Results 961-980 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (18 Nov 2008)

John Curran: Funding for projects in Drugs Task Forces action plans in 2009 will be maintained at 2008 levels i.e. €32m. These action plans contain initiatives to tackle a range of issues across the pillars of treatment, rehabilitation, supply reduction as well as prevention measures. With regard to cocaine, under the Local Drugs Task Force Emerging Needs Fund, seven dedicated cocaine specific...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (19 Nov 2008)

John Curran: The project referred to by the Deputy is funded through the South Eastern Regional Drugs Task Force (SERDTF) and, in 2008, it was allocated funding of €182,282. The Task Force is responsible for the allocation of funding in line with its approved action plan and is charged with allocating funding in a manner, which it considers, will best address the needs in the region. In this regard, it...

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (25 Nov 2008)

John Curran: The Scheme of Community Support for Older People, operated by my Department, provides funding to local community and voluntary groups who identify vulnerable older people over the age of 65 years in their communities and arrange for the installation of socially-monitored alarms and other items of physical security equipment. Any local voluntary or community-based organisation, especially...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (26 Nov 2008)

John Curran: The closing date for submissions for the new National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 was in June last. While the group referred to by the Deputy did not make a formal submission, I did meet with them recently to discuss their five-year plan and I found the meeting to be most informative. In relation to the document Alcohol/Drugs – Parishes Respond, I will ask the Steering Group which is charged...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (26 Nov 2008)

John Curran: As the Deputy is aware, the majority of expenditure allocated to community groups through my Department for drugs initiatives is channelled through the Drugs Task Forces. The Local Drugs Task Forces (LDTFs) were set up to develop and implement a drugs strategy for their respective areas. As part of their brief, the Task Forces were responsible for assessing the nature and extent of the...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (26 Nov 2008)

John Curran: In the current economic environment, there is a critical need to ensure that resources are directed in a targeted and effective manner and that the public receive the maximum benefit from the schemes we provide. As with other Government Programmes and initiatives, the amount of funding available for the overall Community Development Programme will be somewhat less in 2009. This will present...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (26 Nov 2008)

John Curran: Since June 2002 the cost to my Department of installing and maintaining the SPEAK data collection package has been €215,465. My Department is currently undertaking an examination of the usefulness of SPEAK as a self-evaluation, planning and monitoring tool for Community Development Projects and it is expected that the results of this examination will be available shortly.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Second Stage (26 Nov 2008)

John Curran: I am pleased to introduce the Charities Bill 2007 to the House. Throughout the progression of the Bill through the Dáil there was a broad acceptance from all speakers that it was necessary and welcome. There was a healthy and constructive debate on all Stages, which resulted in the enhanced Bill that is presented to the Seanad today.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Second Stage (26 Nov 2008)

John Curran: The absence of a proper regulatory framework for the charities sector has been a matter of concern to this and previous Governments and to the charities sector. It is fair to say the sector welcomes appropriate regulation as a lack of regulation leaves it potentially open to abuse. The charities sector depends to a large extent on public confidence. It is estimated that currently more than...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Second Stage (26 Nov 2008)

John Curran: My apologies for that interruption. Section 26 is another standard provision in legislation of this type. Here, the authority will be required to introduce a superannuation scheme for its employees, and any such scheme will have to be approved by the Minister and laid before the Oireachtas. Any disputes in regard to superannuation benefits shall be adjudicated on by the Minister for...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Second Stage (26 Nov 2008)

John Curran: I thank Senators for their contributions to the debate. While I propose to comment on some of the issues raised, I will reflect on several other matters which were raised for the first time during this debate. Since my appointment about six months ago, the Charities Bill 2007 has been the only legislation with which I have had to deal. I do not know if many Ministers of State are landed...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Second Stage (26 Nov 2008)

John Curran: Before finalising on that, another point is that the organisations in this jurisdiction which are engaged in human rights activities and which are currently registered with Revenue will be deemed to automatically come within the remit of this legislation. As I said, the Revenue Commissioners do not recognise human rights per se. It is a question of trying to match terms that are consistent...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (2 Dec 2008)

John Curran: The Dial-to-Stop Drug Dealing Campaign, which I launched in September, is being rolled in three phases through the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces. As the geographical spread of the Drugs Task Forces does not necessarily replicate local authority areas, the campaigns are not being delivered on a local authority area basis. A breakdown of the areas covered by Local and Regional Drugs...

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (2 Dec 2008)

John Curran: The matter of the sale of so called bogus Mass cards has been the subject of debate during the passage of the Charities Bill 2007 through both the Dáil and the Seanad, where Committee Stage is scheduled for 4th December 2008. I am taking legal advice as to whether it is possible to make provision in the Bill to address this particular practice with a view, subject to the legal advice...

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

John Curran: It is called leadership.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (3 Dec 2008)

John Curran: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department operates a number of community programmes details of which are available on the Department website, www.pobail.ie. Each of the programmes has rules and arrangements governing them and my Department has controls in place in relation to all of its programmes to secure the prudent management of its funds and the operation of its schemes. The programmes...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (3 Dec 2008)

John Curran: My Department funds, and in some cases administers, a range of programmes to enable members of communities to be active participants in identifying and meeting their own development needs, working alongside the Statutory Agencies and others involved in local development initiatives. Details of the various programmes, measures and schemes operated by my Department are available on my...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (3 Dec 2008)

John Curran: As the Deputy is aware, there are a number of Departments and agencies involved in the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy. However, the level of State funding on drug-related issues can be difficult to estimate as the costs associated with services provided by An Garda Síochána, the Prison Service, the HSE and others deal with drug misuse as part of their wider daily services....

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

John Curran: Before discussing the amendments, in an effort to be helpful I wish to make some opening comments. The Second Stage debate took place in the House recently and a number of points were raised. Some of them will be addressed in the amendments before the House today. However, a couple of other items were raised, either in this House or in the Dáil, and I wish to inform Members of my...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

John Curran: It is not a speech. I am making it up as I go along.