Results 6,581-6,600 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Gardaí operating as Juvenile Liaison Officers (JLO's) on 30 September 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 105. The overall strength of An Garda Síochána on 30 September 2008 was 14,284. The number operating as JLO's represents 0.74% of the overall strength. The Commissioner has approved the...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: While the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) deals with numerous types of applications for residence in this State, I assume the Deputy is referring to applications for long term residence. The current Long Term Residence Scheme was introduced in May 2004 and operates on an administrative basis. This administrative scheme is focused on persons who have been legally resident...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: While my Department has a key role in the development of disability equality policy and legislation, it is not directly involved in the provision of services for people with disabilities. These services are mainstreamed to the relevant Departments. However, from time to time my Department provides funds for schemes which are usually stand-alone and / or aimed to develop innovative pilot...

Written Answers — Recidivism Rate: Recidivism Rate (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service facilitated a major study of prisoner re-offending by the UCD Institute of Criminology. The study found that 27.4% of released prisoners were serving a new prison sentence with one year. This rose to 39.2% after two years, 45.1% after three years, and 49.2% after four years. In the context of addressing recidivism, the Irish Prison...

Written Answers — Prison Service: Prison Service (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I can advise the Deputy that I am determined to continue to progress initiatives in all of the areas mentioned by the Inspector. I am setting out some of the more important developments hereunder: Overcrowding The Government has committed significant resources to the prison building programme. In addition to the 1300 extra prison spaces provided in recent years current developments will...

Written Answers — Community Policing: Community Policing (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the report of the Working Group on the National Model of Community Policing is at present being considered by Senior Garda Management and I look forward to seeing the proposals which emerge from this. The national strategies for Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert, both of which were launched in 2007, will also inform the organisation on how...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that 1,775 civilian personnel were employed in An Garda Síochána as of 31 December 2002. This figure represents the actual number of employees, including part-time employees, and is not a whole time equivalent figure as it was inadvertently referred to in my answer to the Deputy's Question No: 32865/08 of 2nd October 2008. The corresponding figure on...

Written Answers — Joint Policing Committees: Joint Policing Committees (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Question No. 7 of today's date. The JPC's already established in the pilot phase are located in the following areas: Fingal, Kerry, Offaly, South Dublin and Wicklow County Councils; Clonmel, Drogheda and Sligo Borough Councils; Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford City Councils; Athy, Arklow, Ballinasloe, Birr, Bray, Cavan, Carrick-on-Suir,...

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I have nothing further to add to my response to Question No. 292 of 29 October 2008 other than to confirm that my Department has received a copy of the MABS submission to the Law Reform Commission.

Written Answers — Probation and Welfare Service: Probation and Welfare Service (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I can advise the Deputy that my Department, through the Probation Service, provides funding to over 50 voluntary bodies to assist with the management of offenders in the community. These funded projects provide a range of services to offenders in local communities, including training and education, offender management programmes, residential accommodation and drug and alcohol abuse treatment...

Written Answers — Prison Medical Service: Prison Medical Service (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I can advise the Deputy that figures relating to 31 October, 2008 indicated that there were 56 male persons under the age of 18 in custody in St. Patrick's Institution which is the designated detention centre for young male offenders aged between 16 and 21 years of age. Of these 40 were aged 17 and the remaining 16 were sixteen years of age. The enactment of the remaining sections of the...

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: In St Patrick's Institution educational classes and courses are provided by a team of 20 whole-time equivalent teachers. The number of teachers increased from 12 to the current 20 in February 2007 following the opening of the new B Division. All young persons are interviewed on committal for both Work/Training and Education and offered places in one or other of these activities. While the...

Written Answers — Garda Reserve: Garda Reserve (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I believe that the establishment of the Garda Reserve is one of the most progressive innovations in policing in Ireland in recent years. It has strengthened the links between the Garda Síochána and local communities and is a source of local support and knowledge. Full-time and Reserve members are working well together and I believe that the positive impacts made since the establishment of...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Commissioner that there are 56 members of An Garda Síochána permanently assigned to duties as Garda Protection Officers to 28 designated persons including the President, Taoiseach, Cabinet Ministers, former Taoisigh and members of the Judiciary. In addition, a further 27 members of the Garda Síochána are also designated as relief Garda Protection Officers, for relief...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table provides details of heroin seizures for the years 2004 to 2008 inclusive: Heroin seizures 2004-2008 (to date) Year Volume 2004 26.4 Kgs 2005 32.2 Kgs 2006 128 Kgs 2007 117.8 Kgs 2008* (to date) 161.7 kg *To date in 2008 as at 11 November 2008. In terms of availability, while heroin still predominates in the greater...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána on 30 September 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 14,284. The number of students in training as of 30th September 2008 is as follows: Phase I: 282 Phase II: 561 Phase III: 231 Phase IV: 831 Phase V: 273 I should point out that members in Phase IV and V are fully...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 78 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently three fixed cameras rotated between posts at various locations in Louth Division, Meath Division and in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. The emphasis of Garda speed enforcement is on the use of mobile speed cameras and their capacity in this area has been substantially enhanced...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Part 11 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which provides for civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by adults, was commenced on 1 January, 2007. Part 13 of the Act, relating to anti-social behaviour by children, was commenced on 1 March, 2007. These provisions set out an incremental procedure for addressing anti-social behaviour by adults and children. With regard to...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 59 and 64 together. The context in which financial provision has been made by the Government for the Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority for 2009 is as indicated in the Budget announcement of 14 October 2008. In both cases, while I accept that reduced budgets will cause some difficulties, I also consider that there is sufficient funding...

Written Answers — National Disability Strategy: National Disability Strategy (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I have already indicated in response to Question No. 992 of 24 September 2008, that a strategic document on the National Disability Strategy which will outline the vision, mission and strategic objectives under the Strategy is due to be finalised later in the year and will be published as soon as possible afterwards. That remains the position.