Results 5,961-5,980 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: My Department is working on detailed proposals to transpose the EU Directive concerned and to consolidate all existing family leave legislation in one Act. These proposals are being prepared in consultation with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, which currently has responsibility for carer's leave. I will bring my proposals to Government once the necessary preparatory work...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I would refer the Deputy to the amendments made to equality legislation in the recently-enacted Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011. While equality legislation is kept under continuous review, I have no plans currently for additional technical amendments to this legislation of the type made in the 2011 Miscellaneous Provisions Act. The amalgamation of the Human Rights Commission...

Written Answers — Migrant Integration Policy: Migrant Integration Policy (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The functions of the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration in my Department include leading and coordinating work interdepartmentally. To that end, a cross-departmental groups exists and will meet as and when required. I will decide on the future of the Ministerial Council on Migrant Integration shortly.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in April, 2010. I can inform the Deputy that the application is at an advanced stage of processing and will be submitted to me for decision shortly. The granting of Irish...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: On the 5 December I announced plans, prepared by the Commissioner under the draft policing plan for 2012 for the closure of 31 Garda stations throughout the country, including the Garda Station referred to by the Deputy, and for a reduction in the public opening hours of 10 Garda stations in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. In making his recommendations, the Garda Commissioner reviewed all...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that following an investigation of an incident, a person was arrested, charged with assault and convicted following a plea of guilty. The court ordered compensation to be paid to the injured party, and I understand this was done. I am also informed that subsequently civil proceedings instituted by the injured party were settled before coming to court....

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: Each year the Garda Commissioner prepares a Policing plan which must be submitted to me for approval and any plans the Commissioner has in relation to the closure of Garda Stations must be detailed in that annual policing plan. As the Deputy is aware, the 2012 policing plan provides for the closure of 31 Garda stations throughout the country and the formal closure of a further eight...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Defence property portfolio is kept under review to ensure the most effective use of military resources having regard to the roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces. The property referred to is surplus to military requirements and has been earmarked for disposal. The Chief State Solicitors Office has been instructed by my Department to prepare the necessary documentation for...

Written Answers — Legal Advice: Legal Advice (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The position is that I have sought legal advice from the Attorney General in respect of a number of matters that arise in the context of considering the issue raised by the Deputy and as soon as a response is received to these I will consider the matter further.

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 343 together. In my role as Minister for Defence I have not engaged the services of any ministerial advisors. I have however engaged the services of a personal assistant who assists me in constituency matters. The annual salary attached to this post is €56,060 which is in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines concerning ministerial...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 346 together. Ireland is currently contributing 529 Defence Forces personnel to 11 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement below. The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed, are the United Nations Interim Force in...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Facilities: Defence Forces Facilities (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Department is engaged in an ongoing capital building programme designed to modernise and enhance the living, training, operational and accommodation facilities available to members of the Defence Forces. The programme focuses mainly on infrastructural projects comprising the construction of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing buildings. The gross capital provision for the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Training: Defence Forces Training (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Government White Paper on Defence of 2000 set out as a fundamental objective the development of an affordable and sustainable conventional Defence Forces, with an appropriate investment in training and equipment necessary to carry out all assigned roles. Since the publication of the White Paper and subsequent Strategy Statements, the Defence Forces have undertaken a continuous...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The following table outlines the number of vacancies in the Permanent Defence Force by rank. The number of vacancies set out in the table is based on the current Employment Control Framework of 10,000 all ranks in the Permanent Defence Force versus the strength of 9,460 as at 30 November 2011, the latest date for which figures are available. As the Deputy will be aware a major...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 350 to 352, inclusive, together. In the current economic situation, the acquisition of defensive equipment and training takes place on a strictly prioritised basis to ensure that the Defence Forces can carry out their roles at home and overseas. A particular focus is maintained on ensuring that modern and effective equipment is available for overseas peace...

Written Answers — Search and Rescue Service: Search and Rescue Service (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for the provision of search and rescue services within the Irish search and rescue region. In accordance with the roles assigned to them in the White Paper on Defence, the Air Corps and the Naval Service are committed to providing support to the civil authorities including in relation to search and rescue. In this regard, the Air Corps and the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am pleased to say that following the outcome of the Government's Comprehensive Review of Expenditure, the Government decided to maintain the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel. This recognises the significant modernisation that has been achieved to date and reflects the Government's intention that the Defence Forces retain the capacity to operate effectively across...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: As I have said previously annual savings in respect of utilities, security duty allowances and maintenance amount to approximately €1.3 million per annum in respect of the four barracks being closed. In relation to O' Neill Barracks Cavan these savings amount to approximately €0.35m based on the most recent figures available. In addition to the cost of utilities each barracks requires a...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Government has decided to accept my recommendations that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force will be maintained at 9,500. I believe that this is the optimum level required to fulfil all roles assigned by Government. I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 30 November, 2011, the latest date for which details are available, was...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: Whilst the process of vacating Columb Barracks Mullingar has commenced, no decision has yet been made in relation to any artifacts or memorabilia located at the barracks. This matter will be addressed over the coming weeks in consultation with the military authorities.