Results 3,801-3,820 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The visa application referred to by the Deputy was for the stated purposes of enabling a non-EEA national travel to the State to join his wife who is an Irish national. When assessing applications of this type, the visa officer will consider, among other factors, whether the level of salary of the spouse in Ireland would come within the ambit of qualifying for payment from public funds. In...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy may be aware, the community based group in question was awarded a staffing grant of €65,000 in December 2002 and a further €170,000, over two years in April 2004. This brings the total amount of staffing approved for this project under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, EOCP, 2000-2006, to €235,000, over a three year period. This amount of staffing grant...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 22 January 2004. The average processing time for such applications is 24 months. On the basis of the current average processing time, therefore, it is likely that the application of the individual concerned will be finalised in early 2006. I...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Applications of the type referred to by the Deputy are dealt with in chronological order, in fairness to all other applicants, and take approximately 16 months to process. The resources allocated to process such applications are dependent on the prioritised work requirements of the immigration division of my Department at any one time, which is operating against a background of significant...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The following is the position in respect of non-EEA nationals who are legally employed in the State on work permits and who wish to be joined here by their spouses. If the spouses are visa required nationals then the workers in question must have been in the State for a period of 12 months and have the expectation of remaining here for at least a further 12-month period before they can be...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the Irish Prison Service headquarters is scheduled to move to Longford by the first quarter of 2007 and the question of the continued utilisation of the building in Clondalkin where the service is accommodated is being considered by my Department in conjunction with the Office of Public Works.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The selection of Longford as the location for the headquarters of the Irish Prison Service is a key element in the delivery of the Government's decentralisation programme. The building of the new headquarters will commence later this year and it is hoped that it will be completed on schedule with a view to occupation in early 2007. Some 20 officers of the Irish Prison Service based at...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 646 to 649, inclusive, together. I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength — all ranks — of the Garda stations at Lucan, Clondalkin and Ronanstown as at 1 January 2005, 2003, 2001 and 1999 was as set out in the following table: Station...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 650 and 651 together. A single team of counsel was appointed to represent the Garda Commissioner and certain members of the Garda Síochána, namely, Mr. Patrick Marrinan SC; Mr. Michael Durack SC; Ms Tara Burns BL; Mr. Paul Gormley BL; Mr. Eamon Leahy SC; and Ms Nuala Butler SC. A single team of counsel was also appointed to represent the Department-Minister...

Written Answers — Refugee Appeals Tribunal: Refugee Appeals Tribunal (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 652 to 655, inclusive, together. The Refugee Appeals Tribunal is an independent body established under the Refugee Act 1996. The tribunal comprises a chairperson and at present 35 ordinary members appointed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The criteria used in making appointments to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal are set out in the Second...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State on the basis of parentage of an Irish-born child on 16 February 2005. All original documents submitted with his application, other than the birth certificate of the Irish born child, were returned to him by registered post on the same day. Other original documents on file, submitted by the person concerned in support of his...

Written Answers — Dublin-Monaghan Bombings: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am assured that the applicant in question, like all other applicants, is treated in a caring, fair and equitable manner by the Remembrance Commission, which is the body responsible for administering the fund for the victims in this jurisdiction of the conflict in Northern Ireland. I have also been informed that the person in question has been awarded an exceptional payment of €25,000,...

Written Answers — Anti-Social Behaviour: Anti-Social Behaviour (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management is aware of the anti-social behaviour problems at the location referred to by the Deputy. I am also informed that local Garda management held a meeting with the local residents to discuss their concerns and another meeting with the residents and Dublin City Council is due to be held in the near future to further advance the...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The case in question is under consideration and a decision will be made shortly.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The visa application referred to by the Deputy was received in my Department on 18 April 2005. In assessing any visa application various matters will be considered, including whether the applicant will fully honour the conditions of the visa, for example, it is likely that the applicant would overstay the length of time applied for. The visa officer will have regard to information provided...

Written Answers — Community Policing: Community Policing (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I assume that the Deputy is referring to the provisions contained in the Garda Síochána Bill, currently before the House, which provide for the establishment of joint policing committees by local authorities and the Garda Commissioner. The function of the committees will be to serve as a forum for consultations, discussions and recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the local...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (14 Jun 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, or has been granted refugee status here has, after a period...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management is aware of a number of complaints regarding anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of the premises referred to by the Deputy. I understand the complaints relate to loitering by local youths in and around the premises. However, local Garda management is satisfied that the premises concerned is not the only focal point for...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The position is that the correspondence to which the Deputy refers was received in my Department on 1 June 2005. I will consider the views expressed in the correspondence in due course in the context of the drafting of the intoxicating liquor Bill.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I presume the Deputy is referring to applications for residency in the State based on marriage to an Irish national which currently take approximately 16 months to process. Marriage to an Irish national does not grant any automatic right to enter or reside in the State solely on that basis and applications of this type are dealt with in chronological order, in fairness to all other...