Results 641-660 of 2,815 for speaker:Tony Killeen

Child Care Services. (29 Nov 2005)

Tony Killeen: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, has responsibility for this area of Government policy but his ministerial duties demand his presence elsewhere this evening. Deputy Connolly has referred to a particular facility in Cootehill, County Cavan. To respond to the Deputy it is necessary first to give a brief...

Sexual Offenders. (29 Nov 2005)

Tony Killeen: I thank Deputy Costello for raising this matter and acknowledge his commitment to reform in the prison sector. I am deputising this evening for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell. The management of sex offenders, both while they are in prison and in the community, is a matter which the Minister of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, his Department and associated...

Sexual Offenders. (29 Nov 2005)

Tony Killeen: ——they are examining how the services can improve the range of interventions available to offenders, and thereby increase the number of offenders addressing their offending. Their core concern is that any approach proposed should contribute to enhancing societal and community protection. Another development in this regard is the Minister's recently announced proposal for new statutory...

Road Safety. (30 Nov 2005)

Tony Killeen: Gabhaim buíochas leat, a Cheann Comhairle, as seans a thabhairt dom an t-ábhar seo a chur os comhair na Dála. An interdepartmental-agency review group on public safety, established in November 1999 and chaired by Dr. Daniel O'Hare, comprised representatives from all Departments, various agencies and other appropriate bodies, such as the National Safety Council. The group's report entitled,...

Security of the Elderly. (30 Nov 2005)

Tony Killeen: I acknowledge the commitment of Deputies Ellis and Finneran to this issue. I am answering on behalf of the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Noel Ahern, who has another engagement. Responsibility for the scheme of community supports for older people was transferred to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs from the...

Traveller Accommodation. (30 Nov 2005)

Tony Killeen: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Micheál D. Ó hUiginn as ucht an ábhair tábhachtaigh seo a thabhairt ós comhair na Dála. Is oth leis an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Nollaig Ó hEachthairn, nach feidir leis bheith anseo mar tá sé ar ghnó eile. In recent days we have heard a great deal about Traveller halting sites. I express my sincere sympathy to the family of the two McGinley children...

Traveller Accommodation. (30 Nov 2005)

Tony Killeen: Galway City Council was informed earlier this year that its proposals for the complete demolition and refurbishment of the halting site to modern standards were eligible for funding. As well as minor technical amendments, it was a condition of the approval that an effective and ongoing management and maintenance system be put in place. Such a system must ensure that, with the involvement and...

Traveller Accommodation. (30 Nov 2005)

Tony Killeen: Details of this site, including the costs involved, are awaited from the council. On their receipt, this aspect of the project will receive early attention in the Department.

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (30 Nov 2005)

Tony Killeen: I thank Deputy Neville for raising this matter. I am replying on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, who apologises for being unable to attend the debate. The provision of modern environmental infrastructure to support social and economic objectives has been a major focus of Government spending in recent years. The Minister is glad to...

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (30 Nov 2005)

Tony Killeen: Many areas will benefit from improved water supplies from the major upgrade planned for the Clareville water treatment plant, improvements to the Shannon estuary water supply scheme and extensions of the Limerick county trunk water mains. Funding has also been set aside in the water services investment programme for the Kilmallock sewerage scheme. Costing more than €9 million, it has been...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (1 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: The hourly rates of pay and conditions of employment for electricians engaged in the electrical contracting industry are set out in a registered employment agreement which has been registered with the Labour Court underthe Industrial Relations Act 1946. The agreement is available on the Labour Court websitewww.labourcourt.ie and a copy of the agreement is being sent to the Deputy for his...

National Minimum Wage. (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: In 2004, labour inspectors undertook 462 inspections under the National Minimum Wage Act 2000. So far this year the inspectorate has undertaken 407 inspections under the legislation. Rights commissioners of the Labour Relations Commission, a body independent of my Department, also hear complaints concerning breaches of the National Minimum Wage Act 2000. A total of 19 employment regulation...

National Minimum Wage. (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: A significant number of labour inspections were carried out following the introduction of the national minimum wage to ensure employers were aware of its existence and of the necessity for compliance. There has been less of an emphasis in this regard in recent times because people are aware of the provisions of that Act. Difficulties were experienced in filling the 31 labour inspection posts....

National Minimum Wage. (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: Some 31 have been appointed.

National Minimum Wage. (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: I am not certain their training has finished. The Deputy will understand there is little point in appointing people without giving them the necessary training.

National Minimum Wage. (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: All 31 posts were filled in mid-October or early-November and a further training element was to be completed after that date. I can revert to the Deputy with the detail, but the inspection programme is under way. With regard to sectoral agreement, as with the minimum wage one of the requirements for the inspectorate is that the specific matter be brought to its attention. Equally important,...

National Minimum Wage. (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: With regard to sectoral agreements, the Deputy and the House are aware that a review of the joint labour committee is under way. It is clear there is less need for some of the sectoral agreements than previously. There are some sectors in which I would like to see new JLCs introduced, specifically for domestic workers and workers in some areas of the health sector. This is under consideration...

National Minimum Wage. (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: One could not escape the attention of the Kilkenny Deputies on the matter.

National Minimum Wage. (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: People are well aware that the issue arises from the date on which the increase in redundancy payments came into effect. On all occasions they come into effect at a particular time. No matter the date, some sectors win and some lose out.

Bullying in the Workplace. (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: In August 2004, my predecessor, Deputy Fahey, established a widely representative expert advisory group on workplace bullying, the terms of reference of which were to advise and report on the effectiveness of measures concerning the prevention of workplace bullying, the identification of improvements in procedures and how to address the contribution made by bullying to the incidence of...