Results 6,301-6,320 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Immigration Policy: Immigration Policy (24 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: I believe there is scope for dynamic initiatives from my Department to contribute to our national recovery and the area of entrepreneurship and investment is a prime opportunity. Today I have secured Government approval for the introduction of two major new immigration initiatives aimed at facilitating migrant entrepreneurs and investors who, in return for permission to reside in the State,...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (24 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the Garda authorities that it is the policy of An Garda Síochána to appoint a Family Liaison Officer to liaise with the family of victims of fatal road traffic accidents and provide timely and accurate information relating to the progress of the Garda investigation of the accident and any prosecutions arising therefrom. I am also advised by the Garda authorities that...

Written Answers — Departmental White Papers: Departmental White Papers (24 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: I can inform the Deputy that work on the development of a White Paper on Crime is at an advanced stage and is expected to be completed this year.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (24 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that as of the 31 December 2011, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the number of Gardaí assigned to the Garda Stations to which Deputy refers, was as set out in the table. Garda Station Number of Gardaí Rush 5 Whitehall 44 Dalkey 31 Harcourt Terrace 79 Corrandulla 1 Glenisland 0 Tourmakeady 1 Mulranny 1 Bellacorrik 1...

Written Answers — Inspector of Prisons Reports: Inspector of Prisons Reports (24 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy will be aware that I published the Inspector of Prisons Report of his inspection of Limerick Prison on 17 January, 2012. I also published the Inspector's report of his first follow up report inspection along with the Irish Prison Service' Action Plan for implementing the Inspector's recommendations. The Director General of the Irish Prison Service has assured me that the vast...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (24 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: In reaching a decision on the closure of a number of Garda stations, including Loughglynn, the Commissioner reviewed all aspects of the Garda Síochána's policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the operation of Garda stations, both in terms of opening hours and possible closures. In addition, all Divisional Officers were asked to...

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (24 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Inspector of Prisons recommended in his 2010 Annual Report that an independent audit be commissioned by the Irish Prison Service examining the type of education being provided in prisons, the relevance of such education, the numbers being educated and the value for money being provided. The audit's findings are currently being assessed in consultation with the Department of Education...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (24 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: Under the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 it is an offence, inter alia, to use words, publish or distribute written material, or broadcast any visual images or sounds which are threatening, abusive or insulting and are intended, or, having regard to all the circumstances, are likely to stir up hatred. The word "hatred" is defined as "hatred against a group of persons in the...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (24 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: Currently, just over 10,000 standard cases are awaiting a decision for more than 6 months. This compares to approximately 17,500 cases in early 2011. In addition, there are about 3,500 complex cases in the system for longer periods which require further investigation before a decision can be made on them. Measures I introduced since coming to office have resulted in a significant increase in...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (24 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: Long Term Residency is granted on the basis that a non-EEA national has completed a minimum of five years legal residence in the State on work permit conditions. I am informed by the Long Term Residency Section of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that applications generally take approximately six months to process. For example, a person who submitted a valid...

Written Answers — Public Sector Reform: Public Sector Reform (24 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: Under the Public Service Reform Plan, a new approach is to be adopted in relation to managing the performance and governance of State Agencies. This includes the greater use of Service Level Agreements with Departments that focus on outputs and outcomes. I understand that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will issue guidance on best practice in this regard and the new...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (24 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Department wrote to the employees concerned on 16 November 2011 to inform them of the decision to close Columb Barracks and to provide relevant contact details if they had any queries. Discussions have also been ongoing with unions representing the employees concerned. In addition, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has recently approved an application from the Department to...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (24 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: The White Paper on Defence recommended the establishment of a High Level Civil-Military Planning and Procurement Group (HLPPG) to identify equipment requirements and agree a procurement programme to provide the Defence Forces with the type and quantities of equipment necessary to carry out their assigned roles. The Group monitors and reviews equipment, infrastructure and property expenditure...

Written Answers — Public Sector Reform: Public Sector Reform (24 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: Last year, the Government decided to transfer the functions of the Civil Defence Board back into the Department of Defence. A Bill is currently being drafted and it is anticipated that it will be published this year.

Written Answers — Public Sector Reform: Public Sector Reform (24 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: The bodies under the aegis of my Department are the Army Pensions Board, the Civil Defence Board and the Board of Coiste an Asgard. The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body whose main function is to investigate applications for pensions, allowances and gratuities from retired members of the Permanent Defence Force under the Army Pensions Acts. The Army Pensions Board does...

Written Answers — Public Sector Reform: Public Sector Reform (24 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: Last year, the Government decided to transfer the functions of the Civil Defence Board back into the Department of Defence. A Bill is currently being drafted and it is anticipated that it will be published this year. In terms of the potential savings to be made from the transfer of functions of the Civil Defence Board back to my Department, it is estimated that the savings in running costs...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (24 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: The bodies under the aegis of my Department are the Civil Defence Board, the Army Pensions Board and the Board of Coiste an Asgard. The Civil Defence Board comprises 14 members. There is no remuneration attached to membership of the Civil Defence Board. Board members, including the Chairperson, are entitled to claim reimbursement of travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with...

Written Answers — Coroners Service: Coroners Service (25 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: I wish to inform the Deputy that fees and expenses relating to Coroners Services are specified in Statutory Instrument Number 155 of 2009 and so the question of tendering for these services does not arise. The total amount provided by the Local Authorities for this service is approximately €8.405 million for 2012. The table shows that the estimated expenditure by each local authority is...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (25 Jan 2012)

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 May, 2009. The application is at an advanced stage of processing and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. The granting of Irish citizenship...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (25 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy will be aware that the Commissioner, in consultation with his senior management team, is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation, and I have no function in the matter. Garda management closely monitors this allocation of resources, including transfers and retirements, in the context of crime trends, policing needs and...