Results 6,001-6,020 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (22 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 220 of Thursday 3 April 2008 and the written Reply to that Question. The first named person concerned arrived in the State on 15 December 2002, accompanied by two of her children, and made an application for asylum. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (22 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I understand that the Deputy's question has also been submitted to my colleague the Minister for Education and Science, whose Department does of course have lead responsibility for these matters. Nevertheless, and arising from my Department's specific involvement in the field of Youth Diversion and Young Person's Probation Services, there are a number of projects funded by us which come...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (23 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The person concerned applied on 30th March, 2005 for permission to remain in the State under the revised arrangements for non-EEA parents of children born in Ireland prior to 1st January 2005, commonly referred to as the IBC/05 Scheme. This application was refused on 17th August, 2005 as the person was outside the State and did not meet the criteria of the scheme. On 29th November, 2007 the...

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (23 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is my understanding that there are no persons remaining in custody who have been deemed as qualifying prisoners under Section 3(2) of the Criminal Justice (Release of Prisoners) Act, 1998.

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (23 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The document referred to is an internal operational Garda document and, accordingly, I would have no role in relation to it.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (23 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The existing processing time for applications for certificates of naturalisation is approximately thirty months and this is primarily due to the significant increase in the volume of applications received in the last number of years. The Deputy will appreciate that the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is an honour and applications must be processed in a way which...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (23 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. The RIA currently operates 63 centres across 22 counties accommodating over 6,800 asylum seekers. The information required by the Deputy regarding the number of asylum seekers currently in the Old Convent accommodation...

Written Answers — Parking Regulations: Parking Regulations (23 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to by the Deputy is a private estate managed by a property management company. The parking restrictions in the estate were put in place by the property management company and as such the removal of vehicles parked illegally or otherwise is the responsibility of that company. I am further informed that the estate has been visited...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (23 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications. As the Deputy will be aware, 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...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (23 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be helpful for me to comment on the specific details of operations and initiatives put in place by the Garda to combat dissident activities. The Garda is aware of the incidents referred to and are satisfied that sufficient resources are available if required. Due to the proximity to the border with Northern Ireland, An Garda Síochána, in...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The control of expenditure, budgetary management and financial management generally is a significant priority for top level management in my Department and its associated bodies. All expenditure across the five Votes that comprise the Justice and Equality sector is monitored on a monthly basis by the Department's financial management committee. It is much too early in the fiscal year to make...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (23 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person concerned was received in the Citizenship section of my Department in August 2005 and I decided to refuse the application. The reason for my decision was disclosed to the applicant in a letter dated 3 April 2008. There is no appeals process under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. It is open to the...

Written Answers — Young Offenders: Young Offenders (23 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is, of course, a basic principle of our criminal justice system that all people, including young people, are treated fairly if they come into contact with our system of justice. In relation to the details supplied, I appreciate there can be an issue within communities where teenagers and residents are, on occasion, at odds on whether particular activity or behaviour constitutes public...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (23 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The position in relation to long term residency is as follows: Persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements. While...

Written Answers — Integration Projects: Integration Projects (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy will be aware, an amount of over €9.2M was allocated to the Office of the Minister for Integration in the Estimates. I will shortly publish a policy statement on the integration of immigrants which will include a future strategy for funding in the integration area. A special emphasis will be placed on funding membership organisations, faith-based groups and building local...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 654 on 5th February 2008. I understand that the Office of Public Works has now completed the evaluation of tenders received for the construction of the new permanent offices for the Property Registration Authority and a preferred tenderer has been identified and notified. The Preferred Tenderer will now be required to apply for planning...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I wish to inform the Deputy that a total of 16,693 applicants were granted permission to remain in the State, initially for a period of two years, under the revised arrangements for non-EEA parents of children born in Ireland prior to 1st January, 2005, commonly referred to as the IBC/05 scheme. While applicants were of many nationalities, Nigeria, Romania and China were the most commonly...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 to 217, inclusive, together. The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána in which I nor my Department have any direct role. As the Deputy will be aware, a number of complaints have been received at Kells Garda Station with regard to the operation of a People in Profit System (PIPS — Investment Scheme). I have been...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As of 31st March 2008 there were 674 members of the Garda Síochána assigned to community policing. This represents an increase of almost 30% in number over the past year. Garda numbers are allocated on a Garda Divisional rather than county by county basis and the breakdown is set-out in the table. Division No. of Garda DMR South Central 80 DMR Southern 50 DMR Northern 70 DMR West 88...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As at 31st March 2008, the number of Garda Reserve members assigned to Tallaght Garda Station was 2. As recruitment to the Garda Reserve is voluntary, the deployment of future Reserve members to Tallaght will be dependent on volunteers making themselves available to serve in this area. Recruitment is continuing and regular promotional efforts to attract potential Reserve members are being...