Results 10,001-10,020 of 14,127 for speaker:David Stanton

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff Recruitment (28 May 2019)

David Stanton: The Direct Provision system encompasses the range of State services including accommodation, food, health, education and child and family services directly provided to international protection applicants through all the relevant Government Departments and Agencies. While the child and family post remains vacant, RIA staff work in close liaison with Tusla on all relevant child and family...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: EU Directives (28 May 2019)

David Stanton: Directive 2013/33/EU lays down standards for the reception of international protection applicants. Article 21 of the Directive requires Member States, in implementing the Directive, to take into account the specific situation of vulnerable persons, and Article 22 provides for the assessment of the special needs of vulnerable persons. Vulnerable persons include minors, unaccompanied minors,...

Seanad: Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (29 May 2019)

David Stanton: I am delighted to be in the Seanad for the debate on this important legislation. As I said on Second Stage, the Bill seeks to address certain deficiencies with regard to the conduct of gaming and lottery activities regulated under the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. Pending a comprehensive reform of gambling laws, which we are working on, the Bill proposes a number of interim reform measures...

Seanad: Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (29 May 2019)

David Stanton: I again thank Senators for their contributions and acknowledge the sincerity and seriousness by which colleagues here take this significant issue. This Bill is interim legislation. As I have said here previously and in the other House as well, we are working hard on bringing forward a Bill to regulate the entire sector and to set up a gambling regulator. That is a very large piece of work...

Seanad: Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (29 May 2019)

David Stanton: Let me respond to Senator Norris's question. The national lottery is the big one, the sums of money are enormous. The rest of the money goes on prizes, administration and advertising. It is a major advertiser. Senator Mark Daly has acknowledged that in order to offer a betting service in Ireland, one must be licensed. If one is licensed one has to pay taxes and licensing fees. Those...

Seanad: Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (29 May 2019)

David Stanton: The lottery is run by a private company, so it is private. I am not sure whether that information is publicly available. We can endeavour to see if we can get that information. It is a private operation. It is a large successful operation.

Seanad: Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (29 May 2019)

David Stanton: Amendment No. 2 is a textual amendment removing a full stop to reflect the fact that a further definition is being proposed for insertion. Amendment No. 3 is occasioned by section 7 of the Bill, which inserts a new section 19A in the principal Act. In the proposed new section 19A(3)(d) there is a reference to relevant officers. This is based on the comparable provisions in sections...

Seanad: Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (29 May 2019)

David Stanton: I acknowledge the thrust and intention of the Senator's amendment. I have some good news for him. I share with Senators-----

Seanad: Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (29 May 2019)

David Stanton: The Senator will be even more delighted in a minute. I hope we can have a meeting of minds on this. There are deep concerns about the best way to address the issue of harmful gambling, which has an impact on the lives of people who are addicted, on their families and on wider society. There is no doubt that we all share these concerns. I agree that we must seek to better understand the...

Seanad: Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (29 May 2019)

David Stanton: It is being done. It is happening now.

Seanad: Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (29 May 2019)

David Stanton: Yes, it will.

Seanad: Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (29 May 2019)

David Stanton: I take the Senator's point, but significant moneys are already being expended by the Department of Health and my Department on the prevalence study, which does not just relate to gambling, but also drugs. We are serious about this. The Senator is right about the need to measure. The money is being spent and the study is happening right now. As soon as it is ready, it will be published....

Seanad: Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (29 May 2019)

David Stanton: What the Senator is looking for is already happening. There is no need for the amendment. I respectfully ask him to withdraw it. Let us not waste money. Let the work that is under way continue and let us get on with the business.

Seanad: Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (29 May 2019)

David Stanton: It is happening.

Seanad: Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (29 May 2019)

David Stanton: There is a risk that we could double the money to do the same thing.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (30 May 2019)

David Stanton: The Reception and Integration Agency in my Department is responsible for the procurement and management of accommodation and ancillary services for persons in the protection process. All accommodation centres for those persons seeking protection, whether State-owned or privately owned, are operated by commercial companies. There are currently 39 accommodation centres being operated under the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Irish Prison Service (11 Jun 2019)

David Stanton: I thank the Deputy for raising these very serious issues this evening. I also wish to convey the apologies of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, who cannot be here because he is dealing with the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017 in the Seanad as we speak. However, he will note with great interest what the Deputy has just said. As the Deputy will be aware, the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Irish Prison Service (11 Jun 2019)

David Stanton: I will bring these matters to the attention of the Minister and assure the Deputy that he will treat them as seriously as he is treating the report he received from the Inspector of Prisons recently. He intends to publish that report as soon as possible. I am advised that there are policies and processes in place to deal with many of the issues raised by the Deputy. The financial...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (11 Jun 2019)

David Stanton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 299 and 366 together. The Deputy will appreciate that crime prevention and investigation, including in relation to the involvement of children in crime, are operational matters for An Garda Síochána in the first instance. That being said, I share the Deputy's concern that we do all that we can to prevent children and young people from coming...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Youth Diversion Projects (11 Jun 2019)

David Stanton: In 2018, my Department provided €13,752,726 in grant funding which covered the full year costs of 105 Garda Youth Diversion Projects operating nationwide. A further €2,829,882 in grant funding was provided to support a range of other activities, including project work relating to Local Drugs Task Forces, pilot mentoring initiatives and measures to support training and best...