Results 2,421-2,440 of 18,727 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Child Care Services. (2 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: Some people have a brass neck to raise these issues when in those days nothing was done. Since budget day last December, I have already made one significant announcement of over €25 million in additional capital funding and I expect to make another such announcement in the near future. The programme has already created more than 20,000 new child care places and a further 16,000 have been...

Child Care Services. (2 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: Child benefit has increased by 272% since 1997. It has risen in real terms from a minimum of €54 per child per month in 2000——

Child Care Services. (2 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——when this programme started——

Child Care Services. (2 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——to over €141 per child per month this year. This payment, made every month for every child aged under 18 years who is still at school, affords considerable additional financial support to parents above what was available in 1997 and gives all parents options concerning the child care arrangements they consider suitable for their family. It is only fair to emphasise that the EOCP has...

Child Care Services. (2 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: It will continue to do so under the careful stewardship of this Government which has recognised, for the first time, the need to foster the sector and which has provided significant funding, both directly and indirectly, to support that growth. The range of supports available under the EOCP and in the broader range of Government actions to support the child care sector is a testament to its...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (2 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: This matter received detailed consideration, first, during the policy formulation stage of the proposals leading to the Human Rights Commission Act 2000; second, at my meeting with the commission in April, 2004; and third, in the context of my responses, as approved by the Government on 6 July 2004, to the various recommendations put forward by the commission in its report on effectiveness...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (2 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: There is no deportation order in regard to the person in question, nor has a notification issued to the person of a proposal to make a deportation order in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (2 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the number of Garda vehicles — all types — attached to the Clontarf, Coolock, Santry and Raheny stations is as set out in the following table: Station Vehicles Clontarf 7 Coolock 8 Santry 38 Raheny 5 Total 58 I am further informed that the...

Written Answers — Recidivism Rates: Recidivism Rates (2 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: While accurate figures relating to rates of recidivism in the prisoner population are not yet available, the computerisation of prisoner records from 2001 will provide a more detailed view of a prisoner is past committal history going forward. The institute of criminology in University College Dublin, with the co-operation of my Department, is undertaking a major research project on the issue...

Written Answers — Probation and Welfare Service: Probation and Welfare Service (2 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Probation and Welfare Service maintains case records and reports in respect of female offenders leaving custody at the Dóchas Centre, who are subject to Probation and Welfare Service supervision as a condition of temporary release. Reports are provided to the Irish Prison Service and to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on progress, as appropriate, and in the event of...

Written Answers — Court Procedures: Court Procedures (2 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is my responsibility as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and that of my Department, to maintain and enhance community security and equality through the development of a range of policies and high quality services which underpin, inter alia, an effective and balanced approach to crime. That balanced approach, in addition to providing the resources and legislative provisions,...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (2 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: In developing designs for new prison facilities it is the practice to utilise and draw on experience with existing facilities.

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (2 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The CONNECT project was launched in 2000 as part of the Irish Prison Service training and development programme. The funding involved is provided annually by the Exchequer as part of the prisons Vote. Expenditure since 2000 has gone mainly to funding salary and incidental costs incurred in providing vocational training in the prisons and the provision of support to the project by the National...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (2 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the area concerned is actively policed by gardaí from Clontarf Garda station and that extra gardaí have been allocated to community policing. I understand that community policing in the area is a central feature and a core value in policing policy. The unit has lead responsibility for policing in the area and has evolved a partnership...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (2 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The persons in question, along with their then seven year old daughter, arrived in the State in February 1999 and made asylum applications. They had an Irish-born child in December 1999, withdrew their asylum applications and applied for permission to remain on the basis of their parentage of that child. Permission to reside in the State was granted solely on that basis. The persons in...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (2 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: During summer 2004 my Department published a comprehensive review of progress under the equal opportunities child care programme 2000-06 entitled Developing Childcare In Ireland. The document was circulated to all Members of the Oireachtas and was also posted on the Department's website. Much of the information the Deputy is seeking, up to the end of 2003, is included in this report. It is...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (2 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Government legislation programme, which was published on 25 January last, makes provision for the publication of an intoxicating liquor Bill later this year. It will repeal the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2004 together with related licensing provisions in other statutes, about 100 statutes in total, and replace them with updated provisions geared to modern conditions. Subject to the approval...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (3 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my answer to his Parliamentary Question No. 248 of Wednesday, 16 February 2005 on the same subject in which I set out the extensive legislation in place in this jurisdiction to tackle money laundering activities, including through the banking system. The situation remains the same.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (3 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I understand that the circumstances of the person in question have recently changed and that his case is subject to a review with regard to granting further periods of permission to remain in the State. It is expected that this review will be completed shortly.

Written Answers — Child Care Facilities: Child Care Facilities (3 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy may be aware the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, EOCP, provides grant assistance towards the staffing costs of community based, not-for-profit child care services which have a clear focus on disadvantage. Funding under the staffing measure of the EOCP is only made available to help support the staffing costs of those projects which can demonstrate that they are...