for such applications is 24 months and it is likely, therefore, that the applications will be finalised in or around April 2006. I will inform both the applicants and the Deputy when a decision has...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (18 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: CCTV systems installed for the purposes of crime prevention and as aids to policing, and which cover areas to which the public routinely have access, such as town centres, fall into two distinct categories: Garda CCTV systems and community-based CCTV systems. Garda CCTV and community-based CCTV systems are funded directly from a provision within the Garda Vote. Finance for Garda CCTV systems...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (18 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware the term "pre-school" or "crèche" describes a wide range of services, only some of which would be in receipt of funding under the equal opportunities child care programme, EOCP, 2000-2006, for which my Department has responsibility. It is not possible, therefore, for me to give a comprehensive response to this question. Both the Department of Health and Children...

Written Answers — Solicitor Complaints Procedures: Solicitor Complaints Procedures (18 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 655 and 663 together. As regards allegations that some solicitors have double charged in respect of applications to the Residential Institutions Redress Board, I wish to put on record my abhorrence of any such double charging. I understand that the Law Society has put in place special additional measures, including a helpline, to facilitate the making of...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (18 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am very much aware of the dangers posed by the use of illegal fireworks and of the distress they cause to people, particularly at this time of year. Consequently, last February I published a fireworks policy consultation document and initiated a process of consultation with a view to bringing forward proposals for amending and strengthening the provisions in the Explosives Act 1875 which...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (18 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: Some minor security works are under way at present aimed mainly at securing the property and preventing unauthorised access onto the site. I can also confirm that the removal of three trees near the house which was carried out for safety reasons did not require a tree felling licence and that no breaches of the planning laws or regulations have occurred arising from the various works carried...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (18 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the specific statistics sought by the Deputy for the period in question are not available. However, I can inform her that 211,928 speeding offences were detected in 2004. These figures are provisional and liable to change. It is envisaged that by the completion of the period of the road safety strategy 2004 to 2006, at least 50% of the overall...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (18 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following tables show the indictable offences, by group, for the Garda districts of Bray, which includes the Greystones area; Gorey, which includes the Arklow area; Wicklow and Baltinglass, which includes the Blessington area, for the years 1997 to 1998. In interpreting these figures, account has to be taken of the introduction of the new PULSE...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (18 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: An application for capital grant assistance under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006, was submitted by this group to my Department some time ago. The capital grant application was forwarded to Area Development Management Limited, which is engaged by my Department to carry out detailed assessments of all EOCP grant applications. Each application undergoes a thorough...