Results 7,541-7,560 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the incident referred to by the Deputy is being investigated by the Garda Síochána. I understand that the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the South Dublin County Council Dog Warden are assisting the Garda authorities in their investigation. I am further informed that targeted Garda patrols will be carried out in 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 — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management has a number of initiatives in place to counteract the use of drugs and house break-ins in the Finglas area. To counteract the use of drugs in the area, the Garda K district drugs unit carries out searches on a regular basis in the area on those suspected of being involved in drug activity. Also, Operation Colt has been set up...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there has been non-compliance with a notice served under the provisions of section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2003 on premises referred to by the Deputy. The Garda authorities are now giving consideration to bringing these matters before the courts in accordance with the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 2003.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (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 the personnel strength across all ranks of the Garda Síochána as at 31 December 1997 and 20 March 2006 was 10,702 and 12,445, respectively. This represents an increase of 1,743,16.3%, in the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána during that period. I...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (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 the information requested is not readily available and can only be obtained by the disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources relative to the information sought.

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: Section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides a legislative basis for the operation of CCTV systems in public places for the purposes of crime prevention and crime detection by the Garda Síochána and community-based groups. It does not apply to persons operating CCTV cameras on their premises for the purposes of protecting persons or property on the premises or environs. Officials of...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (21 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: In order to ensure public safety and security, I propose to introduce a wide range of amendments to the Firearms Acts 1925 to 2000 in the context of the Criminal Justice Bill 2004, which is before the Dáil. Included in these new proposals will be measures which will create mandatory minimum sentences, of between five and ten years, for certain firearms offences, including possession of a...

Written Answers — Garda Personnel: Garda Personnel (22 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: There are currently 1,857 civilians employed in the Garda Síochána, which works out at almost 13% of total staff. This figure includes approximately 1,000 staff carrying out clerical and administrative duties and 49 staff employed in professional-technical areas such as financial accounting, information technology, teaching, nursing, research and human resources. The remainder are employed...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (22 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: Temporary travel documents are never intended to be issued as a substitute for a passport from a person's own country of origin. However, in exceptional circumstances they can be issued in the event that a person has been unreasonably refused a passport from their country of origin. There is no evidence that the person concerned has made an application for a temporary travel document and the...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (22 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 — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (22 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: My Department has not received any representations, invitations or meeting requests from the Open Republic Institute nor have I met with any representatives of same.

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (22 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 220 together. I launched the community based CCTV scheme last year in response to a demonstrated demand from local communities across Ireland for the provision of CCTV systems. The purpose of the scheme is to support local communities who wish to install and maintain CCTV security systems in their area, with the aim of increasing public safety and...

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (22 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: Funding for the Legal Aid Board has been increased by over 19% during the last two years, from €18.388 million in 2004 to €21.9 million in 2006. This additional funding has contributed to a significant improvement in waiting times across the country. The present position with waiting times at the Legal Aid Board's law centres is that legal services are being provided to all eligible...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (22 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 — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (22 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: Over €448.5 million has been allocated to child care providers under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 over the period 2000 — 2005. This funding is expected to lead to the creation of some 41,000 new child care places and support over 32,000 existing places. In respect of counties Meath, Cork and Tipperary, funding of €15.4 million, €50.1 million and €19.5...

Written Answers — Land Registry: Land Registry (22 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have requested the Land Registry to contact the Deputy directly concerning the current position of the application in question.

Written Answers — Land Registry: Land Registry (22 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have requested the Land Registry to contact the Deputy directly concerning the current position of the application in question.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (22 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 6 July 2004. The average processing time for such applications is 24 months at present. It is likely, therefore, that the case of the person in question will be finalised in or around July this year. I will contact the Deputy and the...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (22 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers through the policy of direct provision. Direct provision is the means by which the State discharges its obligations to provide for the basic requirements of asylum seekers. For the most part, that represents a cashless system, with the State assuming responsibility for providing suitable...