Results 6,201-6,220 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Net budget allocation for my Department for 2011 for Defence (Vote 36) and Army Pensions (Vote 37) was €882m. The Army Pensions Vote required a supplementary estimate of €15.6m in 2011 which was offset by savings on the Defence Vote. Provisional expenditure to 31 December 2011 at subhead level is provided below: Defence (Vote 36) - provisional Subhead Description Expenditure to...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (17 Jan 2012)

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 — Air Corps Operations: Air Corps Operations (17 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: 1A Service Level Agreement between my Department and the Department of Health has been in place since 2005 which formalises the arrangements for the provision of an air ambulance service by the Air Corps. This Agreement was last revised in October, 2011 and details the support provided by the Air Corps, specifically emergency inter-hospital transfers for spinal and serious injuries and...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: 2057The Defence Forces Printing Press produces a Defence Forces Calendar annually in conjunction with Military Archives. The calendar is produced as part of the Military Archives' mission to make available the documentary military heritage of the State to the public as well as contributing to the implementation of the Defence Forces public relations strategy. The calendar forms an integral...

Leaders' Questions (18 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: This is political game playing.

Immigration Services (18 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: The right of all Members of this House to make representations on behalf of constituents is a core democratic principle and an important part of ensuring that individual rights and interests are properly accounted for in the administration of government. I assure the House that my Department makes every effort to facilitate Deputies to submit representations and queries on individual cases...

Immigration Services (18 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: It is my understanding from colleagues that the e-mail service is working extremely well. Colleagues from all sides of the House who use the service - it is not exclusive to Government Deputies in any shape or form - get speedy responses to queries they raise. On occasions when an urgent issue has arisen in respect of immigration, residence, asylum or citizenship matters Deputies on all...

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (18 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: The management and administration of the courts, as the Deputy will be aware, is a matter for the Courts Service. The allocation of the business of the courts, scheduling of court cases and the management of court lists are matters for the judiciary and in particular the Presidents of the courts. The Deputy will also be aware that judges are, subject to the Constitution and the law,...

Written Answers — Court Accommodation: Court Accommodation (18 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service. The Act provides that the Service is independent in the performance of its functions including the maintenance and provision of courthouse facilities. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (18 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: The nature of the naturalisation process is such that for a broad range of reasons some cases will take longer than others to process. Accordingly, the use of averages in such a situation can be very misleading. However, as the Deputy will be aware, the measures I introduced last year have resulted in a significant increase in the number of cases decided. Over 16,000 valid applications...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (18 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: The grant of a stamp 4 permission to a non-national is a very significant immigration permission and enables the recipient to access the labour market and a whole range of other state services. In general, the conditions attaching to a stamp 4 permission are that the person concerned has permission to work or operate a business without the need for an employment permit or other specific...

Written Answers — Prison Staff: Prison Staff (18 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: The person referred to by the Deputy was appointed to the position of Prison Officer on 23 March, 1998. It was decided to terminate his probationary services in October, 1998 following a period of sick leave and a failure to recommence training. Prior to this decision being taken, the person concerned was fully informed of the reasons for the termination of his probationary services and...

Written Answers — Garda Compensation Claims: Garda Compensation Claims (18 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: The delay concerning this application arose because the Chief Medical Officer has been awaiting a specialist medical report in order to advise on this application under the Garda Síochána Compensation Acts 1941 and 1945. The Garda authorities have been in contact with the solicitor of the applicant to resolve the issues surrounding this requirement. My Department understands that the Chief...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (18 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 to 187, inclusive, together. By way of background for the Deputy's information, the European Union Court of Justice Judgment in the Zambrano case, delivered on 8th March, 2011, precludes an EU Member State from refusing a non-EU national parent who has minor dependent children, who are EU citizens, the right to reside in the Member State of residence and...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (18 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Coroners Bill 2007 is before the Seanad having been restored to the Order Paper on my initiative. The Bill is in the course of being reviewed in my Department with a view, among other matters, to making it as cost-effective as possible. The Bill, as published, provides for the comprehensive reform of the existing legislation and structures relating to coroners and provides for the...

Army Barracks (19 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: I thank my colleague, Deputy McFadden, for raising an issue of great concern to her. The defence organisation has an enviable track record of reform and modernisation. During the past decade when public service expenditure and employment levels increased, defence expenditure declined in real terms and personnel numbers decreased. During this period Defence Forces' capabilities were also...

Army Barracks (19 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: I would have hoped the Deputy would have regarded what I said as a hopeful answer for the future. We had a three brigade structure in the Defence Forces at a time when we had more than 15,000 troops. In the context of where we now stand with the number at 9,500, to ensure the maximum efficiencies, economies of scale and the delivery of service, it no longer makes any sense to retain a three...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (19 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: In line with a commitment in the Programme for Government, the Personal Insolvency Bill is in the course of being urgently developed in my Department to provide for a new framework for settlement and enforcement of debt and for personal insolvency. It is intended that the Heads of the Bill, which are expected to be finalised in the near future, will be forwarded to the Joint Oireachtas...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (19 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána assigned to each Garda District in the Waterford Garda Division in the years referred to by the Deputy and as at the latest date for which figures are readily available, is set out in the following table. 31/12/07 31/12/08 31/12/09 31/12/10 31/12/11 District Dungarvan* 62 61 66 67 61 Tramore 47 50...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (19 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the Garda authorities that the number of official accommodation properties occupied by former members of An Garda Síochána is 31. There are no such properties within the Irish Prison Service. I am further advised that accommodation which forms part of the State portfolio of properties is exempt from the household charge.