Results 5,161-5,180 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Forensic Science Laboratory: Forensic Science Laboratory (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: A total of 30 additional posts have been sanctioned for the Forensic Science Laboratory since December 2006, representing an increase of approximately 40% in approved staffing. This substantial extension of the Laboratory's capacity takes into account the findings of the Review referred to by the Deputy as to current demands on the organisation, as well as the need to plan for the...

Written Answers — Judicial Appointments: Judicial Appointments (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am aware of the procedures in place for judicial appointments in the United Kingdom. As the Deputy will be aware, in this jurisdiction the position is that the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board was established pursuant to the Courts and Court Officers Act 1995. Its purpose is to identify persons and inform the Government of the suitability of those persons for judicial office. The...

Written Answers — Probation and Welfare Service: Probation and Welfare Service (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I can inform the Deputy that the budgetary allocation for the Probation Service for each of the past five years is detailed below, in tabular form. The Deputy will note that there is a drop in the funding allocation for the current year. This is due to the fact that funding for Juvenile initiatives (€10.5 M.) is now under the remit of the Irish Youth Justice Service and this funding has...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The detailed allocation of Garda resources, including equipment, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to be decided on the basis of his identified operational needs. I am advised by the Garda authorities that two types of protective body armour are currently in use by Gardaí. Detectives are issued with protective vests that have bullet and stab proof properties. A total of 1,500 of...

Written Answers — Drugs in Prisons: Drugs in Prisons (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Over the past 10 years a wide range of security measures have been put in place aimed at reducing the supply of contraband, including drugs, into our prisons. These measures include: Tighter control and monitoring of prisoner visits in all closed prisons; New visiting arrangements in most closed prisons, with visitors required to be pre-approved by the Governor and required to provide...

Written Answers — Gambling Casinos: Gambling Casinos (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Report referred to by the Deputy — Review of the Gaming and Lotteries Acts 1956-86 — did not treat in detail with the question of the operation of casinos in this jurisdiction, only to the extent that it reaffirmed the position adopted by the Government in June 1996, arising from a report of a Casino Task Force established by the then Minister for Finance, not to give further...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Chief Superintendent appointed to conduct an investigation into the matter concerned has submitted a report to the Garda Commissioner. I am further informed that his report provides a comprehensive review of the actions taken by all parties in relation to the information supplied by the Austrian authorities through Interpol and makes a...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I refer the Deputy to my detailed response to Question No. 22 of 13 December last in which I outlined in detail the statutory provisions in relation to under-age consumption of alcohol. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, I have asked the Government Alcohol Advisory Group to examine the public order aspects of the sale and consumption of alcohol, including issues relating to increased...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Irish Prison Service has embarked on a major capital programme involving the replacement of the four prisons at the Mountjoy campus, Portlaoise Prison, Cork Prison and parts of Limerick Prison. The primary objective of this programme is the modernisation of the prison estate, a key component of which will be the provision of in-cell sanitation as a key part of each of these new building...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 477 together. I refer the Deputies to my answer to Parliamentary Question number 224 of 31 January 2008. The position remains the same.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: At the time of its enactment, the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 represented a very substantial modernisation of the law as it then stood. The Act has operated very satisfactorily and I have no plans for a fundamental review of its provisions. However, as one would expect in an area of law such as this, it has been necessary to amend it on several occasions since its enactment. I...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the Garda Dog Unit, which operates nationwide although based in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, has twenty-eight dogs broken down into the following specialist categories: Category Number General Purpose 15 Drugs and Firearms 6 Explosives 4 Tactical Search 1 Victim Recovery 2 As part of the Unit above, a pilot scheme is already in place in...

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 183 together. Education in prisons is delivered by way of partnership between the Irish Prison Service and a range of educational agencies from the community. Vocational Education Committees (VECs) and Public Library Services make the largest contribution to, and are the mainstay of, the Prison Education Service. The Department of Education and...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Ireland was in the first group of countries to sign, subject to ratification, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities when it opened for signature on 30 March, 2007. A high-level, cross-departmental implementation group was established in 2007 to advise on any changes to the Government's National Disability Strategy that may be required to enable the State ratify the...

Written Answers — Cultural Events: Cultural Events (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am not aware of any particular demand from migrant groups for the holding of an event such as that suggested by the Deputy. A number of events, stressing the cultural heritage of various migrant groups are currently held both at a national and local level. Such events allow communities to learn about each other's backgrounds and cultures. Integration, however, implies that new cultures and...

Written Answers — Prisoner Escapes: Prisoner Escapes (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that the statistics as requested by the Deputy for the last 10 years are as follows: Year Number of Escapes Number of Absconds 1998 8 93 1999 14 184 2000 8 123 2001 13 95 2002 11 121 2003 12 70 2004 7 66 2005 9 81 2006 6 90 2007 7 136 The compilation of statistics relating to all offences for which prisoners have...

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Literacy work has been a strong element of the Prison Education curriculum since the early 1980's. The literacy curriculum concentrates on the needs of the individual and respects the adult status of the student, his/her prior knowledge, skills and life experience. It is also concerned with improving self-esteem and building confidence. During the academic year 2007/08, the Department of...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy will acknowledge that whereas the 2006/2007 Annual Report of the Irish Prison Service Chaplains contains certain criticisms of the prison system it also rightly recognises the significant progress that is being made in improving the system. The Report highlights and welcomes some of the major developments which have taken place in the period covered by the Report. In particular,...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government's twin policies of direct provision and dispersal. The RIA advise me that they are satisfied with the current quality of accommodation provided to asylum seekers and that they operate a robust system of inspection (both internal and independent) which identify...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person in question was granted permission to reside in the State until 2018 and is exempt from the requirement to hold a work permit. The person in question was notified by letter recently.