Results 10,201-10,220 of 14,127 for speaker:David Stanton

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (25 Sep 2019)

David Stanton: I can inform the Deputy that the law regulating the licensing of gaming machines is set out in Part III of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. In that Part, licensing requires a local authority resolution, a District Court certificate and a licence, upon payment of the relevant fees, issued by the Revenue Commissioners. The Minister for Justice and Equality has no role in this process, apart...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Quality (25 Sep 2019)

David Stanton: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir Ó Céidigh as ucht an t-ábhar seo a ardú inniu. I thank Senator Ó Céidigh for raising this issue today and giving me an opportunity to discuss the quality of our bathing water, specifically in Galway Bay. The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, sends his apologies for not being...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Quality (25 Sep 2019)

David Stanton: On the Senator's point regarding cruise ships, my guess is that the matter falls under the regulations and controls governing cruise ships. We will get the relevant information to the Senator. Investment in wastewater infrastructure is prioritised in the Irish Water strategic funding plan, with capital expenditure on wastewater projects expected to be in the region of €1.9 billion...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Dementia Strategy (25 Sep 2019)

David Stanton: The Minister of State is otherwise engaged and sends his apologies. I will take this matter.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Dementia Strategy (25 Sep 2019)

David Stanton: I thank Senator Humphreys for raising this matter and I acknowledge his sincerity and interest in the area, as well as the work he has done. The Minister of State, Deputy Daly, wanted to be here but he is currently before the select committee and sends his apologies. As a response to the increasing number of people with dementia, the Government launched the Irish national dementia strategy...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Dementia Strategy (25 Sep 2019)

David Stanton: I acknowledge what the Senator said and I believe all of us have experience of this. Good friends of mine are also affected and we all agree with what the Senator said. I commend him and encourage him to continue fighting. We will work with him on it. The national dementia strategy matches with much of what Sláintecare aims to deliver and has a strong emphasis on creating a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Respite Care Services (25 Sep 2019)

David Stanton: I thank the Senator for raising this matter which I am taking on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, who, unfortunately, is unable to attend. If I do not have all the answers to the Senator's questions, I will ask the Minister of State to provide them directly to him. This is a very important issue and I have been given the opportunity, on behalf of the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Respite Care Services (25 Sep 2019)

David Stanton: The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, is very much aware of the importance of access to planned respite which ensures people with disabilities receive opportunities to socialise. It facilitates families to receive a break from caring, preserve the family unit and provide stability. Respite services are an important part of a range of services that support people with disabilities...

Seanad: Blasphemy (Abolition of Offences and Related Matters) Bill 2019: Second Stage (25 Sep 2019)

David Stanton: It gives me great pleasure to be with Senators to present the Blasphemy (Abolition of Offences and Related Matters) Bill 2019. It is always a privilege to come before this House to advance new legislative proposals, and I am particularly happy to be here today to propose legislation that is intended to give effect to the outcome of a referendum to amend the Constitution. Senators will...

Seanad: Blasphemy (Abolition of Offences and Related Matters) Bill 2019: Second Stage (25 Sep 2019)

David Stanton: I agree with the Leas-Chathaoirleach that the debates in the Seanad are always very constructive, thoughtful, useful and welcome. I sincerely thank the Members present for their considered contributions and their views on this Bill in particular. I thank everybody for their co-operation in making extra time available to deal with all Stages of the Bill today. Deputy Ned O’Sullivan...

Seanad: Blasphemy (Abolition of Offences and Related Matters) Bill 2019: Second Stage (25 Sep 2019)

David Stanton: We should call that out for what it is. I welcome the recent support of, and remarks by, certain religious figures who have called that out for what it is and expressed their disgust that in some instances people have used religion as an excuse for not helping people who badly need our help and support. I encourage more people from all spheres of society to call out such behaviour for what...

Seanad: Blasphemy (Abolition of Offences and Related Matters) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (25 Sep 2019)

David Stanton: I do, absolutely.

Seanad: Blasphemy (Abolition of Offences and Related Matters) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (25 Sep 2019)

David Stanton: On that last point, that is under active consideration. I thank the Senator for her support and her ongoing commitment to this area, which is something we are taking very seriously. I hope to be in a position before the end of the year to come here to present some ideas and proposals in that whole area, which is of great importance. On the international dimension, which I mentioned at the...

Seanad: Blasphemy (Abolition of Offences and Related Matters) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (25 Sep 2019)

David Stanton: Just one.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seeker Accommodation (26 Sep 2019)

David Stanton: The International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) division of my Department, formerly theReception and Integration Agency (RIA), offers accommodation and related services to anyone claiming international protection who is without sufficient means to support themselves while their claim is being examined. There is no obligation on anyone to accept the offer of accommodation and not...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parental Leave (1 Oct 2019)

David Stanton:  As the Deputy will be aware, on 23 April 2019, the Government announced that it had approved the priority drafting of the Parental Leave and Benefit Bill 2019. The proposed legislation will provide for two weeks of parental leave and benefit for all new parents in employment or self-employment in respect of babies born on or after 1 November 2019. This will facilitate parents in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (1 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: I can confirm to the Deputy that all applicants for international protection who are residents of accommodation centres are there voluntarily. The offer of accommodation and related services to applicants is just that - an offer. There is no obligation on any applicant to accept that offer and there is no restriction on their freedom of movement throughout the State. Some applicants...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (1 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: The European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 came into effect from 30 June 2018. One of the key provisions of the regulations was to give broader access to the labour market for International Protection applicants.  Eligible applicants can apply to the Labour Market Access Unit (LMAU) of the Immigration Service of my Department, for a labour market permission. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (1 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: I must inform the Deputy that it is not possible to accurately determine the number of legal cases taken by families or individuals who are accommodated in a direct provision centre. I can say that presently there are 460 Judicial Reviews against the Department of Justice and Equality taken by applicants who are entitled to access direct provision if they so wish.  These...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (1 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: I am informed by officials in the Immigration Service of my Department that, as of 31 August 2019, 479 people with a Protection status grant, being either Refugee or Subsidiary Protection status, were residing in accommodation centres provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service.  The spending review on Direct Provision published on 15 August 2019, showed that last...