Results 5,701-5,720 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: On 15 January 2005, I announced revised arrangements for the processing of applications for permission to remain in the State from the non-national parents of Irish born children born before 1 January 2005. The closing date for receipt of applications was 31 March 2005. Late applications are not being considered and are being returned to the applicants. Of the 17,877 applications received...

Written Answers — Penalty Points System: Penalty Points System (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 522 and 523 together. The development cost of the fixed charge processing system was in the order of €13.5 million. This was composed of the original tender price of just under €9 million and additional works at a cost of €4.5 million. The majority of the expenditure arose in two areas: a technical upgrade required to be carried out to the entire PULSE...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have sought information from the Garda authorities on the detailed issues raised in this question and I will be in contact with the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 525 and 526 together. The two persons, a husband and wife, applied for certificates of naturalisation in May 2003. The applications were deemed to be ineligible as the persons concerned did not have the statutory 60 months reckonable residence at the time of their applications. This decision was communicated to the persons concerned in February 2005. In my...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of each Garda station in the Cork north division as at 15 November 2005 is as set out in the following table. Corresponding figures sourced from the CSO 2002 census of population are also included. Station Population Strength Cobh...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: My Department's total allocation for 2005 for people with disabilities is €10,979,992, divided across three subheads. Subhead F1, status of people with disabilities, has a budget of €2.997 million, of which €2.06 million is given to organisations in the disability sector in support of their work. All these organisations submit audited accounts annually. All organisations are subject to...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: By its very nature, the Internet lends itself to being used for a wide range of criminal activities. These can include illegal pornography, racist or hate materials, financial fraud, intimidation or any other criminal activity carried out via the Internet. Combatting such illegal, harmful and predatory use of the Internet requires a response at national, EU and international levels. The...

Written Answers — Family Carers: Family Carers (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 360 together. The Equality Authority appointed an advisory committee in March, 2004 to consider equality issues for family carers. The committee members represent carers' organisations, Departments with specific responsibilities in the area, NGOs, relevant State bodies and the social partners. The work of the committee has involved providing an...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 376 together. The question of the Irish Human Rights Commission being made accountable to the Houses of the Oireachtas was one of a number of recommendations made by the commission in its report on effectiveness submitted to the Government under section 24 of the Human Rights Commission Acts 2000 and 2001. The Commission also referred to the matter in...

Written Answers — Departmental Inquiries: Departmental Inquiries (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Following a Government decision on 8 November, in accordance with the provisions of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 and as the specified Minister in respect of this commission, I am arranging for the laying before the Dáil and Seanad of a draft of the proposed Government order establishing the commission seeking the approval of the two Houses. Following their approval, the...

Written Answers — Prison Work Schemes: Prison Work Schemes (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Women prisoners in the Dochas Centre are not currently involved in any arrangements with the company referred to in the Deputy's question. I understand that a limited number of women prisoners were voluntarily involved in some assembly activity in connection with the company concerned in the past but that this arrangement ceased some time ago. There is a very limited provision, through...

Written Answers — Disability Support Services: Disability Support Services (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for Comhairle in the first instance, and for my colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my previous reply to Question No. 515 of Tuesday, 8 November 2005, and Questions Nos. 176 to 179 of Thursday, 10 November 2005, in which I clearly stated the reason for refusal for this particular applicant. It is important to state at the outset that marriage to an Irish national does not grant any automatic right to enter or reside in the State solely on that basis. A...

Written Answers — Victim Support: Victim Support (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Funding for services providing victim support is provided through the commission for the support of victims of crime which I established in March 2005 following a review of existing provision for crime victims. The commission's term of office is for three years and its members are: Mr. Jim McHugh, retired assistant commissioner, the Garda Síochána, who is the chairman; Ms Nora Owen, former...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The private provider in question was approved capital grant assistance of €50,790 under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, EOCP, 2000 — 2006, in September 2005. The private provider has been advised of the decision by the child care directorate of my Department. I understand from inquiries I have made with Area Development Management Ltd., which is engaged to administer the EOCP...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications. Applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted. A final...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The position is that the Government legislation programme published on 27 September last makes provision for publication of a Bill to codify the licensing laws in mid-2006. It will repeal the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2004, as well as the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 2004, and replace them with updated provisions more suited to modern conditions. The reform proposals contained in this Bill...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned submitted an application in March 2005 to remain in the State on the basis of being the parent of an Irish born child under the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005 for the processing of applications for permission to remain in the State from the non-national parents of Irish born children born before 1 January 2005. Their application is being processed...

Written Answers — European Arrest Warrant: European Arrest Warrant (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: As Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, acting as the central authority for the European arrest warrant, I have only a limited function in relation to outgoing European arrest warrants which is to ensure their safe transmission to the receiving state and in some cases the transmission of additional information. In this particular case the UK authorities had requested the central...

Written Answers — Firearms Offences: Firearms Offences (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have received a number of communications by and behalf of the person in question. I am currently considering my response to these communications and a reply will issue in due course.