Results 3,161-3,180 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (28 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: An application was submitted on 31 March 2005, which is the closing date for applications, and received in my Department on 1 April 2005 seeking permission to remain in the State on the basis of her parentage of an Irish born child under the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005. Applications are being dealt with as expeditiously as possible and, in so far as is possible, in...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (28 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Minister must consider 11 factors under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, together with section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, prohibition of refoulement, when considering whether to deport a person. The safety of returning a person, or refoulement as it is referred to, is fully considered in every case when deciding whether to make a deportation order. This means that a...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (28 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The first main point that must be made is that the acquisition of Irish citizenship through the naturalisation process is a privilege — not a right. The discretionary nature of the naturalisation process is in keeping with international practice. Thus it is not the case that a person who has been resident here or in employment here has after a period of time — or even an extended period...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (28 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to Questions Nos. 164 on Thursday, 3 February 2005, and 265 on Wednesday, 9 March 2005. The person concerned is awaiting deportation following a comprehensive examination of his asylum claim and of his application to remain temporarily in the State. Late representations made regarding his medical condition were considered and were not deemed to...

Written Answers — Wildlife Acts: Wildlife Acts (28 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: With regard to the Deputy's reference to the endorsement of firearm certificates under section 2(d) of the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2000, there is no such provision. However, there is a provision under section 29 of the Wildlife Act 1976 which permits the hunting and killing of exempted wild mammals and birds. The Garda authorities inform me that these figures are not readily available. However,...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (28 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person in question, along with his wife, arrived in the State on 24 December 1997 and made applications for asylum. The wife gave birth the following month, January 1998. They subsequently withdrew their asylum applications and applied for, and were granted, permission to reside in the State on the basis of parentage of the Irish born child. The person in question was recently requested...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (28 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: Unlike the Government's decentralisation programme, three areas from within Garda headquarters are scheduled to move. These areas comprise 203 staff, including 89 members of the Garda Síochána, from the Garda criminal records office, GCRO; the Garda central vetting unit, GCVU; and the information technology and fixed charge processing system, FCPS. The Office of Public Works has identified...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (28 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I understand that applications for staffing and capital grant assistance under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, EOCP, 2000-2006, were submitted by the group to my Department in October 2004 and January 2005 respectively. The EOCP is a seven year development programme which aims to increase the availability and quality of child care to support parents in employment, education and...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (28 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: An application was received in my Department on 30 March 2005 from the person concerned seeking permission to remain in the State on the basis of her parentage of an Irish born child under the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005. The passport from the person concerned was submitted with her application and will be returned to her by registered post shortly. Applications...

Written Answers — Refugee Applications: Refugee Applications (28 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is a fundamental requirement for consideration of applications under the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005, that applicants submit a valid passport or national identity document as proof of their identity. This requirement cannot be waived. I am aware that some applicants are experiencing difficulties in obtaining these documents. Where appropriate, applicants are...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (28 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The lady in question wastransferred temporarily to accommodation at Portobello Harbour due to an outbreak ofchickenpox at Balseskin reception centre. The arrangement was for four weeks which is the usual quarantine period for an outbreak of that disease. She has since returned to the Balseskin centre where she can avail of a wide range of health services on site, including ante-natal care...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (28 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that, at 8.10 a.m. on Sunday, 17 April 2005, the gardaí at Kevin Street Garda station were made aware that a male person lay injured in a specific area within Dublin 8. Gardaí attended the scene immediately and it was preserved. The scene was technically examined at 9.30 a.m. on the same date. The Garda authorities have further informed me that...

Written Answers — Ground Rents: Ground Rents (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The position is that a statutory scheme for the acquisition of the fee simple in dwelling houses is contained in the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents)(No. 2) Act 1978. Part III of that Act provides a special procedure, operated at low cost by the Land Registry, whereby a person may acquire readily and relatively inexpensively the fee simple in their dwelling house.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 384 and 385 together. I understand that an application for capital grant assistance under the Equal Opportunities Child Care Programme, EOCP, 2000-2006 was submitted by the group in question to my Department some time ago. As the Deputy may be aware, each application for funding undergoes a thorough assessment by Area Development Management Limited, ADM, which...

Written Answers — Garda Vetting Procedures: Garda Vetting Procedures (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that police certificates of character are issued solely for the purpose of obtaining a visa from non-national embassies and consulates. These certificates are issued locally by Garda superintendents. In tandem, the Garda central vetting unit, GCVU, carries out criminal record vetting in respect of prospective full-time employees of the Health Service...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: My Department received the visa application to which the Deputy referred on 9 April 2005. In general, applications are dealt with strictly in the order in which they are received. This ensures the fairest possible service to all customers in their dealings with my Department. In exceptional cases, where it can be demonstrated that there are extenuating circumstances, a particular application...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 6 May 2000 and claimed asylum. The person's family arrived at a later date. Their application was refused by the office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and on appeal by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. In accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, the persons concerned were informed, by letter dated 17 January 2002, that the...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: Applications for certificates of naturalisation from the persons to whom the Deputy referred were received in the citizenship section of my Department on 26 October 2004. The average processing time for such applications is currently 24 months. On the basis of the current average processing time, therefore, it is likely that the applications of the individuals concerned will be finalised in...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: Garda youth diversion projects are a community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiative which seeks to divert young persons from becoming involved, or further involved, in anti-social and-or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic responsibility and improve long-term employment prospects. By doing so, the projects also...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Equal Opportunities Child Care Programme, EOCP, 2000-2006 provides grant assistance towards the staffing costs of community based or not-for-profit child care services which have a clear focus on disadvantage and which can demonstrate that they are supporting disadvantaged parents to access employment, education or training. As the Deputy may be aware, the group in question was awarded...