Results 7,501-7,520 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers. In replies to recent parliamentary questions I have outlined, in detail, current trends in asylum seeker numbers, i.e., a fall in the number of new applications, together with a fall in the number of families seeking asylum, and the consequent implications for the RIA. As a demand-driven...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my replies to Dáil Questions No. 149 of 26 January 2006, No. 181 of 9 February 2006, No. 249 of 16 February 2006, No. 215 of 2 March 2006 and No. 192 of 9 March 2006 and a reply given to a Dáil Adjournment debate on 23 February 2006 in relation to this case. I wish to emphasise again that the person concerned is not being returned to her country of origin but rather to...

Written Answers — Child Abduction: Child Abduction (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 660, 664 and 668 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to comment in detail on an individual case. The central authority for child abduction operates in my Department for the purposes of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. The purpose of the convention is to facilitate the return of...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Irish-born child unit was set up in late 2003 in my Department to consider applications for leave to remain from the parents of Irish-born children. The unit was staffed by way of a levy on other Departments. No staff dealing with immigration work in my Department were assigned to work in the Irish-born child unit. Around 50 staff were involved in the processing of applications. The work...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Commissioner, or an officer not below the rank of chief superintendent delegated to act on behalf of the Commissioner, may dispose of a vehicle which has been detained, removed and stored in accordance with the Road Traffic Act, 1994 (Section 41) Regulations 1995, in any manner he or she thinks fit where the owner has not claimed it or has not...

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 663 and 679 together. The NICKOL Garda youth diversion project has been allocated a provisional grant of €109,060 for 2006, which represents an increase of 2% on the project's grant allocation for 2005. The project was informed of this by letter from my Department on 2 January 2006. A first instalment of €35,000 also issued to the project on that date. The...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have requested the Land Registry to contact the Deputy directly concerning the current position of the application in question. I understand that, in circumstances where the completion of an application in a particular case is urgent, the Land Registry will make every reasonable effort to facilitate such requests on receipt of a written explanation as to the reason underlying the urgency.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 20 January 2006. The statutory declaration at the end of the application form was incorrectly completed and was returned to the applicant on 1 February 2006. The application was resubmitted on 6 February 2006 but the statutory declaration was...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the citizenship section of my Department in 2003. I am advised by my officials that the processing of the application is almost complete and is due to be submitted to me for a decision in the near future. I will inform the Deputy and the applicant when the matter is finalised.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 669 and 670 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of arrests for drink driving for each of the years 2000-2004 is set out in the following table: Year Number of Arrests for Drink Driving 2000 10,433 2001 12,841 2002 13,441 2003 11,344 2004 12,307 The number of cases where proceedings were commenced either by...

Written Answers — Warrant Statistics: Warrant Statistics (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: It has not been possible within the timeframe involved to collate the information required by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Warrant Statistics: Warrant Statistics (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: It has not been possible within the timeframe involved to collate the information required by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that my Department operates telephone helplines for queries in relation to immigration matters, citizenship applications and visa applications. The hours of operation of the various helplines are as follows: immigration matters from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, excluding bank and public holidays; citizenship...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, having considered all the circumstances of this case, the person in question has recently been granted permission to remain in the State for a four month period to enable an employer obtain a work permit on his behalf.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy may be aware, the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 is being implemented by the newly established Office of the Minister for Children, OMC, under the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan. The programme builds on the success of the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006, EOCP, which will conclude in 2007. The new...

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that while no date has yet been fixed for a new Garda recruitment competition, it is expected that a new recruitment competition will be held later this year. Entry to the Garda Síochána is governed by An Garda Síochána (Admissions & Appointments) Regulations...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 14 March 2006. The average processing time for a certificate of naturalisation is 24 months. It is likely, therefore, that the case will be finalised in or around March 2008. I will inform the Deputy and the applicant when a decision has been...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 6 October 1996 and applied for asylum. On 24 April 1998 he withdrew his asylum application and made an application for residency on the basis of his parentage of an Irish national. This application was subsequently deemed abandoned as the applicant failed to respond to all correspondence which issued to him from my Department. In accordance with...

Written Answers — Child Care Facilities: Child Care Facilities (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy may be aware, responsibility for the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 has been assigned to the Department of Health and Children as part of the establishment of the new Office of the Minister for Children under the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan. With regard to the application for capital grant assistance under the Equal...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have requested the Land Registry to contact the Deputy directly concerning the current position of the application in question. I understand that in circumstances where the completion of an application in a particular case is urgent, the Land Registry will make every reasonable effort to facilitate such requests on receipt of a written explanation as to the reason underlying the urgency.