Results 3,021-3,040 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (13 Dec 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 64 together. I do not accept the conclusion of the Drug Policy Action Group paper that the Government and Garda authorities need to completely rethink and liberalise their approach to the illicit drug trade nor do I agree that senior Government officials, judges and Gardaí at the coalface of the drugs problem do not understand the issues. In the first...

Written Answers — Drug Use: Drug Use (13 Dec 2006)

Noel Ahern: The Deputy will appreciate that the matter raised is primarily one for my colleague, the Minister for Transport. I can assure the Deputy, however, that I certainly do not think that driving under the influence of drugs is acceptable nor do I believe that there is a trend towards acceptance of driving while under the influence of drugs among the general public. A report "Driving under the...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (13 Dec 2006)

Noel Ahern: I am aware of the recommendations of the report of the Drug Policy Action Group on "Social care and drug users in Ireland". The recommendations therein are broadly in line with Actions of the National Drugs Strategy, focusing primarily on providing a continuum of care for clients and ensuring that quality standards are achieved in the services provided. As the Deputy will be aware, a...

Written Answers — Travellers Rights: Travellers Rights (13 Dec 2006)

Noel Ahern: Travellers are one of a number of target groups that benefit under the Community Development Programme. While a significant number of the 182 projects currently within the Programme would identify Travellers among beneficiaries of their activities and services, 21 projects specifically focus on providing Traveller support. Training courses, support groups, provision of information, work...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (13 Dec 2006)

Noel Ahern: While I have not had detailed discussions with either the Department of Justice Equality & Law Reform nor the Department of Health & Children on the specific issue of the introduction of a UK style drugs classification system, I do not think that the introduction of such a system would assist efforts to combat the spread of serious drugs such as heroin and cocaine and there are no plans at...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (13 Dec 2006)

Noel Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware my Department administers and delivers a wide range of programmes and measures targeted at social or economic deprivation and its consequences in either rural or urban areas and at community development, both local and national. Funding has been made available or is potentially available, for the specific purposes adverted to by the Deputy under a number of these...

Written Answers — Drug Use: Drug Use (13 Dec 2006)

Noel Ahern: A definitive estimate of the number of cannabis users in Ireland is not available. The first Drug Prevalence Survey 2002/2003 that was carried out among the 15-64 year age group provides the only national evidence available. Of the 4,900 people interviewed for that survey, just over 17% reported some past use of cannabis, with males being almost twice as likely to report such use. Lifetime...

Written Answers — Charities Regulation: Charities Regulation (13 Dec 2006)

Noel Ahern: The General Scheme for the Charities Regulation Bill is available on my Department's website at http://www.pobail.ie/en/ Charities Regulation/HeadsofBill/. The General Scheme provides that the proposed new Regulatory Authority will have the power to encourage, facilitate and monitor compliance with the forthcoming Act. Encouragement and facilitation of compliance may include the provision of...

Written Answers — Drug Use: Drug Use (13 Dec 2006)

Noel Ahern: I welcome the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) annual report for 2006 as it provides us with a contextual framework through which to examine our experience of problem drug use from an overall European perspective. Any finding that drugs are at their cheapest for five years, and are probably cheaper than ever before, serves to emphasise the scale of the...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (13 Dec 2006)

Noel Ahern: The Working Group on Drugs Rehabilitation is nearing the completion of its work and it is expected that their report will be finalised before the end of the year. Arrangements will then be made for its publication. The Group has taken a holistic view of rehabilitation and, while recognising the importance of clients being activated and prepared to fulfil their role in the effort towards...

Written Answers — Suicide Incidence: Suicide Incidence (13 Dec 2006)

Noel Ahern: I am aware of comments of the Irish Association of Suicidology that binge drinking in particular, and illicit drug taking, are factors in the rising rate of suicide among young women. While dealing with suicide is a matter for the Health Services Executive in the first instance, tackling the issue of illicit substance misuse among young people is a key element of the National Drugs Strategy...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (13 Dec 2006)

Noel Ahern: Following on from the evaluation of the confidential anti-drug dealing phone line established by Blanchardstown Local Drugs Task Force with funding provided by my Department, the Steering Group of the project proposed, as one of a number of recommendations, that the campaign be piloted nationwide. The recommendations arising are being considered by the National Drugs Strategy Team and on...

Written Answers — Contaminated Heroin: Contaminated Heroin (13 Dec 2006)

Noel Ahern: I am fully aware of the dangers posed if cheaper and either less pure or more pure heroin is available for sale in Ireland, but, as yet, there is no clear evidence that this is the case. I acknowledge with regret the recent tragic deaths of a number of heroin users in Dublin. However, toxicology reports are still awaited and Garda and HSE investigations are ongoing. No links have yet been...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (13 Dec 2006)

Noel Ahern: I welcome the report 'A Community Drugs Study: Developing Community Indicators for Problem Drug Use' as a contribution to the development of an appropriate set of community indicators that would reflect the changes in communities' experience of drug related issues. The study related to issues raised in 2004 and to services provided in 1996–2002. Further significant investment has been made...

Written Answers — National Drugs Initiative: National Drugs Initiative (13 Dec 2006)

Noel Ahern: I recently received a copy of the report "Harm Reduction Strategies and Young People in Blanchardstown" prepared by the Blanchardstown Local Drug Task Force, which was launched by my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Health & Children, while opening the Blanchardstown Drug Awareness week in November. The report proposes the use of harm reduction messages to young people...

Written Answers — Drug Treatment Programme: Drug Treatment Programme (13 Dec 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 258, 260 and 262 together. In the current year across the 14 Local Drugs Task Force areas, 361 projects, including those under the Emerging Needs Fund, are receiving interim funding totalling €20.2m from my Department. Of these, 191 projects deal with the issues of treatment and rehabilitation, with a total value of over €13m. I have also allocated €5m...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (13 Dec 2006)

Noel Ahern: To date €120m has been allocated from the Dormant Accounts Fund in the period 2003-2006. The level of expenditure and the priorities to be supported from the Dormant Accounts Fund in 2007 are currently under consideration. In this regard, the legislation requires the Minister to consult other appropriate Ministers for the purpose of developing a proposal for submission to Government for...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (13 Dec 2006)

Noel Ahern: The management and maintenance of local authority rented dwellings is the responsibility of the housing authority concerned. Based on returns to my Department, it is estimated that local authorities expended €130.7 million on maintenance and repair of their dwellings in 2005. Data in respect of 2006 is not yet available.

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (13 Dec 2006)

Noel Ahern: Estimates for the 2007 housing programme are set out in the Abridged Estimates Volume, which was recently published. Details in relation to disabled persons, essential repairs and improvement grants will be published as part of the Revised Estimates for the Public Service early in 2007. My Department does not have detailed estimates available of the costs associated with an increase in the...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (14 Dec 2006)

Noel Ahern: Among the priority measures approved by Government for assistance from dormant accounts in 2006 is one providing small-scale equipment grants for youth groups. Applications received for this funding measure, including one received from the organisation in question, are currently being processed and assessed by the relevant Vocational Education Committees under the auspices of the Department...