Results 2,001-2,020 of 2,723 for speaker:Barry Andrews

Search and Rescue Service. (24 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: The existing contract expires on 30 June 2010 but includes a once-off option to extend individual bases flexibly, by different lengths, to a maximum of three years to 30 June 2013. The Government therefore decided to replace the current flight at a significant additional cost of approximately €20 million per annum. Modern helicopters are much more capable than the current aircraft and fly...

Invalid Marriages. (24 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: I am pleased to have an opportunity to address the House on this issue on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. If a marriage performed in Ireland is to be recognised by Irish law, it must be conducted in accordance with the Civil Registration Act 2004. This means, among other things, that the marriage must be performed by a registered solemniser under that Act. Only ordained...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (24 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: I have discussed the proposal to put in place a hotline for missing children that is operational in some EU Member States with members of charitable organisations and non governmental organisations with a view to providing some level of service. I will keep the Deputy informed of developments in this regard.

Written Answers — Early Childhood Education: Early Childhood Education (24 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: I have responsibility for implementation of the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which was introduced in January of this year. The ECCE makes a number of provisions to facilitate children with disabilities and special needs. The upper age limit is waived where children have been assessed as being developmentally delayed or where they have a physical,...

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (24 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: The Adoption Bill, 2009, is designed to give force of law to the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption. The new legislation, which incorporates the provisions of the Hague Convention, is designed to provide a framework to ensure that appropriate procedures have been followed and that all adoptions are effected in the best...

Written Answers — Preschool Services: Preschool Services (24 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: I have responsibility for implementation of the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which was introduced in January of this year. One condition of the scheme is that children must be aged between 3 years and 3 months, and 4 years and 6 months in the September at the start of the pre-school year. My office has interpreted this condition as generously as...

Garda Deployment. (25 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: The Deputy will be aware that it is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to decide on the prioritisation and allocation of resources in the Garda Síochána. The Garda Commissioner has informed me that, at present, there are 116 juvenile liaison officer, JLO, posts approved within the Garda Síochána and 111 of these are filled on a full-time basis. Five of the posts are vacant and...

Garda Deployment. (25 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: It is ironic that it goes back to 1985. What has changed is the overall number of gardaí, which has increased very rapidly. In my opening comments I made reference to the fact that community gardaí also play a significant role in this area and since 2007 their number has increased by 68%. They supplement and support the work of juvenile liaison officers. While we concentrate on the...

Garda Deployment. (25 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: I have a number of draft amendments on my desk to which I am trying to get. It is very active. It has passed Second Stage and it is a matter of deciding what Government amendments will be proposed on Committee Stage. We are working very hard on trying to absorb some of the comments made by Deputies Rabbitte and Charles Flanagan on Second Stage and in particular we are considering the...

Garda Deployment. (25 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: I cannot give that information at present and I will have to come back to the Deputy. I know many junior liaison officers are doing extra courses in places such as Maynooth outside of normal Garda training. I will get the Deputy specific figures and information on what developments have occurred with regard to the commitment made in 2004.

Gangland Killings. (25 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: The Deputy should control himself.

Written Answers — Detention Facilities: Detention Facilities (25 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: Following consideration of the report of the interdepartmental Expert Group on Children Detention Schools, in March 2008 the Government approved the development of new national children detention facilities at Oberstown, Lusk, Co. Dublin. The Office of Public Works has been charged with designing the new facilities and managing the construction stage of the project which will be undertaken in...

Written Answers — Detention Facilities: Detention Facilities (25 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: The position is as set out in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 262 on 10th November, 2009. I have also of course dealt with this matter in previous replies to a number of Parliamentary Questions. The Deputy will be aware that the Government approved proposals in March, 2008 to develop national children detention facilities to be located on the existing State-owned Oberstown campus near...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (25 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Written Answers — Foster Care: Foster Care (25 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (25 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (25 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: I wish to refer the Deputy to my answer earlier today to Question No. 6.

Written Answers — Pre-school Services: Pre-school Services (30 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: I have responsibility for implementation of the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which was introduced in January of this year. The objective of the scheme is to make early learning in a formal setting available to all children in the key developmental year before they commence primary school, with appropriate age related activities and programmes being...

Written Answers — Pre-school Services: Pre-school Services (30 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: I have responsibility for implementation of the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which was introduced in January of this year. The objective of the scheme is to make early learning in a formal setting available to all children in the key developmental year before they commence primary school, with appropriate age related activities and programmes being...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (30 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.