Results 3,421-3,440 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Prisons Building Programme: Prisons Building Programme (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: A contract has been signed for the purchase of the site and that plans are being formulated at present regarding the prison development. These will be made available in conjunction with the statutory planning process. In accordance with the Department of Finance regulations, the Prison Service is currently preparing a business case regarding the development for submission to the Government....

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to priority Question No. 9 of today's date.

Written Answers — Refugee Appeals Tribunal: Refugee Appeals Tribunal (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 64 together. As the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, RAT, is a quasi-judicial body, the members of which are statutorily independent in the performance of their functions under the provisions of sections 15 and 16 of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, it is a matter for the tribunal to decide on the nature of the statistical information which it publishes. Some...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I expect to be in a position shortly to bring the scheme of a Judicial Council Bill to Government for approval with a view to publishing the Bill in the first half of this year. The preparation of the scheme of the Bill is at an advanced stage. I am engaged in a number of necessary consultations on the draft scheme at present. The Bill will establish a judicial council with responsibility for...

Written Answers — Claims against Gardaí: Claims against Gardaí (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy in regard to court awards and out of court settlements in actions taken against members of the Garda Síochána in respect of assault, unlawful arrest or other breaches of citizens' rights is set out in the following table. As of 31 December 2003, there were approximately 750 civil actions taken against members of the Garda Síochána on hand. A...

Written Answers — Children Act 2001: Children Act 2001 (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will appreciate that the Children Act 2001 is very complex and comprehensive legislation and, for those reasons, provisions under the Act are being implemented on a phased basis, as was envisaged at the time of enactment. Responsibility for implementing the Children Act 2001 lies with three Departments, the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Education and Science...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The information sought by the Deputy has been requested from the Garda authorities and will be forwarded to him as soon as it becomes available.

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: Since direct provision was introduced, the Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, has provided accommodation for more than 38,000 asylum seekers. The RIA currently operates four main reception centres, with capacity for 731 persons, in the Dublin area and 67 direct provision accommodation centres in 25 counties with capacity for 6,589 persons. In addition, the RIA operates 12 self-catering...

Written Answers — Garda Divisional Structures: Garda Divisional Structures (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that there are currently no plans to alter Garda divisional structures as they relate to north Kildare. The Deputy will, however, be aware that in October 2004 the Government approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on...

Written Answers — Sex Offender Treatment Programme: Sex Offender Treatment Programme (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The report referred to, namely, An Independent Evaluation of the Irish Prison Service Sexual Offender Intervention Programme, was commissioned and funded by my Department. It provides a scientific evaluation of the Irish Prison Service sex offender programme. The report found that the sex offender programme complied with the highest international standards of programme delivery and that the...

Written Answers — Industrial Disputes: Industrial Disputes (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have no intention of renegotiating the proposal for organisational change which has already been arbitrated upon by the Civil Service Arbitration Board. Since I took office in 2002, I have allowed ample space and time for a mutually acceptable negotiated settlement to be reached between the Irish Prison Service and the Prison Officers' Association. Following on the rejection of an earlier...

Written Answers — Security Industry: Security Industry (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The draft voluntary code of practice on the movement of cash in Ireland sets out the agreed principles for major cash movements in this country. The objectives of the code are to encourage the highest standards of operation and to implement integrated end-to-end solutions to create safe, secure and efficient cash handling. The forum that is meeting regularly to develop the code is made up of...

Written Answers — Security Industry: Security Industry (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: On 25 April 2005 I met with the SIPTU general president and SIPTU representatives from a number of the cash in transit companies. I informed them that I wanted to ensure that proper procedures and standards are in place to combat the threat to security employees, their families and the general public. Measures would have to be taken to ensure that the highest standards would be met in cash...

Written Answers — Prisons Building Programme: Prisons Building Programme (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The procedures followed for the selection and purchase of the site at Thornton are the subject of proceedings before the High Court and the Deputy will appreciate that care must be taken to avoid prejudicing those proceedings. Nevertheless, the committee, which recommended purchase of the site at Thornton, gave full consideration to all potential sites brought to its attention, including the...

Written Answers — Maternity Leave Provisions: Maternity Leave Provisions (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: A review of the maternity protection legislation was carried out in 2000 by a working group, chaired by my Department, which comprised the social partners and relevant Departments and agencies. The working group recommended an increase in the maternity leave entitlement, which attracts a payment from the Department of Social and Family Affairs, from 14 weeks to 18 weeks and an increase in the...

Written Answers — Family Law: Family Law (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 188 to 191, inclusive, on 12 May 2005.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 71 together. An implementation plan in respect of the decentralisation of certain asylum and immigration functions was prepared last year and is available on my Department's website. A number of sites in Tipperary town are being considered by the Office of Public Works and the acquisition process is at an advanced stage. Any final agreement will depend...

Written Answers — Garda Systems: Garda Systems (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The fixed charge processing system, FCPS, is the Garda IT system for processing fixed charge road traffic offences including the requirements for the penalty points system. The FCPS is currently operational in the Dublin metropolitan region, Cork city and parts of Louth and Meath. Accordingly, the Garda Síochána exchange information with the following organisations: the Courts Service for...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána as of 12 May 2005 was 12,257, all ranks. It is proposed to induct approximately 1,100 Garda students to the Garda college in 2005, consisting of four intakes of approximately 275 students. The first of these four...

Written Answers — Prison Reports: Prison Reports (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the inspector's comprehensive report on St. Patrick's Institution and I concur entirely with the report's principal finding that, despite the best efforts of many people, there is an urgent need to replace that institution with a modern facility which will have the range and level of services required to meet the needs of young people in custody. That is why I am determined to press...