Results 8,161-8,180 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Visa Section of my Department that it is not aware of any major issues or delays currently in the processing of student visas either generally or specifically in the case of the countries detailed. Visa applicants are advised to allow as much time as possible when making a 'Study' application with a minimum time of eight weeks in advance being recommended. The Department...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy will appreciate that, in matters of this nature, it is not open to me to provide legal advice. As regards this particular case, the Deputy will be aware that under the terms of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal is wholly independent in its operations. I am sure the Deputy will therefore appreciate that...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 525 and 548 together. I have recently received a copy of correspondence relating to the person concerned, forwarded to me by my colleague Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mary Hanafin TD. Previous correspondence in relation to this matter had already been received by my Department in November 2007 and a reply was issued to the person concerned setting...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The information requested by the Deputy is currently being researched. I will be in contact with him as soon as it is to hand.

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to advise the Deputy that on 28 January, 2009, prior to the release of the convicted sex offender, a member of An Garda Síochána from Glenties Garda Station called to the family of the injured party and advised them of the pending release of the convicted offender. I understand, however, that prior to this notification the family had been informed of the pending release of the...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: On 19 March, 2009, there were 3,882 prisoners in custody as compared to a bed capacity of 3,611. This represents an occupancy level of 108%. The following table provides a breakdown of the population of each prison/place of detention on 19 March, 2009: Prison/Place of Detention Bed Capacity No. in Custody Arbour Hill Prison 148 153 Castlerea Prison 228 278 Cloverhill Prison 431 474 Cork...

Written Answers — Drugs in Prisons: Drugs in Prisons (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: There are 3 main exercise yards at Mountjoy Prison and one smaller exercise yard attached to the Medical Unit. From October 2006 netting has been placed around the exercise yards which have an external boundary with Glengarriff Parade. This netting is approximately 20 foot in height and is placed over the exterior walls which stand at 20 foot in height giving a total height of wall and...

Written Answers — Prison Staff: Prison Staff (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: For security reasons, it is not possible to provide the Deputy with a breakdown of the staffing levels in the Training Unit, or indeed of any individual prison, in the detailed format that she has requested. I can, however, inform the Deputy that I am satisfied that the staffing levels at the Training Unit are appropriate.

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the persons referred to by the Deputy were arrested in Sligo and Tuam Garda Districts. On 5 February, 2008 one person was charged with a number of offences under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 and for failing to produce a valid passport or other equivalent document. The person's identity was subsequently established. He appeared...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 532 and 549 together. Following enactment of the Legal Services Ombudsman Bill on 10 March 2009 arrangements are being made to facilitate the appointment of the Legal Services Ombudsman. The details of the arrangements will be announced as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements. ...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Officials in the Citizenship Section of my Department inform me that processing of this application is complete and a decision will be forwarded to the person in question in the near future.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the total number of handguns stolen in the years 2004 to 2008 was 33. The following table shows a breakdown by year. I am also informed that the six handguns stolen in 2007 were two air pistols, three revolvers and one pistol. The six handguns stolen in 2008 were two air pistols, one starting-pistol, two semi-automatic pistols (both licensed) and...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 536 and 537 together. There are no drivers employed directly by me. Under a long-standing arrangement, Government Ministers and certain other State officials are provided with an official car which is driven by a member of An Garda Síochána from a pool of Gardaí which are allocated on a full-time basis to Office Holders. These Gardaí provide security and...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy will be aware from my previous replies to questions 32363/08 of 30th September and 44880/08 of 9th December 2008 that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation around the country is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána in consultation with the Garda representative associations. The programme is progressed by the Garda...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Equality Authority launched, on 4 March 2009, its new Strategic Plan for 2009 to 2011, entitled "Equality for All in a Time of Change". It has been widely acknowledged that the Plan represents a new direction for the Authority to enable it to meet its complex mandate, and recognises the changing financial circumstances in which all public service bodies are operating. The stated position...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2008 and the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2008 prohibit direct and indirect discrimination in the area of employment and in the provision of goods and services respectively on nine grounds. These are gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, and membership of the travelling community. The Employment Equality...

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Once Irish nationals or persons resident in Ireland have been deemed suitable parents to adopt by the Adoption Board of Ireland and wish to adopt a non-national child from outside the State, an application for an Immigration Clearance letter should be made to the Foreign Adoptions Unit, Immigrations Services, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2. The Immigration Clearance letter is issued in lieu of a...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Further to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 155 of 12 March 2009, the response received from the person concerned referred to in that reply has been assessed by the relevant officials. The application of the person concerned for permission to remain as the dependant family member of a person granted permission under the IBC/05 Scheme has been refused, as the person does not meet the...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The person concerned applied for asylum on 25 November 2004. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 24 January 2006, that the...